Lovers of art and beauty associate Russia with uncompromising splendour on a grand scale. It is not surprising therefore that in Russia every year the sale of diamonds brings almost two billion dollars. Of the trade in diamonds there, 10% is made up of smuggled stones.
Whether or not this a large amount for such an enormous market is difficult to say. It is significant that Russia, alongside Angola and Namibia is recognised as a source of diamonds of the highest quality on earth. While the history of diamond mines in Russia begins in the mid-19th century in the area of the Urals, the most impressive diamond deposit was discovered in Siberia immediately after the Second World War. In the drainage basins of the Tunguska and Vilyuy rivers diamonds are extracted to this day. In fact, one of the most remarkable diamond mines in the world is to be found in Siberia, in Mirny. It is 525 metres deep, and over a kilometre in diameter! Interestingly and a little terrifyingly, helicopters are forbidden from flying over the mouth of the mine. Several have already been dragged in by the vortex of air swirling above the abyss…