SourcingJun 24, 2021
For De Beers and Alrosa, Rough Demand Is Exceeding Pre-Pandemic LevelsSourcingJul 07, 2021
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.
Alrosa has introduced new technology using non-invasive laser marking to trace its diamonds from mine to market.
Moscow—Alrosa is using new technology to trace its diamonds from mine to market.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
The new nanomarking technology from Alrosa creates marks that are only visible using a specialized scanner.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
