Diamond Fund

The main treasury of Russia preserves unique precious stones and jewelry masterpieces found nowhere else in the world. The collection has been carefully assembled since the 18th century and continues to grow to this day. This exhibition includes imperial regalia, the rarest diamonds, and works of jewelry art, each possessing immense historical and artistic value.

History of the Diamond Fund

Foundation of the Collection under Peter I

It all began with the royal decree of 1719, when Peter I established a special chamber for storing state treasures—the Diamond Room in St. Petersburg. The emperor instituted the strictest rules for safeguarding the valuables: they were kept under three locks, with three of his closest associates each holding a key. Access to the treasures was granted only by Peter I’s personal order. A specially developed regulation stipulated that the most valuable items, especially coronation regalia, belonged to the state and had to be kept in the treasury. The Chamber College strictly monitored compliance with these rules, and the boyars guarding the treasury were personally responsible for the treasures with their lives.

Expansion of the Collection in the 18th–19th Centuries

The period following Peter I’s death until the late 18th century was marked by the reign of women, which significantly influenced the imperial treasury’s composition. The imperial collection grew endlessly with luxurious jewelry during the reigns of Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine II. The Swiss craftsman Jérémie Pauzié was especially favored at court and was commissioned to create the Great Imperial Crown for Catherine II’s coronation in 1762.

Evacuation and the Soviet Period

When World War I began, the treasures were moved from St. Petersburg to the Moscow Kremlin and placed in the Armoury Chamber. After the 1917 Revolution, the collection expanded significantly through the confiscation of imperial jewels from palaces. The first Moscow exhibition of the Diamond Fund was held in 1936. The main exhibits were imperial jewels from the Diamond Cabinet of the Winter Palace. Unfortunately, little remains of the original collection: of more than three thousand items, only 109 survived, and of 13 royal diadems, only one remains. Historians report that much of the treasure was sold abroad in the 1920s–1930s to purchase machinery for the new Soviet state. The collection continued to grow during the USSR era. In the 1950s, a major diamond deposit was discovered in Yakutia, and the Yakut stones proved so large that many took places of honor in the Diamond Fund.

Modern Exhibition

The exhibition of treasures, which opened in the Armoury Chamber building in 1967 to mark the 50th anniversary of Soviet power, was originally intended to last one year. However, public interest was so great that it was decided to make it permanent. Over the next 40 years, around 4 million people visited the Diamond Fund of the Moscow Kremlin. Today, the Diamond Fund is part of Gokhran of Russia—the institution responsible for the accounting, safekeeping, and management of precious metals, stones, and jewelry.

Exhibits of the Diamond Fund

It is impossible to see all the treasures: most remain in closed vaults. Visitors are allowed into only two halls, but even that is enough to make one’s head spin from the brilliance of the jewels.

Exhibition Structure

The Diamond Fund includes several sections:

• Imperial regalia of the Romanov dynasty
• Orders adorned with precious stones
• Jewelry of the 18th–19th centuries
• Works by modern craftsmen
• The largest gold and platinum nuggets
• Uncut Yakut diamonds
• Ural gemstones
• Clothing decorated with jewels

The exhibits are housed in two halls. The first features gemstones from the former Soviet Union, a diamond map of Russia, giant diamonds, cutting techniques, and modern jewelry art. At the center are gold and platinum nuggets. The second hall is devoted to historical treasures.

Symbols of Imperial Power

The centerpiece among the regalia is the Great Imperial Crown, made for Catherine II in just two months. It is adorned with nearly 5,000 diamonds, 75 Indian matte pearls, and an enormous dark red spinel weighing 398.72 carats, one of seven historic gems in the Diamond Fund. The crown’s lower circumference is 64 cm, height with cross 27.5 cm, and weight 2 kg. Other key imperial symbols include the golden orb set with a large Ceylon sapphire weighing 200 carats and an Indian diamond of 42.92 carats, and the scepter with the famous Orlov diamond. The orb is a smooth polished sphere wrapped with a diamond garland, weighing 861 grams and measuring 24 cm with its cross. The Orlov diamond, weighing 189.62 carats, was presented to the Empress by Count Orlov on her name day. These three relics—a white diamond in the scepter, a blue sapphire in the orb, and a crimson spinel in the crown—symbolize the colors of the Russian flag.

Breast Badge “Persona”

One of the oldest exhibits in the Diamond Fund dates back to the late 17th century. For Peter I’s trip to Europe, a series of breast badges featuring the emperor’s portrait in colored enamel on gold was created. These badges became prototypes for the first orders—used by the Tsar to reward special merit. Only four such badges survive today: one in a private collection and the others in the Diamond Fund, the State Historical Museum, and the Moscow Kremlin Museum.

