Alrosa has started operations at additional kimberlite pipe at its Lomonosov deposit, one of the largest diamond mines in Russia.
The state-run miner said on Tuesday (8 July) that the Karpinsky-2 pipe, one of six at Lomonosov, held more than 40m tonnes of diamond bearing ore.
Its subsidiary, Severalmaz, already mines two other pipes at the site in Arkhangelsk, northwestern Russia – Arkhangelskaya and Karpinsky-1 – and is now mining Karpinsky-2.
Alrosa, currently sanctioned by the G7 nations, said in March that it was suspending production at four low-margin mines – Zapolyarny, Magnitny, Khara-Mas and Ochuos – because of a “deep crisis” in the industry.
It is also selling a large proportion of its output to Gokhran, the state repository of precious metals and gemstones.
Gokhran has historically functioned as a buffer, stockpiling diamonds during market downturns and selling them back when demand recovers, for example, during the 2009 financial crisis.
Moscow investigators on Monday said they сharged an employee of the state-run diamond producer Alrosa, her son and two others in connection with a diamond theft scheme at the company.
Valentina Matyushenkova, an Alrosa employee, is accused of swapping high-value diamonds with cheaper industrial-grade stones between September 2024 and January 2025, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.
Authorities say the stolen diamonds were smuggled to Armenia.
Matyushenkova was caught in the act while attempting to steal a batch of diamonds valued at more than 1.7 million rubles ($21,700), investigators said. Her son, Alexei Matyushenkov, is accused of acting as a middleman.
Two other suspects, Armen Petrosyan and Arman Sahakyan, allegedly transported the stolen stones across the border to Armenia.
A video published by the Kommersant business newspaper showed Matyushenkova confessing to her role in the scheme during questioning. One of the other suspects claimed he was working as a deliveryman at the time of his arrest.
Searches of the suspects’ homes uncovered some 200,000 carats of low-grade industrial diamonds, which investigators say were used to replace the high-quality raw stones.
All four suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison on theft charges and up to seven years for the illicit trafficking of precious stones and metals.
Alrosa has concluded the sale of its 41 per cent share in Catoca, Angola’s state-controlled diamond miner, drawing an end to a 32-year partnership.
It has been acquired by Taadeen, a subsidiary of Oman’s sovereign wealth fund.
The move was announced last November, after Angola’s mineral resources minister Diamantino Azevedo described Alrosa, the sanctioned Russian miner, as a “toxic partner”.
The transfer was formalized on 26 May and leaves Angola’s national diamond company Endiama EP retaining a controlling 59 per cent.
Catoca’s updated website now lists its company shareholder structure as: “Endiama EP (National Diamond Company of Angola) – 59% Taadeen (Subsidiary company of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Oman) – 41%”.
No financial details of the share transfer have been released.
Alrosa acquired 32.8 per cent of Catoca shares in 1992, soon after the country’s long-running civil war came to an end, and increased its stake to 41 per cent in 2018.
Alexei Vladimirovich Moiseev – Deputy Minister of Finance
Russia is joining forces with its ally Belarus to promote jewelry exports to China, the UAE, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia, in response to G7 sanctions.
The collaboration was agreed last Friday (4 April) after Russia’s deputy finance minister Alexei Moiseyev (pictured) met Belarus’s finance minister Yury Seliverstov in the Belarus capital, Minsk.
Both sides discussed further developing e-commerce in jewelry made in Belarus and Russia, as well as the mutual recognition of state standard marks.
The two countries are close trade partners and Belarus has been sanctioned for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“A marketplace for the sale of Belarusian and Russian jewelry on foreign markets is planned to be launched in test mode this year, Moiseyev said, according to BelTA, Belarus’s state news agency.
He said the Eurasian Development Bank, founded jointly by Russia and Kazakhstan, was taking part in the collaboration.
The diamond industry, once a symbol of timeless stability, finds itself in a state of flux as prices for natural diamonds hit multiyear lows, driven by a mix of evolving consumer preferences, geopolitical upheaval, and the meteoric rise of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs), a new study shows.
The reversal of fortunes that followed a surge during the covid-19 pandemic has left industry stakeholders grappling with how to adapt to ensure long-term sustainability, consultancy McKinsey & Company says in its latest report.
During the pandemic, diamond prices rose unexpectedly. Supply chain disruptions and the delay of weddings initially dampened sales, but many consumers stuck at home turned to diamonds as a form of self-care. This led to an unanticipated spike in demand and a sharp rise in prices.
