Alrosa Unearths 468-Carat Gem-Quality Diamond, the Largest in Russian History

Mining giant Alrosa just announced the discovery of the largest gem-quality diamond ever unearthed in Russia. The remarkable 468.30-carat rough diamond, described as a “fancy amber” crystal, was recovered from the recently reopened Mir mine in Yakutia, a remote region near the Arctic Circle long renowned for its diamond-rich permafrost.

Measuring 56 x 54 x 22 millimeters (2.2 x 2.1 x 0.9 inches), the stone has been named “80 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War” in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.

Alrosa CEO Pavel Marinychev emphasized the symbolic importance of the timing, noting, “Nature gave us such an incredible find in this meaningful year. Therefore, we decided to name it in honor of such a significant event for our entire country.”

This extraordinary find ranks 44th on the Wikipedia list of the Largest Rough Diamonds ever mined, making it not only a national milestone but a globally significant addition to the pantheon of remarkable diamond discoveries.

The announcement comes shortly after another landmark achievement by Alrosa: the unveiling of the “New Sun,” the largest polished colored diamond ever produced in Russia.

Weighing more than 100 carats, the fancy vivid yellow gem was meticulously crafted over two years from a 236-carat rough originally discovered at the Ebelyakh placer deposit, also in Yakutia, about 3,800 km (2,400 miles) northeast of Moscow.

The 468-carat rough gem was recovered from the Mir mine, one of Russia’s most iconic mining sites, which resumed operations in 2024 after a seven-year closure following a devastating flood in 2017.

With an estimated $762 million invested in safety upgrades and infrastructure modernization, the mine’s reopening is expected to boost Alrosa’s annual production capacity to 2 million carats. Full production capacity is targeted for 2030, with operations expected to continue through 2048.

Alrosa produces 99.6% of Russia’s diamonds and nearly 30% of the world’s supply. Facing restrictions from Western markets, Alrosa has shifted its focus to Asia and the Middle East, with exports to Hong Kong soaring and Dubai emerging as a major hub for Russian stones.

Credit: Photo courtesy of Alrosa.