BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

09/07/2007

Belarusian Bank Enjoys Good Diamond Business

IDEX Online Staff Reporter

The National Bank of Belarus has sold since mid December 2005 1,491 diamonds weighing 259.34 carats to the tune of $453,000, according to bank spokesman Mikhail Zhuravovich. Last June, the bank sold $26,000 worth of diamonds.

It's not clear how or why the bank entered the diamond business, but it supplies the bank with a steady income.

The stones are 0.05 to 0.8 carat round cut diamonds, with 57 facets and accompanied by a gemological certificate. The bank, according to Zhuravovich, is considering expanding into princess cut diamonds.

Source:

http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=27817