Amber Under Control: Russia Launches Full-Scale Gemstone Marking System
Starting in November 2025, all amber extracted in Russia’s Kaliningrad region will undergo mandatory digital marking — a groundbreaking step in the global gemstone industry. The initiative aims to eliminate illegal mining, prevent counterfeiting, and strengthen the reputation of Baltic amber on both domestic and international markets.
Russia’s Amber – the Real ‘Gift of the Sun’
Known poetically as the ‘Tears of the Sea’ or the ‘Gift of the Sun,’ amber is a fossilized resin of ancient conifers that holds both geological and cultural significance.
The Kaliningrad region accounts for nearly 90% of the world’s known amber reserves. However, global market data often diverges from this figure — a sign of the rampant illegal mining and counterfeit trade that has plagued the industry.
Russia currently accounts for about 30% of global amber sales, yet a substantial share of this volume comes from unlicensed operations. Additionally, imitations made from polymers, glass, or plastic constitute nearly one-third of all market offerings.
The new marking system is therefore a strategic and necessary measure designed to restore transparency and traceability to the supply chain.
From Mine to Market: Tracking Every Stone
The marking project will be tested in November 2025 before becoming mandatory across the industry in 2026. The system will operate directly at the Kaliningrad Amber Combine, part of the state-owned Rostec Corporation — the only licensed producer in Russia responsible for amber extraction, processing, and sales.
All raw amber is traded legally through the St. Petersburg Exchange and specialized auctions for processors. Since Rostec took control of the plant in 2013, the enterprise has undergone full modernization, supported by $18 million in investment. Production volumes have doubled — from 250 to 500 tons annually — and output now includes roughly 200,000 decorative and jewelry items per year. To support the new initiative, Rostec has installed advanced equipment for digital labeling and entrusted project management to its subsidiary, the Research and Production Enterprise ‘Thorium’.
Each amber stone and finished product will receive a unique identification code generated by AI-driven software. The system will map the entire production chain — from extraction and sorting to processing and retail — enabling customs and buyers to instantly verify product authenticity. Marking will also cover exports, with automated inspection and digital documentation at customs checkpoints.
Marking as a Tool for Industrial Modernization
While some manufacturers view digital marking as a regulatory burden, Russia’s experience in other sectors shows that the system can deliver measurable operational benefits. For example, in the tobacco industry, the introduction of Data Matrix codes revolutionized logistics and quality control.
Each pack received a unique digital ID registered in the national ‘Honest SIGN’ system, which enabled real-time tracking from factory to retail. This eliminated counterfeit products, accelerated inventory processes from weeks to hours, and allowed defective batches to be instantly withdrawn. The same principles now apply to the amber sector. Digital traceability increases transparency, builds consumer trust, and enhances brand protection. It also acts as a catalyst for digital transformation in traditional industries — even those as ancient as gemstone mining.
