Russian diamond mining giant will name a recently unearthed yellow gem-quality diamond “Sputnik V” after the world’s first registered Covid-19 vaccine.
The 100.53-carat rough diamond has dimensions 27 х 28 х 29 mm and a flattened octahedron shape. “Sputnik V” was the world’s first registered vaccine developed in Russia and based on the well-studied human adenoviral vector-based platform. The vaccine has 91.6% efficiency without unusual side effects As of February, 21 countries have been granted use of the vaccine. The vaccine was named “Sputnik V” after the first Soviet space satellite, which gave a new impetus to the global space research.
“Rough diamonds of this size and colour are true natural wonders. Therefore, we decided to name this outstanding crystal after the first Russian coronavirus vaccine, which is also a miracle created by our scientists. The vaccine itself and the fact that it was developed so fast are both exceptional. This gives us hope getting back to life as usual in the foreseeable future,” commented Sergey Ivanov, CEO of Alrosa.
The alluvial diamond deposits in northwest Yakutia, where Alrosa’s subsidiary Almazy Anabara operates, are traditionally the leaders in mining of natural coloured diamonds, including those with exceptionally rare hues.
Alrosa donates Covid vaccine to Angola, Zimbabwe
Alrosa will buy and donate the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines to Angola and Zimbabwe to help those nations’ inoculation programs, Chief Executive Officer Sergey Ivanov said.
With operations in both southern African countries, Alrosa will supply the vaccines once emergency-use authorisation for the Sputnik V vaccine is granted. “Allowing for time needed to produce the vaccine, we expect first shipments to start from the second half of March,” Ivanov said.
Alrosa holds 25 prospecting concessions in Zimbabwe and expects to receive another 15 by the beginning of March. Zimbabwe has also received vaccine donations from China and aims to inoculate two-thirds of its adult population.