The 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
Alrosa’s Sales Down 29% Year-to-Date
But the diamond miner did see improvement in November amid midstream recovery and higher jewelry sales, it said.

New York—Alrosa Group’s sales improved in the month of November but the Moscow-based miner will still finish the year well behind 2018 in what has been described as a tough year for diamonds.
The company’s sales totaled $287.8 million in November, a 5 percent year-over-year increase.
Rough diamond sales were $282.1 million, while sales of polished gems totaled $5.8 million.
“November sales growth is evidence that the midstream sector, specifically in India, is on track to restore its balance,” Deputy CEO Evgeny Agureev said.
“Somewhat more active purchasing activity at end consumers in key regions also provide support to our sales volumes.”
However, like rival De Beers, Alrosa is on track to finish the year with a double-digit decline in year-over-year diamond sales.
Year-to-date, the Moscow-based miner’s sales have totaled $2.97 billion, down 29 percent from $4.2 billion in the same period last year.
De Beers will finish the year with a similar decline.
As parent company Anglo American Plc noted in an update earlier this month, the diamond miner’s sales (detailed in the chart below) are down 26 percent on the year, from $5.4 billion in 2018 to approximately $4.04 billion this year.
De Beers' Annual Sales
In its final round of sales for the year, De Beers Group sold $425 million in rough diamonds to sightholders and auction clients.
That is down 22 percent from $544 million in the same period last year, but is the highest sight and auction total since April.
CEO Bruce Cleaver said polished diamond prices stabilized in the lead-up to the final sales cycle, which created “steady” demand for rough diamonds.
The Latest

G.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.

Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.


Health monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.

Ten organizations were selected this year.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Kim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon 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.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.