Strength in rough diamond sales continues, but the war in Ukraine and COVID lockdowns in China have companies on alert.
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![Russian diamond miner Alrosa has been put on the Specially Designated Nationals list, effectively blocking U.S. businesses and individuals from doing business with the company. 2021_Alrosa rough.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/fe161b3e37e43ad7a780f28d0cabd8e8.jpg)
Alrosa is now on the Specially Designated Nationals list, meaning U.S. companies need to stop doing business with it now.
It’s the latest in a string of developments involving Russia and Russian companies following the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.
![Alrosa has suspended its Responsible Jewellery Council membership, a decision the RJC board voted to accept. Pictured here is a selection of rough diamonds from Alrosa. (Image courtesy of Alrosa) 2022_Alrosa-rough.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/155ec93cd9d5ebb18c068c6fd163d4ab.jpg)
The Russian diamond miner’s membership had been a point of contention, causing major companies to leave the organization.
![2021_Diamonds-stock.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a6abd3692a92a8ef1512c2d5ecd66cc5.jpg)
It’s a question that’s been on Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff’s mind since Feb. 24.
![Pandora and Richemont announced Wednesday that they have left the Responsible Jewellery Council in protest of the organization’s inaction on Russia, and RJC’s own executive director has stepped down for the same reason. 20220330_Pandora Richemont.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1b12fa76f39a5655062be2b45cfe72e9.jpg)
Iris Van der Veken has quit while Pandora and Richemont are leaving RJC, citing the council’s soft stance on Russian companies.
![Tiffany & Co. announced Friday that it would no longer buy diamonds mined in Russia, a policy effective as of March 21. (Image courtesy of Tiffany & Co.) 2021_Tiffany Sydney store.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f158d1d6058d37bdb477a61dc26ae061.jpg)
The retailer joins Signet Jewelers and Brilliant Earth in refusing to purchase Russian diamonds.
![The United Kingdom has now sanctioned Alrosa, preventing its citizens and companies from doing business with the Russian diamond miner. Pictured here is a selection of Alrosa rough diamonds. (Image courtesy Alrosa) 2022_Alrosa-rough.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f15befc21f57ba54593e7babe1b2787a.jpg)
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced 65 new sanctions Thursday.
![Signet Jewelers spoke about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the impact on its business during its earnings call Thursday. 20220321_Signet.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9bffcb97f20cd32fd06c1cf5252863b9.jpg)
The news preceded announcement of the company’s full-year results, which were strong.
Foerster said she stepped down March 10, and the office will close by the end of April.
![Designer Bibi van der Velden created these earrings in support of Ukraine, with the proceeds being donated to UNICEF. She joins several members of the jewelry industry that are gathering donations to provide aid to those in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. 20220316_Ukraine header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/7b0b81012389b722b7a7a7a8682c64ad.jpg)
Signet Jewelers, GIA, and designers Dorian Webb and Bibi van der Velden join the list of organizations and individuals aiding Ukraine.
![The U.S. government has banned the import of non-industrial diamonds from Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. 2021_Alrosa rough.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/ce705b744e19c2f85e3715648ce56f8a.jpg)
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee has shared updated guidance on the executive order, which was issued Friday.
![2022_Gold-bars.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a5843ca65c989621687c48416c735acf.jpg)
Penned by the Global Gold Transparency Initiative, it outlines steps the industry can take to ensure it’s not sourcing Russian gold.
Immediate Past President Anna Martin will step back into the role.
![De Beers parent company Anglo American has spoken out in a statement, condemning Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. (Photo courtesy of De Beers Group) 20220308_De-Beers-Anglo.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/8a1baeef535faf7b1307c905e34d59cb.jpg)
Anglo American is also donating $5 million for humanitarian relief in Ukraine, it said in a statement.
![Alrosa has stepped down as vice chair of the Responsible Jewellery Council and withdrawn its financial support of the Natural Diamond Council. The company, along with a number of key Russian banks, remains under U.S. sanctions as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. 2021_Alrosa rough.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/e071b755d7430562218a0d6aa4409c85.jpg)
The company is also suspending its membership and halting financial support of the Natural Diamond Council.
![Jewelry designer Alex Lozier created this pendant to honor her Ukrainian heritage and raise money for those affected by the war in Ukraine. 20220304_1-POTW Lozier.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/931b70e43fc97fa73666e261a7bd3d40.jpg)
Proceeds will be donated to the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America.
![An aerial view of Mir, an open-pit diamond mine in the Sakha Republic operated by Alrosa. Alrosa was one of the companies sanctioned by the U.S. government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a step that could have huge implications for the jewelry industry. (Photo courtesy of Alrosa) 2022_Alrosa Mir mine.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/8519c5da87c15e7eadc3e0ceeb1b6ef6.jpg)
The longer Russia’s assault on Ukraine continues, the more complicated the situation becomes for the jewelry industry.
![2021_Alrosa rough.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9f64c4f3e2f592d8754a139e19fa2186.jpg)
The sanctions are not a total ban on doing business with Alrosa in the U.S., but they still will have an impact on the jewelry industry.