Russia is world's second largest producer of diamonds just behind Botswana and accounts for about 21% of global diamonds produced. When speaking about Russian diamonds, three regions take special place: the Arkhangelsk region, Perm region and the Sakha/Yakutsk Republic. Most diamonds are mined in Sakha Respublikata in Yakut (Yakutia) of Siberia, just below the Arctic circle.
Yakutsk is the capital city of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and this area is not only filled with diamonds but also with gold and oil. Sakha Republic is place where major Russian producers operate large open-pit mines on the Udachnaya and Jubilee kimberlite pipes.
Udachnaya mine ("udachnaya" meaning lucky) is the largest diamond deposit in Russia and has produced very high quantity of big diamonds (for instance a 301 ct diamond was recovered in August 2003). This mine is also producing by number of experts, world's clearest diamonds.
Jubilee mine started its work in 1986 and it is open pit mine just as Udachnaya mine. This mine is constructed over the 'Yubileinaya' kimberlite pipe.
Anabar mine is also located in Sakha Republic but harsh weather conditions (most northern of all Russian mines) cause this mine to operate just during the short summer season.
Siberia certainly holds many more diamond deposits which just wait to be discovered so Russia's diamond future looks to be very bright and Russia has even potential (considering huge area this country covers) to overtake number one spot from Botswana in years to come.
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