IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
SourcingSep 01, 2015
In 2014, Russia was world’s No. 1 diamond producer
Data for 2014 published recently by the Kimberley Process shows that the Russian Federation topped Botswana in diamond production last year, in both volume and value terms.
Russia, whose diamonds are mined primarily by Alrosa, produced more than 38 million carats of diamonds valued at nearly $4 billion last year, more than any other country on Earth. (File photo courtesy of Alrosa)
New York--In recent years, executives at Russia’s major diamond mining company, Alrosa, have made no secret of the fact that they are looking to become the world’s No. 1 producer, overtaking rival De Beers.
According to rough diamond production, import and export figures for 2014 recently released by the Kimberley Process (KP), that time is nearing.
The Russian Federation mined 38.3 million carats of diamonds worth $3.73 billion in 2014, compared with Botswana, which mined 24.7 million carats worth $3.65 billion.
While Russia’s larger quantity of goods ultimately added up to a higher value, Botswana still mined more valuable stones on average. According to the KP statistics, the value per carat of Russia’s diamonds was $97.47 while Botswana’s came in at $147.87.
As industry analyst Edahn Golan noted in a blog post published last week, part of the reason for Russia’s rise to the top is related to the differences between the companies behind the countries’ diamond production, Alrosa and DeBeers, which mines nearly all of Botswana’s diamonds.
Alrosa, Golan explained, is backed by Gokhran, the government-run precious metals and gems repository. It can keep mining diamonds and selling them to Gokhran even when global demand slows down.
De Beers, on the other hand, is owned by Anglo American, a publicly traded mining company. Beholden to shareholders, De Beers reduces production to cut costs when its clients aren’t buying as much rough.
Together, Russia and Botswana account for approximately half of world diamond supply, in both volume and value terms.
According to the KP’s statistics, the world’s third-largest diamond producer in volume terms is the Democratic Republic of Congo, though that the value of that nation’s diamonds lags far behind the world’s fourth-largest producer, Canada.
In 2014, the DRC mined 15.7 million carats of goods valued at $136.5 million. The average value per carat was $8.72.
Canada, meanwhile, produced 12 million carats of diamonds worth $2 billion. The average value per carat was much higher at $166.78.
The world’s fifth-largest producer in volume terms was Australia, which mined 9.3 million carats of diamonds worth $304.3 million. The average value per carat there was $32.76.
Other countries that contributed significantly to the world’s diamond supply in 2014 were Angola (8.8 million carats worth $1.32 billion, average value per carat of $149.86) and South Africa (7.4 million carats worth $1.22 billion, average value per carat of $164.76),
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
the KP’s statistics show.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
