Alrosa Introduces New Nanotechnology to Trace Its Diamonds
The non-invasive laser markings are imprinted inside the crystal lattice and can only be seen with a specialized scanner.

The mining company announced Tuesday it is employing non-invasive laser markings to distinguish its diamonds from others and provide detailed information about their origins.
The markings cannot be destroyed or polished off, Alrosa said.
The method for physically marking rough and polished diamonds was developed with the help of scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, Alrosa’s Research Geological Enterprise, and the Yakutniproalmaz Institute.
It differs from other engraving technologies in that a laser “nanomark” is imprinted inside the crystal lattice, across the atomic structure of the diamond.
According to Oleg Kovalchuk, who supervised the project at the Yakutniproalmaz Institute, a nanomark is applied to the diamond using a laser pulse of a certain wavelength, intensity, and duration.
This pulse causes “nanoregions” to form across the diamond’s entire crystal, which can only be viewed with a scanner created specifically for reading the marks.
The mark is a 3-D code linked to Alrosa’s Provenance platform and offers information about the stone’s origin and characteristics as well as a unique identification number, photo, video, and details about cut.
It allows the stone to be identified with 100 percent accuracy, Alrosa said.
Scientists involved also think that as the technology evolves, it could become an important way of embedding large amounts of data within the diamond, like media files, images, and music.
Alrosa will offer its partners marked diamonds and the equipment needed to read them.
It said it believes this to be the first time this technology is being used for commercial purposes to trace rough and polished diamonds.
The diamond miner is seeking patents now in major diamond-trading centers across the world; it has started the application process in the United States, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Israel, Belgium, and India.

It’s the latest move from Alrosa to improve the traceability of its stones amid increased consumer desire for transparency.
This has included joining De Beers’ diamond industry blockchain platform, Tracr, in 2018, followed the next year by the introduction of “electronic passports” for its diamonds, which include information about the characteristics of the diamond as well as its age, the place and date of extraction, when and where it was cut, and the name and background of the craftsperson behind it.
Last November, Alrosa and Get Diamonds also teamed up to introduce a provenance section on the diamond trading platform.
The Latest

The new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.


The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.