MajorsApr 04, 2022
Alrosa Suspends RJC MembershipPolicies & IssuesApr 11, 2022
US Ratchets Up Sanctions on Alrosa
Alrosa is now on the Specially Designated Nationals list, meaning U.S. companies need to stop doing business with it now.
Russian diamond miner Alrosa has been put on the Specially Designated Nationals list, effectively blocking U.S. businesses and individuals from doing business with the company.
Washington—The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control expanded sanctions on Alrosa late last week.
The Russian diamond miner was put on the Specially Designated Nationals list, which means its assets are blocked and U.S. businesses and individuals effectively cannot do business with the company.
The designation extends to all entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by Alrosa.
The designation was also given to United Shipbuilding Corporation, a Russian company that constructs the majority of the country’s warships.
“Through these designations, Treasury is cutting off additional sources of support and revenue for the Government of the Russian Federation to wage its unprovoked war against Ukraine,” said the U.S. Treasury Department.
In February, Alrosa and its CEO were sanctioned in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. An executive order March 11 then banned the import of non-industrial Russian diamonds into the United States.
The executive order still allowed for Russian diamonds cut and polished in a different country to be legally imported into the United States, but jewelers were advised to proceed with caution.
A bipartisan group in Congress wrote a letter to the Biden administration and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last week to request this loophole be examined.
Related stories will be right here …
The Russian diamond miner was put on the Specially Designated Nationals list, which means its assets are blocked and U.S. businesses and individuals effectively cannot do business with the company.
The designation extends to all entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by Alrosa.
The designation was also given to United Shipbuilding Corporation, a Russian company that constructs the majority of the country’s warships.
“Through these designations, Treasury is cutting off additional sources of support and revenue for the Government of the Russian Federation to wage its unprovoked war against Ukraine,” said the U.S. Treasury Department.
In February, Alrosa and its CEO were sanctioned in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. An executive order March 11 then banned the import of non-industrial Russian diamonds into the United States.
The executive order still allowed for Russian diamonds cut and polished in a different country to be legally imported into the United States, but jewelers were advised to proceed with caution.
A bipartisan group in Congress wrote a letter to the Biden administration and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last week to request this loophole be examined.
In light of these new sanctions, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee shared updated guidance in a member alert issued Friday.
If a U.S. business has not already stopped doing direct business with Alrosa, it must stop now, JVC said.
“If a U.S. business has goods or funds in-house that Alrosa may have an ongoing interest in (due to a memo/consignment agreement or other contract), those assets are now frozen and the business should seek counsel to determine how to proceed.”
Also, if a U.S. business has an ownership interest in or a relationship with a foreign company that is still doing business with Alrosa—or if that business is owned by a foreign company that has a relationship with Alrosa—it may be at risk of having its assets blocked and should consult an attorney.
The best course of action, said JVC, is for businesses to tell suppliers they will not purchase any goods originating from Alrosa.
“It is not yet clear how OFAC or U.S. Customs will interpret this new designation, but if a U.S. business continues to deal in these goods, even indirectly, they are at risk for encountering issues upon importation or the freezing of assets,” said JVC.
U.S. banks will also have to comply with these new sanctions and likely will ask jewelers for information ensuring compliance.
Sanction violations can lead to significant civil monetary fines, often in the millions of dollars, said JVC, and prison sentences.
Businesses are encouraged to report any potentially unlawful transactions to OFAC.
For more information or assistance, call the OFAC hotline at 1-800-540-6322.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
