January 11, 2013 – Rio Tinto’s iconic Argyle pink diamonds are the focus of celebrations in Jaipur, capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Known as The Pink City, Jaipur was the fitting location to contest the inaugural Argyle Pink Diamond Cup, a polo match between the Royal Jaipur Polo team and the Western Australian polo team. A public event, hundreds of local people watched the keenly fought match.
According to Nik Senapati, Managing Director of Rio Tinto India,
“We are delighted to be in Jaipur to present the inaugural Argyle Pink Diamond Cup, which is a reflection of the enduring relationship between Western Australia’s Argyle Diamond Mine and the Indian diamond industry. This relationship has developed into a formidable competitive advantage that has led to significant employment opportunities in both countries.”
Head of the Jaipur Royal Family, Maharaj Narendra Singh captained the winning Royal Jaipur team that played the match in the presence of Her Highness Maharani Padmini Devi, the acting Australian High Commissioner to India and senior Rio Tinto executives. The Argyle Pink Diamond Cup was designed and manufactured by one of India’s finest designers and jewellery retailers, Nirav Modi.
The Jaipur Royal Family later hosted an invitation-only dinner at their City Palace where heirloom pieces of Argyle pink diamond jewellery were showcased and worn by Pallavi Sharda, a rising Australian Bollywood star.
Argyle pink diamonds are the most highly valued gems in the world, both because of their richness of colour and their rarity. Through history, since the discovery of diamonds in India thousands of years ago, pink diamonds have been treasured by royal families for their nobility and rarity. According to Jean-Marc Lieberherr, Chief Commercial Officer for Rio Tinto Diamonds,
“Diamonds are sacred to India and Argyle pink diamonds are symbolic to Australia and so we are excited to be able to showcase Australia’s finest export in this quintessential Indian setting. This has also provided an opportunity to look back at the 30 year relationship we have enjoyed in India, and look forward to the next few decades as India continues on its trajectory to be the powerhouse of the global diamond industry.”
The Argyle Pink Diamond Cup is part of the OzFest programme, the biggest Australian cultural festival ever held in India.
About Argyle Pink Diamonds
Pink diamonds, produced at Rio Tinto’s Argyle Mine in Western Australia, are highly coveted as the world’s most sought after gems. The Argyle Diamond Mine produces more than 90 per cent of the world’s rare pink diamonds, which are sold in a broad range of colours and sizes to an international customer base. Pink diamonds’ value is directly related to their rarity and typically command prices far in excess of white diamonds. In the world of luxury products, Argyle pink diamonds are likened to works of art, rare books and unique icons. Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds business is located in Perth, Western Australia, alongside its cutting and polishing factory. Website: www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
About Rio Tinto Diamonds
Rio Tinto is one of the world’s major diamond producers through its 100 per cent control of the Argyle mine in Australia, 60 per cent of the Diavik mine in Canada and a 78 per cent interest in the Murowa mine in .Zimbabwe Rio Tinto also owns 100% of its advanced diamond project in Madhya Pradesh. Rio Tinto’s share of the production from its diamond mines is sold through its sales and marketing headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. Rio Tinto Diamonds is a leading supporter of the Kimberley Process as well as a founding member of Responsible Jewellery Council. Website: www.riotintodiamonds.com