Rio Tinto Holds Viewing of Large Rough Diamonds in Israel

Rio Tinto Diamonds has extended their thanks to the Israel Diamond Exchange for their hospitality in hosting the recent Rio Tinto Diamonds Specials Tender .

The tender viewings took place in the Alon Hall overlooking the trading hall, which was refurbished for the event. The display area includes private viewing rooms where potential buyers could examine large rough diamonds from Rio Tinto’s three mines: Argyle in Australia, Diavik in Canada, and Murowa in Zimbabwe. A highlight of the tender is a 74-carat stone from Murowa Diamonds.

The Rio Tinto rough diamonds, all 10+carat rough diamonds, have been accumulated over the past several months and were presented by Rio Tinto Diamonds in Belgium for one week and in Israel for a week.

General Manager Sales, Patrick Coppens said “We had significant interest from Israeli buyers and it made sense to bring the tender to a leading global rough trading centre.”

Mr Coppens thanked the Exchange for the reception he received and said: "Rio Tinto Diamonds would like to thank the Israel Diamond Exchange for their warm hospitality and commend the excellent organization of this event. We acknowledge and thank former IDE president Yair Sahar together with President Shmuel Schnitzer and the whole Israel Diamond Exchange team.”

Israel Diamond Exchange President Shmuel Schnitzer said that, "The Exchange is working, and will continue to work, to bring rough tenders to Israel by leading global mining companies. In recent years, Israel has become a world center for trading rough and we welcome Rio Tinto Diamonds and we will be happy to continue to work with them in the future."