The Argyle diamond mine may have closed, but a new market for its rare East Kimberley gems has opened with the first public tender of Argyle pink diamonds this week.

Over the next week, members of the public have the chance to get their hands on 36 previously owned Argyle pinks from across Australia as part of diamond technology start-up yourdiamonds.com’s first secondary market diamond sale.

The collection of pre-owned stones is estimated to fetch a combined value of up to $18m, with the highest value diamond — a two carat round brilliant cut stone — tipped to sell for up to $2.5m.