The Authorised Partner program is only open to selected members of the diamond trade and gives them the opportunity to purchase polished Argyle pinks in quarterly allocations, rather than bidding for a limited number of larger stones at the annual Argyle Tender.
Harsh Maheshwari, director Kunming Diamonds, told Jeweller, “Rio Tinto closely evaluates each company before approving them as an Authorised Partner.
"The selection of trade partners is a vigorous and highly considered process, with rarity and limited volumes [of Argyle pink diamonds] meaning that, at present, there are reduced opportunities to extend the existing network."
Maheshwari named "strict adherence to ethical standards, outstanding financial strength and proven demand" as part of the criteria for attaining Authorised Partner status.
He added, “Not only does this [Authorised Partner program] facilitate a better chain of custody, but the increase in credibility and goodwill of our company has added another feather to our cap. We are now part of a network of trade partners who share the same distinguished standards of care and passion for these rare and beautiful stones.”
Patrick Coppens, general manager of sales and marketing for Rio Tinto’s diamonds business, said, “Kunming is an exciting company with a passion for coloured diamonds and a commitment to the highest levels of trust and transparency. We are delighted to welcome them as an Argyle Pink Diamonds Authorised Partner.”
A quarterly allocation of Argyle pink diamonds will enable Kunming to “curate and cater better to retailers, brands, and fine jewellery designers with a more vast selection of pinks,” Maheshwari explained.
Kunming is based in Hong Kong and has traded only in natural colour diamonds since 2002. It began stocking Argyle pinks in 2011 and has an established retailer network in Australia.
The business previously made headlines last year when it purchased the entirety of the Argyle Pink Everlastings Collection, which comprised 64 lots of diamonds across the pink-red spectrum weighing 0.14 carats or less.
The Argyle Mine is scheduled to close at the end of 2020.
More reading:
Colour diamonds: The fairest of them all
Kunming Diamonds brings Argyle Tender pinks to Australia
Results of 2019 Argyle Diamond Tender revealed