Sourcing

Alrosa’s ‘Spirit of the Rose’ Could Sell for $60M+

SourcingAug 23, 2019

Alrosa’s ‘Spirit of the Rose’ Could Sell for $60M+

The 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink was cut from a nearly 28-carat rough diamond unearthed in 2017.

20190823_Alrosa_Spirit_of_the_Rose_header.jpg
Alrosa cut the 14.83-carat “Spirit of the Rose” diamond from a 27.85-carat chunk of rough unearthed in 2017. It is a fancy vivid purple-pink with IF clarity, excellent polish and very good symmetry.

Moscow—It is a diamond that will hold records in Russia for a long time.

The “Spirit of the Rose” is a 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond cut from the largest piece of pink rough ever mined in Russia.

It is the biggest natural colored diamond classified as a fancy vivid purple-pink ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.

And it is expected to sell for $60 million or more when Alrosa puts it up for auction, making it the most expensive Russian diamond in history.

Colored diamond expert Eden Rachminov called the Rose “an iconic Russian gem.”

“A large fancy vivid purple-pink, internally flawless, with perfect visual characteristics such as this one enters the market literally once in a generation. The stone has the most desirable pink undertone dispersed perfectly and looks much bigger in relation to its actual weight,” he said. “Its beauty overcomes the important pink diamonds sold at auction in the last decade … I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to hold this pink wonder in my hands.”


The “Spirit of the Rose” diamond was named after a short ballet called “Le Spectre de la Rose” produced by the famed Ballet Russes company and first performed in 1911. The rough the diamond was cut from was dubbed “Nijinksy,” after famed dancer Vaslav Nijinksy.


The genesis of the Spirit of the Rose was a 27.85-carat rough diamond mined by Alrosa subsidiary Almazy Anabara in 2017.

Almazy Anabara mines 16 alluvial deposits in the very north of Yakutia, a vast republic in far eastern Russia where winter temperatures regularly average about 35 degrees below zero.

The geological structure of the deposits there make Almazy Anabara the company’s top producer of colored diamonds, a market in which Alrosa is looking to claim a larger stake with sales of not just rough but finished diamonds that are cut and polished in Russia.

The miner held its first auction of polished natural colored diamonds last September.

The Spirit of the Rose, which has its own website, is one of three outstanding colored diamonds the company will be selling as part of a collection called “The Spectacle.”

The Spectacle also includes “Firebird,” a 20.69-carat fancy vivid yellow, and a third stone that has yet to be revealed.




The Firebird was cut in Russia from a 34.17-carat yellow rough diamond (pictured above) also recovered by Almazy Anabara in 2017.
The stones made National Jeweler’s “Best of” list for the year, sharing the title of “Best Diamond Discovery.”

Alrosa cut the Spirit of the Rose at its factory in Moscow, taking a year to determine exactly how it wanted to cleave the nearly 28-carat pink rough.

Eventually, the company’s cutters opted for an oval shape in order to maximize the stone’s color while retaining as much of its size as possible. (The yield on the rough was about 53 percent, which Alrosa said was “optimal.”)

The company said it is currently considering the terms and conditions for the auction of the diamond and plans to announce more details on where and when it will be sold next month.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

trend retail.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscast

test

Screenshot from 2026-01-12 06-22-03.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New podcast without sponsor

test

20210205_Alexia_Connellan_Gatsby_earrings.jpg
TrendsJan 12, 2026
New test Article

test article

trend ss21@2x.jpg
Brought to you by
new sponsored article

test

2019_De_Beers_rough_NEW_1.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New sponsored podcast

test

Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
MNQ FINAL - NJ web - 1872 x 1052 px.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the Podcast

A monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals

Screenshot from 2025-12-31 12-03-28.png
PodcastsDec 31, 2025
Test new podcast post

Test new podcast post

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

MNQ - studio - screen -1920 x 1080.png
PodcastsDec 29, 2025
Molly Test Podcast Episode

This is the abstract for Molly Test Podcast Episode

image 169 (4 col).png
PodcastsDec 10, 2025
Podcast With Video

Podcast Without Video or Audio or Image

image 169 (4 col).jpg
Recorded WebinarsDec 04, 2025
New Recorded Webinar for tests

New Recorded Webinar for tests

User-Avatar-PNG-Picture.png
PodcastsDec 03, 2025
Test Article Title

test Abstract

20210204_Couture_show_shot.jpg
PodcastsDec 02, 2025
New podcast

test desc

Screenshot from 2025-12-05 13-54-41.png
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With Video

Test Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.

Image for tests
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast Post

Abstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling Luxury

Ahead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.

Edgar Mitchell wearing Rolex watch on Apollo 14
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for Sale

The GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.

Simon meet me at the mall campaign
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’

The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Platinum Guild International training
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales Training

Retail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.

Gathering at Bharat Diamond Bourse for COVID vaccinations
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures

For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.

Sotheby’s A Tsar’s Treasure: Ferdinand of Bulgaria
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian Tsar

The November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.

Stock image of hand holding phone by keyboard
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday Season

Deloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.

Sylvie and Uncommon Man Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s Bands

The Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.

Rio Tinto 2024 Beyond RareTM Tender Art Series
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender

The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Heller
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New Collection

A portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.

Hill & Co. logo
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is Out

The first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.

Benjamin Clymer and the Porsche Design x Hodinkee limited-edition watch
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—Hodinkee

The company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy