Glossary
Russia (Urals)
Emerald and alexandrite were discovered in the Urals – today Russia is important above all for diamonds. In autumn 1830 a peasant found emeralds in the roots of a fallen tree on the Tokovaya river east of Yekaterinburg. Soon afterwards a stone that appeared green in daylight and red by candlelight was noticed in the same workings.
Alexandrite
In 1834 the new stone was named after the future Tsar Alexander II; green and red were also regarded as the colours of imperial Russia. Ural alexandrites show the most distinct colour change and remain the benchmark today. The deposits were largely exhausted as early as the 19th century.
Diamond
Some of the world’s largest diamond deposits lie in Yakutia in Siberia. Russia is among the largest diamond producers and also yields occasional coloured diamonds.
Read more
- KnowledgeHow to read a gemstone dossierA dossier brings together everything that describes a stone – from the laboratory report to custody. Here is how to read it in the right order.Read more
- Laboratory reportsUnderstanding a laboratory reportA laboratory report is a gemstone's most important document. Which information it contains, how to read it and what it does not say.Read more
- GlossaryAbsorption spectrumWhen light passes through a gemstone, the stone absorbs certain wavelengths – the rest make up its colour.Read more
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Updated 2026-10-06