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.
SourcingJan 22, 2021
Alrosa Ends Difficult Year With Strong Q4
The miner’s sales were down for the full year, but it is not as bad as it could have been considering sales ground to a halt mid-year due to the pandemic.
Alrosa’s rough and polished diamond sales dropped 16 percent on the year but rose 33 percent in the fourth quarter due to recovering consumer demand in the second half of 2020. (Photo credit: Alrosa)
Moscow—Sales fell by double digits for Alrosa in 2020, but the company ended the year on an upswing it says has continued into 2021.
The diamond miner reported Thursday that revenue from rough and polished diamond sales totaled $2.8 billion in 2020, down 16 percent year-over-year. But fourth quarter sales rose 33 percent year-over-year to $1.22 billion.
In volume terms, Alrosa’s annual sales totaled 32 million carats, down 4 percent year-over-year but up more than double in the fourth quarter, as the recovery in consumer demand that started in the second half of the year in China and the United States accelerated.
“Many U.S. retailers launched their holiday offers early to ensure a more even distribution of demand and allow for social distancing,” the company said in the release announcing Q4 and full-year results.
“As a result, the Christmas holiday season in the U.S. kicked off with strong online sales as the pandemic pushed consumers to shop online. Another sustainable trend in the retail sector is the steady recovery of sales in mainland China, where travel restrictions make Chinese consumers spend more domestically.”
Jewelers interviewed by National Jeweler in the month of December said the same; consumers were shopping early to avoid the crowds.
And they were spending money that couldn’t be used for travel, dining out and other experiences on jewelry, particularly diamond jewelry.
RELATED CONTENT: Strong Start Has Jewelers Hopeful for the Holidays
In a Jan. 7 webinar hosted by National Jeweler, guests Edahn Golan, Peter Smith and Sherry Smith all commented on diamond jewelry’s strong performance in 2020, which they attributed to it being a low-risk choice in an uncertain time and the pandemic spurring proposals.
“When people feel stressed and anxious and you’ve got all of this uncertainty in your life, you’re going to make safe choices,” Peter Smith said. “Diamonds are a very safe choice. I’m waiting to see the first T-shirt that says, ‘I’ve got too many diamonds.’
“That just doesn’t happen. They just continue to be a safe choice.”
RELATED CONTENT: Watch—Our Webinar on 2021 Predictions
In addition to sales declining, Alrosa’s production also dropped in 2020, falling 23 percent in the fourth quarter to 7.1 million carats and declining 22 percent on the year to 30 million carats total.
Alrosa and the world’s other main diamond supplier, De Beers Group, dialed back production last year to save money as COVID-19 halted
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
business worldwide. Some diamond mines closed entirely for a period while others operated at reduced capacity with skeleton crews.
Alrosa started the year with a production goal of 34 million carats but scaled back to 28-31 million carats about halfway through 2020, ultimately ending the year right in the middle of that range.
It also allowed customers additional flexibility—which the miner has extended into 2021—and implemented a “price-over-volume” strategy, which helped stabilize rough diamond prices during the crisis, all in the interest of the sustainability and stability of the diamond industry, Alrosa said.
In the early months of 2021, Alrosa said diamond cutters and polishers are increasing production to 100 percent capacity after having to cut back in 2020 due to COVID-19.
They anticipate stable orders in the first quarter of the year, as diamond dealers and retailers look to replenish inventories following the holiday season and, in China, ahead of the new year on Feb. 12.
Alrosa started the year with a production goal of 34 million carats but scaled back to 28-31 million carats about halfway through 2020, ultimately ending the year right in the middle of that range.
It also allowed customers additional flexibility—which the miner has extended into 2021—and implemented a “price-over-volume” strategy, which helped stabilize rough diamond prices during the crisis, all in the interest of the sustainability and stability of the diamond industry, Alrosa said.
In the early months of 2021, Alrosa said diamond cutters and polishers are increasing production to 100 percent capacity after having to cut back in 2020 due to COVID-19.
They anticipate stable orders in the first quarter of the year, as diamond dealers and retailers look to replenish inventories following the holiday season and, in China, ahead of the new year on Feb. 12.
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.
