AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
SourcingAug 23, 2019
Alrosa’s ‘Spirit of the Rose’ Could Sell for $60M+
The 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink was cut from a nearly 28-carat rough diamond unearthed in 2017.
Alrosa cut the 14.83-carat “Spirit of the Rose” diamond from a 27.85-carat chunk of rough unearthed in 2017. It is a fancy vivid purple-pink with IF clarity, excellent polish and very good symmetry.
Moscow—It is a diamond that will hold records in Russia for a long time.
The “Spirit of the Rose” is a 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond cut from the largest piece of pink rough ever mined in Russia.
It is the biggest natural colored diamond classified as a fancy vivid purple-pink ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
And it is expected to sell for $60 million or more when Alrosa puts it up for auction, making it the most expensive Russian diamond in history.
Colored diamond expert Eden Rachminov called the Rose “an iconic Russian gem.”
“A large fancy vivid purple-pink, internally flawless, with perfect visual characteristics such as this one enters the market literally once in a generation. The stone has the most desirable pink undertone dispersed perfectly and looks much bigger in relation to its actual weight,” he said. “Its beauty overcomes the important pink diamonds sold at auction in the last decade … I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to hold this pink wonder in my hands.” 
The genesis of the Spirit of the Rose was a 27.85-carat rough diamond mined by Alrosa subsidiary Almazy Anabara in 2017.
Almazy Anabara mines 16 alluvial deposits in the very north of Yakutia, a vast republic in far eastern Russia where winter temperatures regularly average about 35 degrees below zero.
The geological structure of the deposits there make Almazy Anabara the company’s top producer of colored diamonds, a market in which Alrosa is looking to claim a larger stake with sales of not just rough but finished diamonds that are cut and polished in Russia.
The miner held its first auction of polished natural colored diamonds last September.
The Spirit of the Rose, which has its own website, is one of three outstanding colored diamonds the company will be selling as part of a collection called “The Spectacle.”
The Spectacle also includes “Firebird,” a 20.69-carat fancy vivid yellow, and a third stone that has yet to be revealed.
The Firebird was cut in Russia from a 34.17-carat yellow rough diamond (pictured above) also recovered by Almazy Anabara in 2017.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The stones made National Jeweler’s “Best of” list for the year, sharing the title of “Best Diamond Discovery.”
Alrosa cut the Spirit of the Rose at its factory in Moscow, taking a year to determine exactly how it wanted to cleave the nearly 28-carat pink rough.
Eventually, the company’s cutters opted for an oval shape in order to maximize the stone’s color while retaining as much of its size as possible. (The yield on the rough was about 53 percent, which Alrosa said was “optimal.”)
The company said it is currently considering the terms and conditions for the auction of the diamond and plans to announce more details on where and when it will be sold next month.
Alrosa cut the Spirit of the Rose at its factory in Moscow, taking a year to determine exactly how it wanted to cleave the nearly 28-carat pink rough.
Eventually, the company’s cutters opted for an oval shape in order to maximize the stone’s color while retaining as much of its size as possible. (The yield on the rough was about 53 percent, which Alrosa said was “optimal.”)
The company said it is currently considering the terms and conditions for the auction of the diamond and plans to announce more details on where and when it will be sold next month.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
