To be fair, it’s not just the Australian dollar that has appreciated versus the US Dollar over this time period. Since early May, the US Dollar index (which measures the value of the US dollar versus a basket of currencies), has fallen from 99.65 to 93.48, a decline of just over 6%.

This weakness in the USD has been caused by a number of factors, including the political uncertainty in Washington, an escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and finally, a slowdown in key economic variables. Combined, these factors have many wondering how much higher the Federal Reserve will be able raise interest rates in the coming months.

The RBA has also contributed to the recent strength of the Australian dollar. In the minutes that accompanied their latest board meeting, they discussed the fact that they thought the long-term neutral cash rate in Australia was 3.5%, which is a full 2% higher than the current rate of interest.

This, coupled with a renewed rally in the price of iron ore, which has appreciated by nearly 30% in a matter of months, have been the major drivers of the recent AUD rally.

Going forward, whilst the AUD could go up a little more short-term, it’s still likely to fall in the coming months and years, as the iron-ore rally is likely to prove temporary. More importantly, whilst they’d prefer not too, there is still huge scope for the RBA to actually cut interest rates in the coming months and years, something they’ll be forced to do if inflation and wage pressures remain constrained.

All up, this recent rally in the AUD should be treated as a gift for Australian investors looking to internationalise a part of their portfolio through investments into foreign currency denominated assets like investment diamonds.

Image Credit: Copyright © 2017 Rio Tinto

In the 33-year history of the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender there have been less than 20 carats of Fancy Red certified diamonds sold.

Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson said “The Argyle Everglow™ represents rarity within rarity and will drive global demand from collectors and connoisseurs in search of the incomparable.”

The 2017 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender is named ‘Custodians of Rare Beauty’ in honour of its rich provenance and honourable pedigree. The 58 diamonds in the Tender weigh a total of 49.39 carats – including four Fancy Red diamonds, four Purplish Red diamonds, two Violet diamonds, and one Blue diamond.

The collection comprises five “hero” diamonds selected for their unique beauty and named to ensure there is a permanent record of their contribution to the history of the world’s most important diamonds.

The five ‘Hero’ diamonds of the Argyle 2017 Signature Tender. Image Credit: Copyright © 2017 Rio Tinto

The Perth Mint announced the sale of The Australian Trilogy 2017 1 Kilogram coin collection, which describes the pieces as “an incomparable combination of precious metals and rare natural fancy coloured diamonds unearthed from the Argyle Diamond Mine in the east Kimberley Region of Western Australia”.

Image Credit: The Perth Mint 2017

The three coins are gold, platinum and rose gold and portray Australia’s native animals, the kookaburra, kangaroo and koala, each set with the rarest pink and violet diamonds exclusively sourced from the Argyle Diamond Mine within its design.

“This coveted collection of diamond studded gold and platinum coins has raised the bar on the concept of ‘unique collectable’, exemplifying the quality craftsmanship for which The Perth Mint and Argyle Pink Diamonds are renowned,” said Perth Mint CEO Richard Hayes.

The collection was unveiled last month at the Mint by Western Australia premier Mark McGowan but only just sold to an anonymous Asian collector.

“In a convergence of colour and light, this extraordinary collectable embodies the essence of the Australian outback — its unique wildlife, rural landscapes and stunning natural treasures,” the Perth Mint said.

“While several discerning parties expressed interest in purchasing the rare treasure, it was sold via Glajz-THG Pte Ltd.”

The Singapore based company specialises in rare gemstones and luxury jewellery.

Image Credit: The Perth Mint 2017

Image Credit: AAP

“The prompt sale of The Australian Trilogy again highlights the premium collectors place on exclusive items, which is what we also found with the sale of the Kimberley Treasure $1 million coin in 2016,” Mr Hayes continued.
The collection will remain on display until July 31 at the Perth Mint.

A $1.8 million coin trilogy boasting rare violet & pink diamonds has been unveiled at the Perth Mint with international buyers already showing interest in the unique collection.

The Australian Trilogy is comprised of three one-kilogram coins struck from gold, platinum and rose gold, with each featuring either a pink, purple-pink or violet diamond, which were unearthed at Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Each of the precious metals coins has either a pink, purple-pink or violet diamond, which were unearthed at Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine.

One of the coins, made 99.99% of gold, portrays two kookaburras on a wooden fence looking at a 0.47-carat round brilliant cut fancy deep purple-pink diamond.

The kangaroo coin, crafted from 99.95% pure platinum, depicts the marsupial in an outback plain with a 0.46-carat emerald-cut fancy dark grey-violet diamond.

And the 91.7% rose gold koala coin depicts the animal beneath a eucalyptus tree beside a 0.58-carat emerald-cut fancy intense pink diamond.

The Perth Mint will only ever release one of The Australian Trilogy 2017 Collection, said Rio Tinto in a statement.

The Trilogy is selling for a cool $1.8 million and will be on display in The Perth Mint Shop throughout June, unless sold prior.

The 2016 Kimberley Treasure coin, valued at $1 million, sold to an international buyer within 48 hours.