AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionThe 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
SourcingAug 06, 2018
Mouawad Buys Biggest ‘Dynasty’ Diamond
The 51.38-carat stone was one of five diamonds cut from a 179-carat piece of rough mined in Russia.
The Mouawad Group paid $10 million for the D color, VVS1 clarity “Dynasty” diamond, purchasing via an auction Alrosa held on its online trading platform last Thursday.
Moscow—Mouawad Group has purchased the 51.38-carat “Dynasty” diamond, the largest of the five stones Alrosa cut from a 179-carat rough diamond.
The price paid for the diamond, a round brilliant the GIA graded as D color and VVS1 clarity with a triple excellent cut, was not disclosed, though Alrosa did say that the sale of all five diamonds totaled $10 million.
It is the highest quality diamond of its size ever cut and polished by Alrosa and is also now the most expensive stone ever sold by the diamond mining company.
Alrosa unearthed the 179-carat rough diamond in 2015 at the Nyurbinskaya kimberlite pipe in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and called it “The Romanovs,” a nod to Romanov-era ruler Peter the Great, who ordered the development of the country’s diamond deposits.
It cut and polished the stone at its facilities in Moscow, placing cutters on week-long leaves from time to time because of the stress and intensity of the job, and unveiled the five resulting stones last August. (The entire collection has the same name as its largest stone, “The Dynasty.”) 
In December, the diamond miner announced that four out of the five smaller Dynasty diamonds, which ranged in size from 16.67 to 1.39 carats, found buyers, but it pulled the 51.38-carat diamond from the sale because it did not receive a bid for the stone that it deemed to be high enough.
In a joint statement provided by Alrosa, Fred and Pascal Mouawad said the company plans to add the Dynasty to its collection of historic diamonds, which is described on the Mouawad website as “museum quality.”
Among the historic diamonds once owned by the family is the famous Taylor-Burton diamond, which Robert Mouawad bought in the 1970s. It has since been sold to a private collector, a company spokesperson told National Jeweler back in 2011.
“What attracted us to the Dynasty is not only its exceptional quality but the transparency of its history and the fact it’s the largest and most valuable diamond ever sold by Alrosa,” the Mouawads said. “It’s a rare gem with a remarkable record.”
Editor’s note: This story was corrected post-publication to reflect the fact that $10 million was the price paid for the entire collection, not just the 51-carat Dynasty
diamond, as previously stated.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsApr 29, 2025
Maryland Jeweler to Close After 36 YearsG.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.
ColumnistsApr 29, 2025
Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Are More Effective?Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsApr 28, 2025
Suzanne Kalan Launches Tech Ring Jacket CollectionHealth monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
