Russian mining company Alrosa has reported the highest level of customer interest in its diamond products in the past eight years, with viewings of rough diamonds in May 2026 more than doubling compared with the same period last year.
According to Alrosa, the number of product screenings conducted for clients reached a record high, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. The strongest demand was recorded for large diamonds weighing 10.8 carats and above, as well as fancy-coloured diamonds.
The company said the trend reflects growing demand in the high-value segment of the market. Since the beginning of 2026, price increases of 6% to 9% have affected around 80% of Alrosa’s diamond production by value in the 2- to 10-carat category. These diamonds are typically used to manufacture investment-grade polished diamonds.
“We note increased activity among our customers, especially in the segment of large and rare fancy-coloured diamonds, which correlates with the growing shortage in this category,” said Dmitry Bereznev, Deputy Director General of Alrosa and Director of the Unified Sales Organisation. “In May, the number of viewings nearly doubled the annual average and exceeded the record set in pre-pandemic 2019. This serves as an indicator of the gradual recovery in demand for rough diamonds.”
Alrosa markets a significant portion of its rough diamond production through competitive sales channels, including auctions and tenders. The company also conducts electronic tenders without the physical display of goods, while spot sales through one-time transactions remain an important distribution channel.
Product screenings are conducted through Alrosa’s Unified Sales Organisation, which oversees the sorting, valuation and pre-sale preparation of Russian rough diamonds before they are offered to buyers.
The latest figures suggest improving sentiment in selected segments of the rough diamond market, particularly for large and rare stones, amid tightening supply and increasing interest from manufacturers and investors.