DiamondBuzz
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.
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.
DiamondBuzz
ALROSA Indicates Mir-Deep Project Could Commence As Early As Next Year
The Project Is Viewed As Strategically Significant Given The Historic Contribution Of The Mir Asset To ALROSA’s Production Portfolio
ALROSA has indicated that development activity at the proposed Mir-Deep project could commencece as early as next year, positioning the asset as the long-term successor to the original Mir Mine operation, which was permanently shut following the fatal 2017 flooding incident that resulted in eight casualties.
The company stated that it is prepared to accelerate execution of the construction phase of the Mir-Deep project—estimated in 2024 at an investment outlay exceeding US$1.5 billion—subject to favorable macroeconomic conditions and a reduction in borrowing costs. The development reflects ALROSA’s broader strategy to restore high-volume production capacity while optimizing capital deployment amid evolving financing conditions.
Mir-Deep is planned at the same site as the historic Mir mine in eastern Siberia and will involve the sinking of new shafts to access deeper diamond-bearing reserves located below the previous accident zone, within the same geological structure. The project is viewed as strategically significant given the historic contribution of the Mir asset to ALROSA’s production portfolio. Prior to its closure, the mine was producing approximately 3.8 million carats annually, representing nearly 10% of the company’s total output.
Originally commissioned in 1957 as the first diamond mine in the former USSR, the Mir operation remains one of Russia’s most iconic diamond assets. The 2017 flooding disaster resulted in extensive destruction of underground infrastructure, mining workings, and equipment, leading to the suspension of operations.
In an operational update issued on 28 April, Pavel Marinychev confirmed that preparatory activities initiated in 2023 had been completed and that Russia’s Main State Expert Review authority (Glavgosexpertiza) had approved the extraction of certain reserves within the project area.
Earlier resource assessments released in September 2023 estimated identified reserves at approximately 173.5 million carats. More recent evaluations by Russia’s State Commission on Reserves have reportedly increased the estimated resource base to nearly 200 million carats, further strengthening the project’s long-term economic potential and strategic relevance within the global diamond supply landscape.
ALROSA Indicates Mir-Deep Project Could Commence As Early As Next Year
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