The Seven Great Historical Stones

Three diamonds and four gemstones are considered the pride of the Diamond Fund. Two—the Orlov diamond and the giant spinel—adorn the scepter and the Great Imperial Crown. The remaining five rival them in splendor.

The Shah Diamond

This gem from India has survived almost uncut. Three inscriptions in Persian bear the names of its owners. It was brought to Russia in 1829 as a gift to Emperor Nicholas I. Weighing 88 carats, it is one of the oldest Indian diamonds.

The Portrait Diamond

A unique flat diamond weighing 25 carats, so transparent it resembles glass more than a gemstone. The diamond is set in the center of a Gothic-style gold bracelet, with a miniature portrait of Emperor Alexander I beneath it. It is the largest portrait diamond of exceptional clarity in the world.

Emerald and Sapphire

Another star of the collection is a large bright green emerald weighing over 136 carats, set in a brooch framed with diamond vine leaves. The giant Ceylon sapphire is among the largest in the world. Alexander II purchased it in London for his wife; Russian jewelers later set it in a diamond-studded brooch. The sapphire, weighing around 260 carats, is unique not only for its size but also for its cut—its vivid blue hue is accentuated by over 100 facets.

Peridot

The olive-green peridot was found on an island in the Red Sea. It is said to be unmatched in clarity and color saturation. Legend has it that Emperor Nero watched the fire of burning Rome through this gemstone because of its exceptional transparency.

Gold Nuggets

The diversity of gold nugget shapes is mesmerizing. The nine-kilogram “Camel” nugget vaguely resembles a desert ship, while the 20-gram “Mephistopheles” strikingly resembles Goethe’s Faust character—hence the name. The largest of the gold nuggets is the “Great Triangle,” weighing 36 kilograms. Interestingly, nuggets in the Diamond Fund collection remain there forever and cannot be recycled. Even when new, more impressive finds appear, their predecessors retain their exclusive status.

The “26th CPSU Congress” Diamond

The largest diamond in the collection was mined in the “Mir” kimberlite pipe in Yakutia in 1981. The large light-yellow gem weighing 342.5 carats became one of the world’s largest diamonds. It was named in honor of the 26th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union held that year. In the mid-20th century, the Diamond Fund received several large, uniquely shaped and colored named diamonds discovered in Yakutia: “Creator,” “Star of Yakutia,” “Maria,” “Miner,” and others.

The “Russian Field” Diadem

The original of this piece was lost—officially sold abroad after the Revolution when the young Soviet state needed funds to buy machinery for new factories. Decades later, in the 1980s, it was decided to recreate the diadem from surviving sketches. An artist from Gokhran was even sent to India to select matching stones. An interesting story is connected with this diadem. One day, a visitor from Austria stopped by the Diamond Fund display and exclaimed, “Well made! But the original is in my possession!”

“Caesar’s Ruby”

A pendant with a large crimson stone shaped like a grape cluster—one of the brightest exhibits. Despite its name, it is not a ruby but a rubellite, a rare tourmaline variety, and Julius Caesar had nothing to do with it. The gem was brought to Russia by King Gustav III of Sweden as a gift to Catherine II. According to legend, he told the Empress that in Sweden, it was called “Caesar’s Ruby” because it supposedly once belonged to Caesar, gifted to him by Cleopatra. In fact, the stone’s documented history begins in the 16th century. It was long kept in the treasury of the King of Bohemia, later moved to Sweden, and finally reached Russia. For many years, the gem was called the largest ruby in Europe because of its color. Russian mineralogist A. E. Fersman disproved this by proving its true nature.

Diadem of Empress Maria Feodorovna

An exquisite 19th-century jewel belonging to the wife of Paul I. The diadem, shaped like a triangular kokoshnik, impresses not by the size of its gems but by its refined beauty and elegance. The ornament is encrusted with diamonds of various shapes and cuts, some of which are movable, trembling and shimmering with the slightest motion of the head. A rare pale pink diamond shines in the center.

Diamond Brooch “Rose”

A unique exhibit inspired by a flower forgotten on a park bench. The brooch was crafted in 1970 based on two photographs of imperial jewelry. The jeweler aimed to create not just a brooch but a lifelike flower. Workshop staff repeatedly brought him roses and even whole bouquets, but none suited. He finally found “the one” flower by chance on a bench in Moscow’s Filevsky Park. Its uniqueness lies not only in the story. The brooch is made of gold, platinum, and 1,466 tiny diamonds. The flower is attached to its stem by an invisible spring, and even the slightest movement makes a cloud of diamond sparks flare around it.