The post-pandemic market has painted a very different picture. As traditional engagement and marriage cycles return and supply chains normalize, prices have tumbled amid changing market dynamics, McKinsey & Co. says.
Ten years ago, young customers were an important segment of the overall demand for precious stones. Today, they seek more affordable and ethical alternatives.
With prices up to 80% lower than mined diamonds, LGDs have swiftly carved out a substantial share of the market, challenging traditional producers, the report shows.
Shifting customer values
Increased awareness of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues has also driven consumers to demand greater transparency and sustainability in diamond sourcing. Many buyers now insist on proof that their diamonds were mined under fair conditions with minimal environmental impact. This shift is particularly pronounced among younger generations, who are reshaping the jewelry market with their purchasing power and values.
Generation Z is leading a wave of change, favouring ethical and customizable products over traditional offerings. Younger buyers are more likely to seek out jewelry that aligns with their values, including fair labor practices and sustainability.
Many are turning to digital platforms for their purchases, with online fine jewelry sales growing significantly. In 2021, the average online purchase of diamond jewellery in the US was $2,204, compared to $2,994 in physical stores, signalling a growing comfort with digital transactions for high-value items.
The trend of self-purchasing is another key shift. Rather than waiting for significant life events like engagements or weddings, many consumers are now buying fine jewelry for themselves.
Industry actors Beers Group and Signet Jewelers launched in October their “Worth the Wait” campaign, aimed at reigniting demand for mined diamonds from youngsters, particularly amid “zillennials”, the microgeneration born between 1993 and 1998.
Geopolitical and gov’t factors
Adding to the industry’s challenges are geopolitical tensions. Sanctions targeting Russian diamonds have disrupted the global supply chain, particularly for larger stones. Russia’s Alrosa, once the world’s top diamond producer by output, has been heavily sanctioned by the US and the European Union, creating regional dislocations.
McKinsey & Company warns that, by March 2025, these restrictions will tighten further, targeting stones of 0.5 carats and above, exacerbating supply chain issues.
The upheaval comes at a time when natural-diamond production is already constrained. Growth in supply is expected to remain sluggish, with an annual increase of just 1–2% through 2027, far below historical trends. Major mining companies are grappling with depleting resources, forcing them to shift from open-pit mining to more expensive underground operations. Companies like De Beers have invested billions to extend the life of their mines, but these efforts are costly and time-consuming.
Government intervention is also reshaping the industry. In diamond-rich regions, including Botswana, public authorities are taking larger stakes in mining operations, emphasizing the need for transparent and sustainable practices.
Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for companies willing to adapt, the consultancy says. Producers can diversify their offerings by incorporating LGDs or recycled diamonds into their portfolios. They can also emphasize the unique, intrinsic value of natural diamonds, appealing to consumers who value rarity and tradition. Investments in sustainability and digital commerce are likely to pay dividends, as consumers increasingly demand ethical and seamless shopping experiences.
The consultants conclude that by embracing innovation and aligning with shifting consumer values, the industry may find a way to shine brightly once more.
Russia’s Alrosa, the world’s top diamond miner by output, has found a 17.4-carat bright yellow gem-quality precious rock at its new Verkhne-Munskoye deposit in Yakutia, which started operations in 2018.
The diamond, recovered in mid-February from the Zapolyarnaya kimberlite pipe, is the first large coloured stone found at the site, the company said.
Alrosa, which did not disclose the estimated value of the diamond, said it would be assessed and evaluated by its experts in coming days.
Diamond miners and traders have been hit hard in the past year by weak market conditions. These factors have taken a major toll on producers of small stones due to an oversupply in that segment.
De Beers reported Thursday its worst set of earnings since Anglo American (LON:AAL) acquired it in 2012.
The world’s No. 1 diamond miner by market cap said demand for rough diamonds from polishers and cutters was weak last year due to the impact of US-China trade tension and the closure of US retail outlets. Many companies in the so-called midstream are struggling to obtain financing, it said.
Alrosa believes the situation is about to change as it’s already seeing the first signs of stabilization in the sector.
Increasing demand for synthetic diamonds has also weighed on prices. Man-made diamonds require less investment than mining natural stones and can offer more attractive margins.
Industry consultant Bain & Co., however, believes that while glut that’s depressing the diamond market will probably be cleared early this year, it will take at least another 12 months for the market to fully recover.
“The industry’s first and strongest opportunity to rebalance and regain growth will be 2021,” said Bain in a report released in December, adding that supply could fall 8% that year.
