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.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
