TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
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.
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.
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 Orlovs diamond, a 5.05-carat oval
The second-largest stone in the collection, the 16.67-carat round brilliant Sheremetevs diamond
The 1.73-carat pear-shaped Vorontsovs diamond
The 1.39-carat oval-shaped diamond called The Yusupovs
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.
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.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
