Yakutbrilliant jewelry combines Italian handmade classics and high-quality Yakut diamonds. Gemologist and CEO Anna Dubinina told us how to protect yourself from buying a fake stone and how to choose your ideal diamond.
How and when did Yakutbrilliant appear?
We conceived this project in 2011. We monitored the market, traveled a lot to world exhibitions, looked, analyzed, and realized that there are not many good diamonds and decent settings on the Russian market. Based on this, we chose our partners.
We buy stones from the Gomel Crystal plant in Belarus, because it is precise in everything, excellent work according to high Soviet standards – both the quality of the cut, and the consistent proportions, and a strict assessment. That is, these are absolutely “honest” stones, and, in addition to being cutters, this plant is one of the few buyers that directly purchases diamonds from the largest holding company “Alrosa”. We are given a certificate confirming that these are Yakut diamonds, for each stone.
And today we are the only company whose entire collection up to 0.3 carats is only in the first, top color.
Such stones, accordingly, required good frames…
Yes, to emphasize their value, beauty and uniqueness. After all, the first color is unique. Very few such stones are mined: the first color accounts for no more than 5% of all diamond production.
We started looking for companies that produce beautiful frames. At an exhibition in Italy, we found the best manufacturers – Guerci Pallavidini, the oldest of the local manufactories, founded in 1957. It is a leader in its segment of classic jewelry for all times. That’s how it all came together.
How is the production process going?
We collect statistics – which models are relevant at the moment, for what canvas size. We order the necessary frames from a factory in Italy.
Then we order stones for these frames from the Gomel Crystal plant and already in St. Petersburg we collect, attach the stones and bring the product to its final appearance.
Do you only release regular collections? Or are there any updates?
Let’s say that classics are a rather strict segment. We do not have an abundance of new products from year to year, like many manufacturers. There are updates, this usually concerns frames that are invented in Italy. But basically we work with a kind of backbone of models that have always been sold and will always be sold.
We produce rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, that is, we have almost the entire usual assortment, but created in a rather strict classical style.
Do you produce any unique, collectible items?
We do not make Haute Joaillerie items. Our uniqueness lies in the quality of the stones. And the larger the stone, the better its characteristics, the higher the cost of the product.
That is why it is not entirely correct to say that we produce a mass product – we do not have thousands of copies. I can say with confidence that our customer’s likelihood of meeting a person in exactly the same product, for example, in a Yakutbrilliant ring, is minimal.
What is the average price of your products? For example, popular engagement rings?
At the moment, I think about 100-150 thousand rubles.
And what is the most expensive product?
There have been products for a million, and for three. It all depends on the wishes of the client.
Do you accept individual orders?
Yes, of course. A client comes and likes a certain model. But he wants it, for example, with a stone not 0.5, but 5 carats. Accordingly, we order a frame if we do not have it in stock, we order a stone according to certain parameters, and make the product.
What is the largest diamond you have used?
5.2 carats.
Is size still the only thing that matters to Russian buyers? Or are they more often interested in the 4C parameters when buying?
Our public has become much more literate than 7-10 years ago. Now they have already begun to understand what color is, what clarity is, that the quality of the cut affects the brilliance and play of the stone. Therefore, to our delight, the buyer has become, so to speak, knowledgeable about diamonds. Not everywhere yet, but many are already interested in good stones, good parameters and choose from excellent cuts, colors and quality.
Most of the diamonds you use have the so-called “Russian cut”. Could you tell us what it is famous for?
Yes, it is the so-called Russian Cut Brand, a kind of Russian brand.
