CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
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),
the KP’s statistics show.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
