Based on materials from the official web-site of ALROSA.

On March 31, 2006 the 13th international special-sized rough auction that kicked off on February 20, 2006 and was organized by ALROSA in conjunction with the Diamond Chamber of Russia closed its work in Moscow.

44 Russian and foreign companies, all having high business reputation and specialized in manufacturing large-sized goods, from Israel, Belgium, India, Japan, China, USA, Belarus participated in it as bidders.

The lots were available for preview on the premises of the Diamond Chamber of Russia during a month.

153 boxes (composed of 1110 diamonds) with an aggregate weight of approximately 19 thousand carats were offered for sale. Those included 15 exceptionally large rough diamonds, each of over 50 carats, that had failed to be classified as ‘unique’ by a special expert panel of the RF Finance Ministry. The largest of the diamonds offered for sale weighed 343.62 carats.

133 boxes have been sold bringing altogether the total of USD 27.5 million.

The next auction will open on 3d April, 2006. The results will be announced on 18th May, 2006.