Here's why the US doesn't want to ban Russian diamond imports

By Andy Kiersz

While Russia could face more severe sanctions as the situation in East Ukraine remains tense, Morgan Stanley analysts rule out diamonds from any future bans on Russian exports.

In a new research note, Morgan Stanley analysts led by Joel Crane discuss various aspects Russian mineral exports. They point out that Russian state-owned diamond mining giant ALROSA "is the largest producer of diamonds globally (followed by De Beers) and the second largest in terms of sales."

Most of ALROSA's export market is in Belgium, and so the Russian company's interaction with Europe and the West is a big part of its activities.

ALROSA accounts for about 30% of global rough diamonds sales.

"Therefore, full export ban sanctions on exports to Europe and the US would have a very significant impact on global diamond prices and the structure of global auctions. We view this scenario as highly unlikely because the US continues to be the number one diamond consumer globally and we expect it will stay number one for many years to come." [emphasis ours]

The US consumes more than a third of the world's diamonds, and so a more comprehensive ban on Russian exports that would include diamonds, and thus drive up prices, is not something that is likely to happen.