The Federal Customs Service the first time has released data on diamond exports since this information has been declassified. In 2005 Russia exported 23 mln cts of diamonds - a total of $1.7 bln.

Belgium, Great Britain, and Israel were Russia’s main rough diamond export destinations in 2005. Russia exported 10.8 million carats to Belgium for $662 million, 8.8 million carats to Great Britain for $668.5 million and 2.4 million carats to Israel for $233 million.

The average price-per-carat for Russia's rough diamond exports in 2005 stood at $73.9 per carat.

In 2005, Russia exported 14 million carats of industrial diamonds.