AGD Diamonds recovers rare 229-carat diamond from Grib deposit in Arkhangelsk Region

ARKHANGELSK. Feb 20 (Interfax) - JSC AGD Diamonds has recovered a rare, high-quality diamond weighing 228.62 carats at the Grib deposit in the Arkhangelsk Region, AGD Diamonds posted on Russian social media.

The rough diamond is the first particularly large crystal weighing over 50 carats recovered this year.

"After conducting a preliminary classification, specialists have classified the crystal as a type II diamond with minimal nitrogen content. This type of stone is extremely rare and accounts for a small percentage of natural diamonds at less than 1%. [...] AGD Diamonds has been searching for primary diamond deposits in the Arkhangelsk Region in order to replenish the region's mineral resource base," the company's press service quoted CEO Mikhail Bakov as saying.

AGD Diamonds mines diamonds at the Grib deposit in the Mezensky District of the Arkhangelsk Region. JSC Severalmaz , a subsidiary of Alrosa , also mines diamonds in Pomorye at the Lomonosov deposit in the Primorsk District.

The Arkhangelsk Region's Natural Resources and Forestry Ministry said that diamond production in the Arkhangelsk Region was estimated at 8.2 million carats in 2024. Data have not been published to date for 2025.