PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
SourcingJan 06, 2020
Graff Buys 21-Carat Yellow Diamond from Russia
Called the “Firebird,” it is part of the same collection as the nearly 15-carat pink “Spirit of the Rose” diamond.
Alrosa just sold this 20.69-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond to Graff Diamonds. CEO Sergey Ivanov said of the stone: “Without a doubt, it could be a heart for a magnificent, exclusive jewelry piece.”
Moscow—Graff Diamonds is the new owner of a 20.69-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond mined in Russia and dubbed the “Firebird.”
Alrosa announced the diamond’s sale to the high-end jewelry house on Dec. 24.
Though the company did not disclose the purchase price, it said the Firebird “achieved one of the highest prices per carat for such a stone in recent years.”
Alrosa, which is looking to carve out a place for itself as a miner and cutter of large natural colored and colorless diamonds, cut and polished the Firebird in Russia from a 34.17-carat rough diamond recovered from the Ebelyah mine in Yakutia in 2017.
It was the largest yellow diamond found by Alrosa that year. 
Alrosa CEO Sergey Ivanov said the company hopes the sale of the Firebird to Graff will mark “the beginning of a new phase of our work.”
“We are pleased to see the trust of major industry players, which, among other things, was made possible thanks to our efforts in the field of business transparency, diamond provenance guarantees and our high contribution to society.”
The Gemological Institute of America, which graded the Firebird in March, deemed the stone a square emerald-cut diamond of VS1 clarity with even color distribution, and excellent polish and symmetry.
GIA Chief Quality Officer John King said it is “extremely rare and very special … to see a unique yellow diamond like this.” 
The Firebird is one of three large natural colored diamonds in a collection of unique diamonds Alrosa is calling “The Spectacle.”
The Spectacle collection is dedicated to the Russian ballet, which is why all the stones have dance-related names.
Firebird is a Ballets Russes production that premiered at the Grand Opera in Paris in 1910. The 34-carat rough the diamond was cut from was dubbed “Stravinsky” after Igor Stravinsky, the famous Russian composer.
Another “Spectacle” diamond, a 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink, is called “The Spirit of the Rose” after a Ballets Russes production from 1911.
Alrosa said last summer the Rose was expected to sell for $60 million or more, but no further details about its sale have been disclosed since that time. It did not respond to request for comment on the diamond by deadline.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Alrosa is not releasing any details about the third diamond in the Spectacle collection until it is cut and polished.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
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.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
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.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
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.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
