Diamond Sales Surged 49% for Alrosa in 2021
Together, rough and polished sales topped $4 billion, fueled by consistent consumer demand for diamond jewelry.

The mining company reported late last week that fourth-quarter sales of rough and polished diamonds amounted to $895 million ($844 million in rough and $51 million in polished), down 27 percent from $1.22 billion in the prior-year period.
Alrosa attributed the drop to being up against a strong Q4 2020—diamond sales picked up midway through 2020 after the initial COVID lockdowns eased—and some December sales shifting to January.
For the full year, sales were up 49 percent, topping $4 billon, including $3.98 billion in rough sales and $192 million in polished.
In volume terms, fourth-quarter diamonds sales were down 45 percent year-over-year to 9.4 million carats due the strength of Q4 2020 and Alrosa having “minimum levels” of rough diamond inventory available for sale.
Industry analyst Edahn Golan observed on social media that high demand coupled with lower-than-usual production resulted in Alrosa’s 2021 sales and inventories nearly aligning, which is “uncharacteristic” for the miner.
ALROSA tends to hold inventories that are double its sales. This allows it to build consistent assortments.
— Edahn Golan (@edahn) January 21, 2022
In 2021, ALROSA’s sales and inventories were near fully aligned. This is a result of a lower than usual production against very high demand. Very uncharacteristic. pic.twitter.com/luE5in2PCi
Revenue per-carat from gem-quality diamonds was $124/carat, up 36 percent year-over-year. For the full year, revenue per carat totaled $128, up 17 percent due to higher prices and changes in the sales mix.
Alrosa’s diamond production rose too, both in the fourth quarter and on the year.
Fourth-quarter production was up 29 percent due to ore processing volume growth at Severalmaz and Aikhal, and a higher grade at the underground International diamond mine.
For the year, production was up 8 percent, reaching 32.4 million carats, due primarily to the V. Munskoye and Nyurba divisions.
Commenting on the market, Alrosa noted that consumer sentiment remained strong during the holiday season, with reports suggesting U.S. jewelers experienced their best holiday season in years.
Polished diamond prices rose in November and December on the back of stable orders from the United States while demand for rough diamonds is greater than the supply, which is a “boon” for rough prices, Alrosa said.
The Latest

Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.

Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.

The retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.


Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Around 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.