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.
SourcingJan 06, 2020
Graff Buys 21-Carat Yellow Diamond from Russia
Called the “Firebird,” it is part of the same collection as the nearly 15-carat pink “Spirit of the Rose” diamond.
Alrosa just sold this 20.69-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond to Graff Diamonds. CEO Sergey Ivanov said of the stone: “Without a doubt, it could be a heart for a magnificent, exclusive jewelry piece.”
Moscow—Graff Diamonds is the new owner of a 20.69-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond mined in Russia and dubbed the “Firebird.”
Alrosa announced the diamond’s sale to the high-end jewelry house on Dec. 24.
Though the company did not disclose the purchase price, it said the Firebird “achieved one of the highest prices per carat for such a stone in recent years.”
Alrosa, which is looking to carve out a place for itself as a miner and cutter of large natural colored and colorless diamonds, cut and polished the Firebird in Russia from a 34.17-carat rough diamond recovered from the Ebelyah mine in Yakutia in 2017.
It was the largest yellow diamond found by Alrosa that year. 
Alrosa CEO Sergey Ivanov said the company hopes the sale of the Firebird to Graff will mark “the beginning of a new phase of our work.”
“We are pleased to see the trust of major industry players, which, among other things, was made possible thanks to our efforts in the field of business transparency, diamond provenance guarantees and our high contribution to society.”
The Gemological Institute of America, which graded the Firebird in March, deemed the stone a square emerald-cut diamond of VS1 clarity with even color distribution, and excellent polish and symmetry.
GIA Chief Quality Officer John King said it is “extremely rare and very special … to see a unique yellow diamond like this.” 
The Firebird is one of three large natural colored diamonds in a collection of unique diamonds Alrosa is calling “The Spectacle.”
The Spectacle collection is dedicated to the Russian ballet, which is why all the stones have dance-related names.
Firebird is a Ballets Russes production that premiered at the Grand Opera in Paris in 1910. The 34-carat rough the diamond was cut from was dubbed “Stravinsky” after Igor Stravinsky, the famous Russian composer.
Another “Spectacle” diamond, a 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink, is called “The Spirit of the Rose” after a Ballets Russes production from 1911.
Alrosa said last summer the Rose was expected to sell for $60 million or more, but no further details about its sale have been disclosed since that time. It did not respond to request for comment on the diamond by deadline.
Alrosa is not releasing any details about the third diamond in the Spectacle collection until it is cut and polished.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
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
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
