TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
SourcingNov 04, 2019
Alrosa Reports 5% Drop in Rough Diamond Sales in Q3
But the mining company said sales picked up in the second half of the quarter, marking a “turning point” in destocking in the midstream.
Alrosa saw sales drop but production pick up in Q3 due to a new deposit and improved efficiencies at one of its kimberlite pipes. Pictured here is the mining company’s Udachny open-pit mine that consists of two pipes, Udachnaya and Zarnitsa, and is known for its big diamonds. (Photo courtesy of Alrosa)
Moscow—Oversupply in the midstream continues to impact the industry’s diamond miners, though Alrosa said the latter half of Q3 marked a “turning point” in destocking.
The Moscow-based miner reported a 5 percent year-over-year decline in all diamond sales (gem quality and industrial) in the third quarter to 6.4 million carats. Gem-quality rough diamond sales specifically fell 8 percent, as cutters and retailers continued to reduce their respective stocks.
Year-to-date, sales are down 13 percent to 25.3 million carats, mainly due to a 14 percent drop-off in demand for gem-quality rough.
In value terms, sales shrank 37 percent year-over-year to $601 million in the third quarter and are down 34 percent on the year to $2.39 billion.
Weaker demand for diamond jewelry, particularly in the United States and China, caused the decline, Alrosa said, as did the continuing difficulty midstream producers face in securing financing.
Also contributing is consolidation and increasing online sales on the retail end of the business.
There are fewer businesses, and many of those that remain require less stock—either because they are e-tailers or brick-and-mortar retailers that have gotten more efficient with inventory management—which, in turn, means cutting and polishing companies need to buy less rough from miners.
However, Alrosa said rough diamond sales recovered in the latter half of the third quarter, marking a turning point in the scramble to destock and “creating a basis for the market recovery in the future.”
RELATED CONTENT: De Beers’ Production Down 14% as Mines Close, Market SlowsWhile sales were down in the third quarter, Alrosa’s production rose 15 year-over-year to 12.1 million carats, buoyed by mining at a new deposit, V. Munskoye, and increased production at the Botuobinskaya kimberlite pipe.
V. Munskoye is part of the Udachny Division, which also includes the Udachnaya and Zarnitsa pipes and alluvial deposits in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Udachnaya is the kimberlite pipe that just yielded a 232-carat diamond.
Also located in Yakutia, the Botuobinskaya pipe falls under the Nyurba Division, which also includes the Nyurbinskaya pipe and alluvial deposits.
Year-to-date, Alrosa’s production has totaled 29.7 million carats, up 12 percent year-over-year.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
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.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
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.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
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.
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.
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.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
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.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
