The crown of Imperial Russia was one of the most resplendent in the world, shining with precious jewels and symbolizing a mighty nation that covered one-sixth of the globe. But in the beginning of our ...

Catherine's most impressive pieces were part of the Russian Imperial Crown Jewels, passed down to successive Romanov rulers until the monarchy was abolished in 1917 amid the Russian Revolution.

Collapsing diamond prices are doing more than frustrate plans to sell industry leader De Beers, they are becoming the latest headache for Russia.