MajorsMar 15, 2022
How the Jewelry Industry Is Helping UkrainePolicies & IssuesMar 07, 2022
Alrosa Steps Down from Responsible Jewellery Council Board
The company is also suspending its membership and halting financial support of the Natural Diamond Council.
Alrosa has stepped down as vice chair of the Responsible Jewellery Council and withdrawn its financial support of the Natural Diamond Council. The company, along with a number of key Russian banks, remains under U.S. sanctions as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues.
New York—Alrosa is pulling back from two major industry organizations as the Russian assault on Ukraine continues, severely limiting its ability to market and sell diamonds worldwide.
The Responsible Jewellery Council announced via its website Friday that Alrosa has voluntarily stepped down as vice chair of RJC, temporarily leaving the board of directors.
“Like so many, we are deeply saddened by the geopolitical situation in connection with the Ukraine crisis,” RJC Chair David Bouffard said.
“The RJC team will support our 1,500 international members with guidance to comply to all applicable sanctions, together with the RJC code of practices requirements on due diligence within their supply chains. The RJC will continue to closely monitor the situation in accordance with international regulations and update its members with guidance as it evolves.”
Alrosa, which has said little publicly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine about two weeks ago, communicated its resignation to the board during a meeting on March 3.
However, the company is still listed as an RJC member on the organization’s website. Its current certification is valid until December 2023.
RJC declined to comment beyond what was provided in its online statement about Alrosa.
Also on Friday, Alrosa and the Natural Diamond Council issued separate statements announcing the diamond miner is suspending its NDC membership and halting all financial contributions to the organization.
The NDC (originally known as the Diamond Producers Association) launched in 2015 to promote natural diamonds worldwide, with an initial minimum annual budget of $6 million.
Initially, the world’s seven largest diamond producers funded DPA, with the three largest producers—Alrosa, De Beers Group and Rio Tinto—contributing more than the four smaller producers, Lucara Diamond Corp., Petra Diamonds, Gem Diamonds and Dominion Diamond Corp.
NDC’s annual allowance more than quadrupled in its first two years, rising to $57 million in 2017, then increasing to $70 million by 2018, according to Rapaport.
NDC declined to comment on the organization’s current annual budget and the impact Alrosa’s withdrawal will have.
Alrosa’s statement on stepping down from the NDC included a quote from NDC CEO David Kellie.
Kellie said, “We understand and respect Alrosa’s decision given the current geopolitical situation. We are confident Alrosa will continue to follow its outlined commitments to being a socially responsible business conducted according to the industry’s best practices and high standards.
“For dozens of years Alrosa has been investing billions of dollars into building and supporting communities around its operations. We wish the company the quickest resolution of all the difficulties encountered.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
