Omar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
8 Miners Missing Following Flood at Diamond Mine
The men have been trapped underground since Friday, when water poured into the underground portion of Alrosa’s Mir mine in Siberia.

Moscow--Eight miners at Alrosa’s Mir diamond mine are still missing following a flood at the mine Friday.
According to Alrosa, a “sharp deterioration in mining and geological conditions” caused an “uncontrolled in-rush of water” into Mir underground, trapping 151 miners.
The mining company immediately launched its emergency response plan and rescued 142 workers within hours of the accident. Another worker, Alisher Ismailovich Mirzaev, was brought to the surface Saturday.
As of Wednesday morning, eight miners remained underground: drill rig operators Alexey Vladimirovich Vlasenko, Dmitry Evgenievich Zhukov and Dmitry Mikhailovich Mariin; shift foreman Valentin Anatolievich Misnik; blaster Igor Anatolievich Stepanov; acting foreman Vitaly Vitalievich Kulikov; stope miner Gleb Alexandrovich Mirontsev; and drill rig operator Mikhail Yurievich Neustroev.
Unable to get to the trapped miners using the planned routes, Alrosa said Tuesday that seven rope technicians descended the slopes of the open-pit portion of Mirny to reach water-collecting wells, but added that the attempt to get in touch with the missing miners by tapping was unsuccessful.
More than 330 people and over 30 units of equipment are involved in the search, which continued as of Wednesday morning. The rope technicians will try to get in touch with the miners again today, according to the diamond miner.
Alrosa said its emergency warning and location determining system saved the lives of dozens of miners, including Mirzaev, the miner brought to the surface Saturday who was spotted at the underground level 410 due to his radio location mark.
The marks also have helped rescuers establish where they believe the eight still-missing miners were at the time of accident.
The Mir mine is under the umbrella of the Mirny mining and processing division, which is Alrosa’s oldest MPD.
Mir underground has been in operation since 2009 and is expected to produce 1 million tons of ore per year up to 2043.
Alrosa said the mine was operating in full compliance with all technical and safety requirements, and passed the Main State Expert Review board and repeated expert appraisals of industrial safety. It added that Mir underground has never had its operations suspended due to a pre-emergency or emergency situation.
The company has suspended Mikhail Lopatinsky, director of Mirny MPD, until it completes a post-accident inspection of the site.
In addition, Alrosa confirmed that the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has launched its own inquiry into the accident.
The Latest

The New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.

Lilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.


The winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.

As summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Moshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.

Xavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.

The addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.

The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.

The necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.

Jewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.

Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.