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Wealthy Russians Surge in Investment-Grade Diamond Purchases Amid Market Uncertainty

Demand for polished diamonds up by 60% as individuals diversify portfolios with gemstones following VAT abolition and growing financial volatility.

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2025

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Wealthy Russians are increasingly turning to investment-grade diamonds, with purchases of polished stones rising by 60% last year, according to VTB, the country’s second-largest bank. This surge in demand is attributed to the government’s decision to abolish VAT on diamond purchases, which has made gemstones a more attractive investment option.

Oksana Semenenko, vice president at VTB and head of its private banking division, explained that the rarity and uniqueness of diamonds make them especially appealing during times of rising financial market instability and tighter investment restrictions. Many affluent clients are now incorporating alternative investments, including diamonds, into their portfolios, typically allocating 5-10% of their assets to these tangible assets for diversification.

This shift comes amid increasing sanctions from the G7 and restrictions on Russian currency, which have impacted Russian diamond exports. In response, Alrosa, the state-run diamond mining giant, is turning to alternative markets to sell its goods. The company’s Diamond Exclusive program focuses on polishing its largest and highest-quality diamonds, particularly stones of 3 carats or more, to be sold directly to investors through partnerships with VTB and other financial institutions.

Related Topics:2025 Diamond Market Diamond Mine diamondbuzz

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DiamondBuzz

Qatar Diamond Exchange Partners With London Diamond Bourse To Expand Global Reach and Industry Collaboration

MoU Aimed At Fostering Deeper Commercial Ties, Expanding International Trade Opportunities, and Reinforcing Global Industry Standards. The Partnership Is Expected To Drive Economic Growth For Both Bourses While Enhancing Transparency and Trade Efficiency Across The Global Supply Chain.

Published

6 hours ago

November 2, 2026

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The Qatar Diamond Exchange (QDE) and the London Diamond Bourse (LDB) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering deeper commercial ties, expanding international trade opportunities, and reinforcing global industry standards.

The strategic agreement was signed in London by QDE Director Ghanim Al-Saadi and LDB President Charlotte Rose. The partnership establishes a formal framework to enhance cooperation between the two institutions through reciprocal market visits, joint participation in trade events, and shared access to tenders and auctions.

This agreement marks the latest milestone in QDE’s strategic initiative to connect regional markets with major international trading hubs. In recent months, QDE has expanded its global network by establishing partnerships with prominent bourses in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, and Italy.

Under the terms of the MoU, both bourses will collaborate to strengthen the natural-diamond and colored-gemstone sectors. A central pillar of the alliance is a shared commitment to upholding strict ethical and compliance standards, including guidelines set by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and the World Diamond Council’s (WDC) System of Warranties.

The partnership is expected to drive economic growth for both bourses while enhancing transparency and trade efficiency across the global supply chain.