SourcingJul 07, 2021
Alrosa Introduces New Nanotechnology to Trace Its Diamonds SourcingJul 21, 2021
Alrosa’s First-Half Diamond Sales Top $2B
Sales are more than double what they were at this point last year and up 31 percent compared with 2019.
Alrosa’s rough diamond sales totaled 11.4 million carats in the second quarter and are at 27 million carats year-to-date. The diamond miner is pacing ahead of both 2020 and 2019 due to continued strong demand for diamond jewelry.
Moscow—Alrosa’s diamond sales continue to pace ahead of both 2020 and 2019 as the demand for diamond jewelry remains strong in the United States and China, and begins to rebound in Europe as restrictions are lifted.
The diamond miner reported earlier this week that it sold 11.4 million carats of rough diamonds in the second quarter.
That is down from 15.5 million carats in a busy first quarter but up exponentially when compared with 634,000 carats in the second quarter 2020, when COVID-19 brought the diamond market to a halt.
Year-to-date, rough diamond sales have totaled 27 million carats, nearly three times what Alrosa had sold by this point last year and ahead of 2019 as well, when sales at the halfway point of the year totaled 18.9 million carats.
Proceeds from rough and polished diamond sales in Q2 reached $1.18 billion, up 1 percent quarter-over-quarter and 14 percent year-over-year.
Year-to-date, rough and polished diamond sales have hit $2.34 billion, more than twice what they were at this point last year and up 31 percent compared with $1.79 billion in 2019.
Production in the second quarter totaled 7 million carats, down 8 percent quarter-over-quarter, due mainly to the seasonal processing of low-grade gravels, but up 22 percent year-over-year.
Year-to-date, production is up 6 percent year-over-year to 14.5 million carats, as Alrosa was cutting diamond output last year.
Compared to 2019, however, production so far this year is down.
Alrosa mined 17.6 million carats in the first half of 2019, with the launch of production at the V. Munskoye deposit, increased output at Udachny underground, and increased ore processing at the Botuobinskaya pipe all helping to boost diamond output.
Related stories will be right here …
The diamond miner reported earlier this week that it sold 11.4 million carats of rough diamonds in the second quarter.
That is down from 15.5 million carats in a busy first quarter but up exponentially when compared with 634,000 carats in the second quarter 2020, when COVID-19 brought the diamond market to a halt.
Year-to-date, rough diamond sales have totaled 27 million carats, nearly three times what Alrosa had sold by this point last year and ahead of 2019 as well, when sales at the halfway point of the year totaled 18.9 million carats.
Proceeds from rough and polished diamond sales in Q2 reached $1.18 billion, up 1 percent quarter-over-quarter and 14 percent year-over-year.
Year-to-date, rough and polished diamond sales have hit $2.34 billion, more than twice what they were at this point last year and up 31 percent compared with $1.79 billion in 2019.
Production in the second quarter totaled 7 million carats, down 8 percent quarter-over-quarter, due mainly to the seasonal processing of low-grade gravels, but up 22 percent year-over-year.
Year-to-date, production is up 6 percent year-over-year to 14.5 million carats, as Alrosa was cutting diamond output last year.
Compared to 2019, however, production so far this year is down.
Alrosa mined 17.6 million carats in the first half of 2019, with the launch of production at the V. Munskoye deposit, increased output at Udachny underground, and increased ore processing at the Botuobinskaya pipe all helping to boost diamond output.
“Jewelry demand remains strong in all key markets,” Alrosa said in a release announcing its Q2 results.
“At the same time, miners’ rough diamond inventories hit rock-bottom levels as supply structurally dropped [and] … [the] midstream is also witnessing a decline in the inventories of rough and polished diamonds.”
Demand for rough diamonds outpaced supply in Q2 amid the recovery in India—where factories are humming again following the surge of COVID cases in the spring—and continued demand from the United States and China.
Alrosa said the supply-demand imbalance is driving up rough diamond prices.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
