In late March, 2005, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin made a work visit to the town of Kostroma, 230 kilometers North-West of Moscow. Kostroma is well renowned for its jewelry industry. It was the Russian President’s opportunity to witness that with his own eyes. A special exhibition showcasing the pieces of Krasnoselskiy Uvelirprom, The Kostroma Jewelry Factory, and the “Topaz” Factory was organized for Vladimir Putin and other high-level guests. Flun Gumerov, the president of Almaz-Holding, walked through the exposition side by side with Russia’s leader and personally presented to him the items. The President of Russia was particularly taken by the works of the Krasonselskiy craftsmen, made with the use of a classic Russian technique of filigree (skan). President Putin was much astonished by the famous the Firebird, the Snow Maiden, and Christ the Savior Temple pieces. “It is just fantastic” – these were the exact words of the Russian President.

The visit marked the first time in history that a Russian President met directly with the leaders of the country’s jewelry business. It was, of course, far from coincidence that President Putin chose to see Almaz-Holding’s Flun Gumerov, one of the most charismatic figures of Russia’s jewelry business.

“Fantastic, superb,” – the visitors of Almaz-Holding’s stand at the JCK Las-Vegas 2005 show reacted exactly the same way as the Russian President. The people stood still, admiring the filigree rose made from silver and precious stones, as well as the marvelous firebird, which, as it seemed, was ready to take off and fly away at any instant. Even as early as 1937, during a Paris World’s Fair, the French were amazed by the openwork and lacy items of the Krasnoselskiy craftsmen, made from gold and silver wire.

According to Flun Gumerov, Almaz-Holding has serious intentions to start working with the American market.

- We are prepared to enter the U.S. market with our products, which are now widely popular in many European countries and former USSR republics. We could offer, first of all, pieces done in the skan-filigree style, a unique ancient craft that has been undeservingly forgotten in the world today. We’d also bring tableware made with a technique of gold-painted silver. We are now the only ones that do all these items. We would also offer jewelry pieces of gold, platinum, and silver, with precious and synthetic stones.”

Almaz-Holding first appeared on the Russian jewelry market in 1993. At that time the company specialized in wholesale of jewelry items of other Russian manufacturers. Very soon, however, Almaz-Holding decided to set up its own production lines based on the experiences it had garnered.

Today, Almaz-Holding has an extensive jewelry retail system [including wholesales], operates a network of pawnshops spread across Russia, and runs a number of jewelry production facilities in Moscow and in several Russian regions. In addition, Almaz-Holding is the founder of a bank created especially for the precious metals market.          

Almaz-Holding produces a very wide range and variety of jewelry items. In fact, in this regard, Almaz-Holding is one of the absolute leaders of Russia’s jewelry industry. The company makes about 10000 different pieces. Almaz-Holding updates 33 % of this inventory every year. The company works with all kinds of non-ferrous metals: platinum, gold, and silver. Almaz-Holding’s jewelers can work with both, natural stones and their synthetic analogs. The diamond jewelry collection that the company created is very widely known.

Through its holding structure, which allows the company to pursue many lines of work simultaneously, Almaz-Holding gives much attention to both, the development of modern high-tech production methods and the preservation of national jewelry traditions. The most vivid reflections of this approach are the pieces produced by craftsmen at the Krasnoye-na-Volge factory, designed in the filigree and the finift styles.

Currently, the major part of Almaz-Holding’s products is comprised of light-weight jewelry items with inserts of natural or synthetic precious stones. Some of the company’s other items, such as silver necklaces and wedding bands, do not feature gem inserts. The production of silverware and tableware pieces is given special attention at Almaz-Holding. In the course of several past years, the company also had good results with its items designed for use in religious services.

Almaz-Holding is very actively engaged in upgrading its production lines. The factories of Almaz-Holding are being supplied with equipment of world-famous brands.

Presently, Almaz-Holding is at the same time a large-scale enterprise and a united endeavor, distinguished by its comprehensive production and retail policy as well as through its highly principled business ethics. 

Address: 7/2 Kosmonavtov St.,

Moscow, Russia 129301

Tel.: +7 (095) 956-89-98/89,

956-95-70/72/73

Fax: +7 (095) 956-95-71,

956-89-89 (EXT. 0141, 0148)

almaz-holding@almaz-holding.ru

http://www.almaz-holding.com