UK Sanctions Russian Diamond Miner Alrosa
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced 65 new sanctions Thursday.
On Thursday, U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced 65 new sanctions against Russian entities and individuals, targeting strategic industries, banks, and business elites the U.K. views as aiding Russia’s invasion.
Alrosa mined 32.4 million carats of in 2021, accounting for nearly 30 percent of global supply, with sales topping $4 billion. The Russian government holds a 33 percent stake in the company.
In addition to Alrosa, the U.K.’s sanctions included six banks and individuals like billionaire oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler; Herman Gref, CEO of Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank; and Polina Kovaleva, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s stepdaughter.
The Foreign Secretary said the U.K. has now sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and businesses since the invasion began.
“All those sanctioned today will have their assets in the U.K. frozen, which means no U.K. citizen or company can do business with them, and individuals subject to travel bans are also prohibited from traveling to or from the U.K.,” Truss said in a statement.
U.S. sanctions aimed at the Russian diamond industry started with Alrosa and its CEO, Sergey Ivanov Jr., on Feb. 25.
Those sanctions didn’t freeze Alrosa’s assets or completely bar U.S. companies from doing business with Alrosa, but they did make it complicated.
The U.S. tightened the noose on March 11, banning the import of rough diamonds from Russia as well as finished diamonds cut and polished in the country.
Diamonds cut and polished elsewhere can still be imported into the United States, but the Jewelers Vigilance Committee said when the ban was announced that the trade should proceed with “extreme caution” when it comes to goods from Russia.
It also noted it is likely the U.S. government will ramp up sanctions in the future so that even diamonds cut and polished elsewhere are barred from import into the U.S.
The European Union, so far, has only prohibited the export of luxury goods valued at more than €300 (about $330) to Russia, including diamonds and jewelry, but has not put restrictions in place regarding the import of Russian diamonds.
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre did not send comment in response to an email from National Jeweler inquiring about its stance on Russian goods and how it is advising traders on the matter.
Media reports indicate the city’s diamond trade is concerned about the impact EU sanctions could have on business. According to The Brussels Times, more than €1 billion of Russian diamonds passed through Antwerp in 2020.
AWDC spokesperson Tom Neys is quoted as saying to the Gazet van Antwerpen: “Sanctions can have a significant impact on the diamond business. It is a blow that should hurt Russia, but there is a chance that we do more damage to ourselves. The Russians can easily trade their diamonds with non-EU countries.”
Israel and India haven’t imposed any sanctions on Russia, meaning its diamonds can still be imported there.
Neither India’s GJEPC nor the Israel Diamond Institute responded to an email inquiry from National Jeweler asking about their current stance on Russian diamonds and trading.
The Latest
It’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America
They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
Sellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.
The celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.