Order of the Golden Fleece

An unusual decoration in the shape of a flower and a ram. This exquisite order is made of gold, diamonds, and rare rose-lilac Brazilian topazes. Such hues are achieved through heat treatment. The owner of the order is unknown. Some believe it may have belonged to Emperor Alexander I, though mineralogist A. E. Fersman, judging by the gem cutting, dated it to the mid-19th century and suggested it could have belonged to Alexander II or Alexander III.

Order of St. Andrew the First-Called

Founded by Peter I in 1698, this was the highest award of the Russian Empire, given for military and civil merit. The order consists of a cross, a star, and a ribbon, and for ceremonial occasions—a chain. The exhibit on display is made of gold and richly adorned with gemstones.

Diamond Port-Bouquet

This miniature brooch, made around 1770, served not only as jewelry but as a tiny vase for flowers. Its stems are gold, covered with green enamel, and tied with a large diamond-studded bow. The brooch, shaped like a small vase, was pinned to clothing with pins. The top opening was meant for inserting a tiny bouquet of fresh flowers.

Pandora Doll’s Hat

A miniature brooch replicating a fashionable women’s hat of the 1770s. The elegant hat, striped with bright red rubies and diamonds, is adorned with an emerald bow and a laurel branch with green enamel. The piece’s name has an interesting origin. Before fashion magazines appeared in Russia in the late 18th century, ladies used special dolls to select their outfits. New models and jewelry were fitted on these dolls before being ordered from jewelers and ateliers. This practice often cost their husbands a fortune—hence the dolls were nicknamed “Pandoras,” after the Greek beauty who brought ruin to men.

The Great Bouquet

A luxurious adornment created in 1760 for the corsage of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna’s gown. Made of diamonds and emeralds, it represents a masterpiece of 18th-century jewelry art.

How to Visit the Diamond Fund

Location and Access

The exhibition is located in the Armoury Chamber on the grounds of the Moscow Kremlin. To enter, visitors must first pass security at the Kutafya or Borovitskaya Tower, then proceed to the Armoury Chamber. Nearest metro stations: Biblioteka Imeni Lenina, Borovitskaya, Arbatskaya, and Aleksandrovsky Sad. The latter is the closest to the ticket office. You can also use surface transport: take a bus to “Borovitskaya Square,” “Lenin Library,” or “Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge,” then walk 5–10 minutes.

Visiting Rules

• Entry is allowed only with organized groups of up to 20 people; individual tours are not possible
• The tour lasts 45–50 minutes
• Tours start every 20 minutes
• Arrive 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time
• Security checks at the Kremlin gate take about 30 minutes
• Photography and video recording are prohibited
• This ban includes both professional cameras and phones
• Sound on mobile devices must be turned off
• Photo/video equipment and metal objects are not allowed
• Large bags must be left in storage, outerwear in the cloakroom

Ticket Purchase

Tickets can be obtained in several ways:

1. At the exhibition ticket office: Moscow, Aleksandrovsky Sad, Manezhnaya Street, property 2–10, building 3
2. Reserve on the official Gokhran website up to 34 days in advance
3. Through travel agencies as part of guided groups

Electronic tickets must be exchanged for paper ones at the ticket office. A passport is required for purchase. Reserved tickets must be collected on the day of the visit at least one hour before the tour; otherwise, the reservation is canceled.

Ticket Prices

• Regular ticket — 800 rubles
• Discounted ticket for students, schoolchildren, and pensioners with valid ID — 100 rubles
• Children under 7 years — free admission

Opening Hours

Ticket offices operate from 09:00 to 16:30, with a break from 12:00 to 13:00. Tickets are sold daily except Thursday and holidays. The Diamond Fund is open from 10:00 to 18:15, with a break from 13:00 to 14:00. The last entry is at 17:20. Open Friday through Wednesday; Thursday is closed. During holidays and weekends, demand for tours rises sharply, and the schedule may vary. Check the official Gokhran website for current information.

Excursion Combo

You can book an excursion combo—for example, visit the Diamond Fund with a Moscow guide. The tour usually includes not only the treasury but also a walk through Alexander Garden or other Kremlin attractions.

Conclusion

The Diamond Fund of Russia is a collection of jewelry masterpieces, rare gemstones, and precious metal nuggets. The abundance and brilliance of jewels make a dazzling impression. A massive sapphire, a portrait diamond, a movable brooch flower, imperial regalia—the list of magnificent exhibits goes on. Each piece holds immense historical and artistic value, together forming one of the world’s greatest collections. The unique exhibition, which opened in the Moscow Kremlin’s Armoury Chamber over half a century ago, has a history closely intertwined with that of Russia itself. It’s best to see these treasures with your own eyes—perhaps during a Kremlin tour or a walk around Moscow with a local guide. The Diamond Fund is not just a museum but a living testament to the grandeur of Russian history, the artistry of jewelers through the ages, and the country’s natural wealth.