Alrosa Commits to Holding Tenders in New York

Alrosa and the DMIA held a series of discussions earlier this year to see how Alrosa could increase its activities in New York.

"Alrosa recognizes the opportunities New York's diamond and jewelry industry has to offer and the city's importance as the access point to the world's largest consumer market for diamonds, gems and jewelry," VanderLinden said.

Alrosa vice president Alexander Malinin, general manager of Brillianty Alrosa, the company's cutting and polishing division, said Alrosa looked forward to extending its operations in New York. "The overwhelming majority of diamonds, gemstones and jewelry come into the American retail and consumer market through 47th Street.

"The volume of business done in Manhattan is huge and we simply need to be there, where the action is," he said. He added Alrosa would be moving into larger office space in 580 Fifth Avenue (The World Diamond Tower) to accommodate the extension of its platform of operations.

Meanwhile, Vladlen Nogovitsyn, Alrosa's head of marketing, said: "Further proof of Alrosa's determination to extend its involvement in the American / New York market is its negotiation of a contract with Tiffany & Co. and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Sotheby's for the sale of important stones."

VanderLinden said the DMIA looked forward to working closely with Alrosa. "As New York's leading diamond industry organization, the DMIA has our fingers on the industry's pulse. We look forward to Alrosa becoming an official member of DMIA as soon as possible."