The one-of-a-kind piece was designed by the Royal Jeweller, Asprey of London, and is encrusted with 178 rare Argyle pink diamonds, making up almost 20 carats. The piece recognises the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
“In terms of provenance, this will go down in history as one of the most important pink diamond creations that ever existed,” said Linneys creative director, Alan Linney. “The tiara truly captures a moment in time and represents an extraordinary period that will never be repeated.”
There is an estimated eight years of production remaining at the Argyle Mine, and with around 90 per cent of the world’s pink diamonds coming from this one pit in the Kimberley, the tiara is a rarity unlikely to be seen again.
The piece has been on tour around Australia since July last year as the centre piece of the Objects of Desire collection, and has moved from Linneys’ showroom in Burswood to Westfield Sydney for public display.
Linney’s chief executive officer David Fardon said after the company had displayed the tiara twice they felt it was an iconic piece of Australian jewellery so made the decision to purchase the piece themselves.
The piece will be on display at Westfield throughout April and pending any prospective interested buyers would be a part of the company’s marketing program throughout 2012 in their locations in Sydney, Perth and Broome.
A full page advertisement appeared in the Australian Financial Review’s Luxury Magazine on the weekend.
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Australia's $20 million, 12 carat pink diamond