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.
SourcingAug 29, 2017
Alrosa Ends Search for Missing Miners
After calling off the search for four of the eight missing miners earlier this month, the Russian company has now stopped the rescue mission in its entirety.
Alrosa’s Mir diamond mine in Siberia
Moscow--Alrosa announced on Saturday that dangerous conditions wouldn’t allow it to continue its rescue operations at the Mir mine in Siberia, where eight miners have been missing since the mine flooded on Aug. 4.
Two weeks ago, Alrosa indicated that water levels wouldn’t allow rescue workers to reach four of the eight missing miners. Now, the miner has said that the risk of a sudden “inrush” of water in the mine shaft and the risk of collapse of the mine infrastructure has made any search and rescue operation impossible to continue.
For three weeks, 150 Alrosa employees and 170 specialists of the Russian Emergencies Ministry have been conducting the search for the miners in three daily shifts around the clock.
Conditions worsened on Aug. 18, when the water flooding the underground portion of the mine also began accumulating in the open pit. The underground aspect of the search was suspended on Aug. 19.
For five days after, explosions were conducted in the mine in an attempt to divert the water, but efforts were unsuccessful.
Alrosa said medical experts have opined that the eight missing miners could not have survived for the past three weeks without drinking water and food in such a high-humidity environment with flood mudflow that has a high content of hydrogen sulfide and salts.
Alrosa President Sergey Ivanov commented, “It is with a heavy heart that I am forced to announce that there is no more hope that we can find the missing miners alive and bring them to the surface. We are deeply shocked by what happened. This is a great tragedy for the whole company.
“Unfortunately, knowing that we have done everything possible to rescue the people cannot be a comfort to their loved ones. As the head of the company, I guarantee that the miners’ families will receive the necessary support and financial aid--timely and in full. On behalf of Alrosa, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the miners. We mourn with you.”
The eight missing miners’ families will receive RUB 2 million, or approximately $34,208 per current exchange rates, in addition to insurance payments.
In connection with the incident, today--Aug. 29--was declared a day of mourning in the Republic of (Sakha) Yakutia, Alrosa said Tuesday morning, to allow for a day for the town of Mirny and the Republic to pay their last respects to the miners.
Entertainment
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
events were canceled in Yakutia and flags on public buildings are flying at half-mast. A mourning prayer service and a farewell ceremony for the miners also have been arranged in Mirny, the mining company said.
Alrosa released the below information on the eight missing men.
Alexey Vladimirovich Vlasenko, drill rig operator
Born in 1984, he lived in Belgorod Region and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Dmitry Evgenievich Zhukov, drill rig operator
Born in 1990, he lived in Belgorod Region and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Vitaly Vitalievich Kulikov, acting foreman
He was born in Bogoroditsk, Tula Region in 1975. Over the past 18 years, he worked in Alrosa and lived in Mirny.
Dmitry Mikhailovich Mariin, drill rig operator
Born in 1979, he lived in Belgorod Region and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Gleb Alexandrovich Mirontsev, stope miner
Born in Makeevka, Donetsk Region, in 1986, he started working in Alrosa in Mirny in 2015.
Valentin Anatolievich Misnik, (shift) foreman
Born in 1969, he lived in Belgorod and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Mikhail Yurievich Neustroev, drill rig operator
Born in Yakutsk in 1975, he moved to Mirny in 2003 and started working in Alrosa in 2012.
Igor Anatolievich Stepanov, blaster
Born in Mirny in 1982, he started working in Alrosa in 2004.
Alrosa released the below information on the eight missing men.
Alexey Vladimirovich Vlasenko, drill rig operator
Born in 1984, he lived in Belgorod Region and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Dmitry Evgenievich Zhukov, drill rig operator
Born in 1990, he lived in Belgorod Region and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Vitaly Vitalievich Kulikov, acting foreman
He was born in Bogoroditsk, Tula Region in 1975. Over the past 18 years, he worked in Alrosa and lived in Mirny.
Dmitry Mikhailovich Mariin, drill rig operator
Born in 1979, he lived in Belgorod Region and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Gleb Alexandrovich Mirontsev, stope miner
Born in Makeevka, Donetsk Region, in 1986, he started working in Alrosa in Mirny in 2015.
Valentin Anatolievich Misnik, (shift) foreman
Born in 1969, he lived in Belgorod and worked at Mir underground mine as a staff member of Alrosa’s subcontractor Belspetsmontazh LLC.
Mikhail Yurievich Neustroev, drill rig operator
Born in Yakutsk in 1975, he moved to Mirny in 2003 and started working in Alrosa in 2012.
Igor Anatolievich Stepanov, blaster
Born in Mirny in 1982, he started working in Alrosa in 2004.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
MajorsApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last 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.
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.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
