Where to buy rough diamonds in Russia?

Until resent times Russian rough goods were available for domestic polishers including joint ventures and for De Beers group. Now the biggest Russian mining company Alrosa is about to change its marketing strategy and introduce a nondiscriminatory policy for all buyers. Rough diamonds became available for international dealers and polishing companies through United Selling Organization and big size stones through Diamond Camber rough tenders. Domestic polishers can also buy rough diamonds in the State Depository (GOHRAN) and resale up to 15% abroad.

How does the Russian diamond grading system correlate with International color and clarity grade?

There are simple tables that give an idea about this correlation. Russian clarity grading is more related with the number and size of inclusion, and description of color grades is slightly different from international approach. That is why grades of some stones will not be correlated according to these tables.

Clarity

Color

Are there any specific requirements for quality of diamonds polished in Russia?

There is technical documentation that restricts cut proportions, symmetry deviations and quality of polish. Below is an example for round brilliant cut proportions:

Are there specific features of rough diamond discovered in Russia?

Any diamond mine gives a broad variety of rough. Some diamond depositions are famous for the specific sort of diamonds, like Premier mine in South Africa is known for big stones and Argyle mine in Australia is a well known source of pink and brown diamonds. Main Russian deposits are located in Jacutia where recovered diamonds that are generally very similar with Central African of Canadian rough. In 2004 Russia was the first largest rough diamond producer by volume and the second largest by value. In the bulk parcel Russian goods will be recognized by presence of‘ideal’ flat shape octahedrons, slightly more yellowish tint of white goods and more frequent presence of blue fluorescence in comparison with diamonds from other sources.

Are you members of any industry association?

MSU Gemological Center is a part of MSU Department of Geology. Gemological Center is found at 1995 and since that time is active in various industry associations. We are cofounders of the Russian Gemological Society (2000), the Union of Modern and Antique Jewelry Appraisers, and member of the Russian Diamond Chamber.

Are you issue gemological reports for synthetic and treated diamonds? What is specific terminology for them?

Yes it is possible to issue a report for synthetic or for treaded diamond. The true nature of this stone will be clearly indicated in the report according of WFDB and IDMA rules (see testing service page for details). A word ‘diamond’ in report without any additional term means that the stone under study is found to be a natural untreated diamond.

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