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

Expected to earn up to $4.5 million, the “Jarretière” bracelet is the star of Christie’s “The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower” sale.

With jewelry sales coming down from their pandemic highs, retailers need to do all they can to retain existing customers, Peter Smith says.

Jewelry historians, authors, and experts will explore the works of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman, Verdura, and more.

Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.

Johnson joined the retailer in 1987, establishing its first human resources department.


Supplier Spotlight Presented by IGI

The industry gathered to celebrate those who elevate the jewelry and watch industries.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

At JSA’s annual luncheon, President John J. Kennedy said the organization recorded more than 2,000 cases last year.

It highlights Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s lasting influence on modern design.

Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi explores the qualities and accomplishments that make this year’s Gem Award nominees shine.

Here’s what the nine chosen organizations plan to do with the funds.

The designer is nominated for a Gem Award for Jewelry Design.

The jewelry giant’s full-year sales were essentially flat, brought down by fourth-quarter declines.

In its recent results, the company highlighted non-bridal jewelry sales and said its “inventory-light” showroom model may change.

See 15 fabulous pieces from the 2023 Gem Award for Jewelry Design nominees: Anita Ko, Kirsty Stone, and Ron Anderson and David Rees.

The new Cal. E365 movement doubles the running time of the current Eco-Drive models.

The mood is bullish as more companies get into the business despite the dramatic drop in lab-grown diamond prices.

Hari Krishna Exports and the Dholakia Foundation’s “Mission 100 Sarovar” aims to create 100 lakes to help revive an area of Gujarat.

The educational resource will highlight the positive impact diamonds can make on their journey from mine to market.

Australian mining company Burgundy Diamond Mines announced plans to buy the mine in a deal valued at $136 million.

A 17th-century gold seal ring and an 18th-century memento mori ring met or exceeded estimates at a recent Noonans auction.

They will be recognized at the organization’s annual luncheon this weekend in New York City.

Sherry Smith breaks down the results so far this year, including which categories are the sales standouts and which are struggling.

The 1,000-year-old find is now on display in the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities.

More than 200 exhibitors are scheduled for the May 11-14 event.

Gove, who has more than a decade of experience in the diamond industry, is Opsydia’s new sales and marketing director.