SourcingFeb 01, 2022
In Response to Demand, De Beers Ramps Up ProductionSourcingFeb 15, 2022
Supply Constraints Impact Alrosa’s January Sales
The mining company said demand for diamond jewelry continues to be strong, but its sales are “capped by current production levels.”
A shot of the open-pit mine at the Mir pipe in Yakutia, one of Alrosa’s mining sites. The company sold $325 million in diamonds in January and said it is taking steps to get more rough diamonds on the market for future sales. (Photo courtesy of Alrosa)
Moscow—Alrosa’s second half 2021 supply problems have continued into 2022, impacting January sales and prompting the miner to take steps to get more rough diamonds onto the market.
The company announced last week its January sales totaled $325 million, $315 million in rough and $10 million in polished.
That is a 24 percent decline from $430 million in January 2021 but up 28 percent from $254 million in December, with Alrosa noting that some December sales shifted to January.
In a statement, Deputy CEO Evgeny Agureev said midstream demand for diamonds continued in January following a successful holiday season in key markets. One early report for the U.S. market indicated jewelry sales rose 32 percent year-over-year between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 and were up 26 percent when compared with pre-pandemic levels.
But Alrosa continues to grapple with supply problems caused by a confluence of factors, including the increased demand for diamond jewelry in the last two years and mines that have faced various COVID-related obstacles.
“Sales have been capped by current production levels, similar to the situation seen in the second half of 2021,” Agureev said. “Amid limited diamond supply globally, Alrosa continues with its measures to quickly respond to market demand by accelerating pre-sale diamond processing.”
Related stories will be right here …
The company announced last week its January sales totaled $325 million, $315 million in rough and $10 million in polished.
That is a 24 percent decline from $430 million in January 2021 but up 28 percent from $254 million in December, with Alrosa noting that some December sales shifted to January.
In a statement, Deputy CEO Evgeny Agureev said midstream demand for diamonds continued in January following a successful holiday season in key markets. One early report for the U.S. market indicated jewelry sales rose 32 percent year-over-year between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 and were up 26 percent when compared with pre-pandemic levels.
But Alrosa continues to grapple with supply problems caused by a confluence of factors, including the increased demand for diamond jewelry in the last two years and mines that have faced various COVID-related obstacles.
“Sales have been capped by current production levels, similar to the situation seen in the second half of 2021,” Agureev said. “Amid limited diamond supply globally, Alrosa continues with its measures to quickly respond to market demand by accelerating pre-sale diamond processing.”
Alrosa also announced last week it will allow long-term contract holders, which constitute most of its customer base, the chance to buy rough diamonds ahead of schedule though still within their allocations.
The company said it again plans to buy diamonds at the Gokhran auction this month (Gokhran is Russia’s state-owned repository of precious gems and metals) and to hold additional tenders between trading sessions, making the rough diamonds most sought after by cutters available as soon as possible.
“The first quarter of the year is traditionally a period of active rough diamond purchases, as cutters seek to stock up after a holiday season in retail,” Agureev said. “The high season of 2021 was one of the most successful ones in the entire history, as we see robust demand from our customers underpinned by real orders.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
