CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
SourcingAug 03, 2017
Alrosa Creates a ‘Dynasty’ Out of 179-Carat Diamond
The highlight of five-stone collection is a 51.38-carat round brilliant D VVS1 diamond.
This is a computer-generated image of the 179-carat “The Romanovs” rough diamond. Its name is a nod to Romanov-era ruler Peter the Great, who launched the development of the country’s diamond deposits and ordered the creation of Russia’s first diamond cutting and polishing factory in the early 18th century.
Moscow--In Russia, The Romanovs have become a dynasty again, so to speak.
This week, Russian diamond mining company Alrosa unveiled the diamonds it cut from a 179-carat piece of rough it unearthed in 2015 and dubbed “The Romanovs.”
All told, the big stone produced five diamonds totaling 76.22 carats, a yield of about 43 percent.
They are slated to be sold individually at a special online auction this fall.
Pavel Vinikhin, director of Diamonds Alrosa, the company’s cutting and polishing division, told National Jeweler on Thursday that Alrosa places the value of the five-stone collection, called “The Dynasty,” around $10 million but might change this following upcoming auction previews in Hong Kong and Israel.
The crowning glory of the collection, a diamond also dubbed “The Dynasty,” is a 51.38-carat round brilliant that is the highest-quality diamond of its size ever cut by Alrosa.
The Gemological Institute of America graded The Dynasty as a D color, VVS1 clarity diamond with a triple excellent cut.
Alrosa has cut and polished diamonds that are bigger.
The largest 57-facet round brilliant diamond cut by Alrosa was 52.26 carats, and the mining company also cleaved the pear-shaped 80.59-carat Star of Vilyuisk.
But neither diamond was of the same color and clarity as The Dynasty.
Alrosa created the five diamonds in the collection at its cutting and polishing facilities in Moscow.
The company said its most experienced cutters worked on whittling down the 179-carat Romanovs diamond, discovered at the Nyurbinskaya kimberlite pipe in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) two years ago.
Because of the high-pressure nature of the job--one mistake on a large, valuable stone like The Romanovs could be very costly--the cutters were put on a week-long leave several times, Alrosa said.
Commenting on the creation of the 51.38-carat diamond specifically, Vinikhin said in a press release: “This stone gives a start to a new stage in the development of Alrosa’s cutting division that will actively develop polishing of extra-large and colored diamonds. The Dynasty demonstrated that we can do it at the highest level. We work a lot on the technique, combine modern technologies with the secrets of jewelers of the Russian Imperial Court.”
The other four stones cut from the rough are named for individuals who played a crucial role in the development of the jewelry industry in Russia.
The Orlovs diamond, a 5.05-carat oval
The second-largest stone in the collection, the 16.67-carat round brilliant Sheremetevs diamond
The 1.73-carat pear-shaped Vorontsovs diamond
The 1.39-carat oval-shaped diamond called The Yusupovs
The second-largest stone is
the 16.67-carat round brilliant Sheremetevs diamond, named for Count Pyotr Sheremetev, a companion of Peter the Great and a senator under Catherine the Great who was a customer of the Russian jewelry houses of his time.
There is also the 5.05-carat oval-shaped Orlovs diamond, named for Count Grigory Orlov, the senator who gave the famous 189.6-carat Orlov Diamond to Empress Catherine II.
The 1.73-carat pear-shaped Vorontsovs is named for the one-time chancellor of the Russian Empire, Count Mikhail Vorontsov, while The Yusupovs, a 1.39-carat oval, is a nod to Prince Nikolai Yusupov, who started his family’s massive jewelry collection.
All four are D color and VVS1 clarity.
The online auction of the Dynasty collection is slated to take place in November. Terms of participation are available on Dynasty.Alrosa.Ru.
There is also the 5.05-carat oval-shaped Orlovs diamond, named for Count Grigory Orlov, the senator who gave the famous 189.6-carat Orlov Diamond to Empress Catherine II.
The 1.73-carat pear-shaped Vorontsovs is named for the one-time chancellor of the Russian Empire, Count Mikhail Vorontsov, while The Yusupovs, a 1.39-carat oval, is a nod to Prince Nikolai Yusupov, who started his family’s massive jewelry collection.
All four are D color and VVS1 clarity.
The online auction of the Dynasty collection is slated to take place in November. Terms of participation are available on Dynasty.Alrosa.Ru.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 02, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier With Ties to Elvis Sells for $7K Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
TrendsMay 01, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: All Eyes on EmeraldsMay’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
