"The Russian classification is very detailed and differs from international practice. In this regard, we asked our colleagues to bring with them a group of experts who are engaged in the international classification in order to streamline this classification in Russia. And most likely, Russia will move towards convergence of the classification with the international market, so that buyers who are in different countries of the world are more familiar with accompanying documents for diamonds. It's quite a painstaking job, it will take two years to do it," - Yurin said.
Also, Gokhran does not plan to purchase diamonds for the state fund in 2018.
"All the plans of Gokhran were completed in 2017. Everything that was planned was purchased, one of the (precious) metals that we were going to buy was mostly gold, almost nothing was acquired as far as stones are concerned. We sold the planned volume of goods, too," Yurin added.
Last week ALROSA reported that in 2017 it sold diamonds worth $2.89 million to Gokhran.