Sourcing

Alrosa Creates a ‘Dynasty’ Out of 179-Carat Diamond

SourcingAug 03, 2017

Alrosa Creates a ‘Dynasty’ Out of 179-Carat Diamond

The highlight of five-stone collection is a 51.38-carat round brilliant D VVS1 diamond.

20170803_Romanovs.jpg
This is a computer-generated image of the 179-carat “The Romanovs” rough diamond. Its name is a nod to Romanov-era ruler Peter the Great, who launched the development of the country’s diamond deposits and ordered the creation of Russia’s first diamond cutting and polishing factory in the early 18th century.

Moscow--In Russia, The Romanovs have become a dynasty again, so to speak.

This week, Russian diamond mining company Alrosa unveiled the diamonds it cut from a 179-carat piece of rough it unearthed in 2015 and dubbed “The Romanovs.”

All told, the big stone produced five diamonds totaling 76.22 carats, a yield of about 43 percent.

They are slated to be sold individually at a special online auction this fall.

Pavel Vinikhin, director of Diamonds Alrosa, the company’s cutting and polishing division, told National Jeweler on Thursday that Alrosa places the value of the five-stone collection, called “The Dynasty,” around $10 million but might change this following upcoming auction previews in Hong Kong and Israel.

The crowning glory of the collection, a diamond also dubbed “The Dynasty,” is a 51.38-carat round brilliant that is the highest-quality diamond of its size ever cut by Alrosa.

The Gemological Institute of America graded The Dynasty as a D color, VVS1 clarity diamond with a triple excellent cut.

Alrosa has cut and polished diamonds that are bigger.

The largest 57-facet round brilliant diamond cut by Alrosa was 52.26 carats, and the mining company also cleaved the pear-shaped 80.59-carat Star of Vilyuisk.

But neither diamond was of the same color and clarity as The Dynasty.


This picture provided by Alrosa shows the 51.38 D color, VVS1 clarity diamond called “The Dynasty” in its finished state. 
Alrosa created the five diamonds in the collection at its cutting and polishing facilities in Moscow.

The company said its most experienced cutters worked on whittling down the 179-carat Romanovs diamond, discovered at the Nyurbinskaya kimberlite pipe in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) two years ago.

Because of the high-pressure nature of the job--one mistake on a large, valuable stone like The Romanovs could be very costly--the cutters were put on a week-long leave several times, Alrosa said.

Commenting on the creation of the 51.38-carat diamond specifically, Vinikhin said in a press release: “This stone gives a start to a new stage in the development of Alrosa’s cutting division that will actively develop polishing of extra-large and colored diamonds. The Dynasty demonstrated that we can do it at the highest level. We work a lot on the technique, combine modern technologies with the secrets of jewelers of the Russian Imperial Court.”

The other four stones cut from the rough are named for individuals who played a crucial role in the development of the jewelry industry in Russia.



The second-largest stone is
the 16.67-carat round brilliant Sheremetevs diamond, named for Count Pyotr Sheremetev, a companion of Peter the Great and a senator under Catherine the Great who was a customer of the Russian jewelry houses of his time.

There is also the 5.05-carat oval-shaped Orlovs diamond, named for Count Grigory Orlov, the senator who gave the famous 189.6-carat Orlov Diamond to Empress Catherine II.

The 1.73-carat pear-shaped Vorontsovs is named for the one-time chancellor of the Russian Empire, Count Mikhail Vorontsov, while The Yusupovs, a 1.39-carat oval, is a nod to Prince Nikolai Yusupov, who started his family’s massive jewelry collection.

All four are D color and VVS1 clarity.

The online auction of the Dynasty collection is slated to take place in November. Terms of participation are available on Dynasty.Alrosa.Ru.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Peter Smith National Jeweler columnist
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-Reflection

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

Plah Black Swan Earrings
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From Vicenzaoro

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.

gia-edu main image.png
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Online education from GIA experts.

Gemfields rough emeralds
FinancialsOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%

Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.

Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Pandora executives Alexander Lacik and Berta de Pablos-Barbier
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO

Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

Gavel near stacks of books
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store Scam

Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.

reDollar-fine-jewelry-department.jpg
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment Program

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell John Hardy Lovestruck Collection
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John Hardy

The “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.

Spinelli Kilcollin Market Highland Park
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in Dallas

The brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.

Nina Pugliese Henne Jewelers
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65

She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.

Kwait White and Yellow Gold Diamond Earrings
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear Focus

Move over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.

Mark Henry Leandra Medine Cohen
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in Canada

The New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.

Overnight volume 7 bridal catalog
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal Catalog

The “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.

Hand holding holiday shopping bags
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard Says

Holiday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.

Austin Shines Jewelry Award
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced

Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.

Kwit Square Signet Pinky Ring in Red and Azure
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky Ring

The red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.

Jewelers of America Fly In
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-In

A trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.

Kira Jewels Growing Rowing Machines
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond Production

The manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.

Alex Moss SoHo store
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHo

The jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.

Matthew Wilson, Kavin Kulamavalava, and a Elmasolvex VA
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New York

The Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.

Representatives of India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and Indian government leaders
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into Disarray

The 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.

Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term Worries

They are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.

Guest lecture for people with disabilities at the Jewelex factory
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the Industry

Jewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.

Greenwich St. Jewelers Estate Capsule Campaign
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate Collection

The collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.

Marcus ter Haar
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-Elect

He previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.

Jane Goodall Brilliant Earth campaign
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s New Jane Goodall Collection Calls for Peace

Its second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy