EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
SourcingAug 23, 2019
Alrosa’s ‘Spirit of the Rose’ Could Sell for $60M+
The 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink was cut from a nearly 28-carat rough diamond unearthed in 2017.
Alrosa cut the 14.83-carat “Spirit of the Rose” diamond from a 27.85-carat chunk of rough unearthed in 2017. It is a fancy vivid purple-pink with IF clarity, excellent polish and very good symmetry.
Moscow—It is a diamond that will hold records in Russia for a long time.
The “Spirit of the Rose” is a 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond cut from the largest piece of pink rough ever mined in Russia.
It is the biggest natural colored diamond classified as a fancy vivid purple-pink ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
And it is expected to sell for $60 million or more when Alrosa puts it up for auction, making it the most expensive Russian diamond in history.
Colored diamond expert Eden Rachminov called the Rose “an iconic Russian gem.”
“A large fancy vivid purple-pink, internally flawless, with perfect visual characteristics such as this one enters the market literally once in a generation. The stone has the most desirable pink undertone dispersed perfectly and looks much bigger in relation to its actual weight,” he said. “Its beauty overcomes the important pink diamonds sold at auction in the last decade … I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to hold this pink wonder in my hands.” 
The genesis of the Spirit of the Rose was a 27.85-carat rough diamond mined by Alrosa subsidiary Almazy Anabara in 2017.
Almazy Anabara mines 16 alluvial deposits in the very north of Yakutia, a vast republic in far eastern Russia where winter temperatures regularly average about 35 degrees below zero.
The geological structure of the deposits there make Almazy Anabara the company’s top producer of colored diamonds, a market in which Alrosa is looking to claim a larger stake with sales of not just rough but finished diamonds that are cut and polished in Russia.
The miner held its first auction of polished natural colored diamonds last September.
The Spirit of the Rose, which has its own website, is one of three outstanding colored diamonds the company will be selling as part of a collection called “The Spectacle.”
The Spectacle also includes “Firebird,” a 20.69-carat fancy vivid yellow, and a third stone that has yet to be revealed.
The Firebird was cut in Russia from a 34.17-carat yellow rough diamond (pictured above) also recovered by Almazy Anabara in 2017.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The stones made National Jeweler’s “Best of” list for the year, sharing the title of “Best Diamond Discovery.”
Alrosa cut the Spirit of the Rose at its factory in Moscow, taking a year to determine exactly how it wanted to cleave the nearly 28-carat pink rough.
Eventually, the company’s cutters opted for an oval shape in order to maximize the stone’s color while retaining as much of its size as possible. (The yield on the rough was about 53 percent, which Alrosa said was “optimal.”)
The company said it is currently considering the terms and conditions for the auction of the diamond and plans to announce more details on where and when it will be sold next month.
Alrosa cut the Spirit of the Rose at its factory in Moscow, taking a year to determine exactly how it wanted to cleave the nearly 28-carat pink rough.
Eventually, the company’s cutters opted for an oval shape in order to maximize the stone’s color while retaining as much of its size as possible. (The yield on the rough was about 53 percent, which Alrosa said was “optimal.”)
The company said it is currently considering the terms and conditions for the auction of the diamond and plans to announce more details on where and when it will be sold next month.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
