The World Diamond Museum based in Monaco mourned the loss of Vladimir Malakhov, the Editor-in-Chief of Rough & Polished magazine. This online publication, known for its comprehensive coverage of the diamond sector, was available in four languages: Russian, English, Chinese, and Portuguese.

Vladimir Malakhov passed away on 17th June, 2023, at the age of 76, following a valiant battle with cancer. Known for his amiable nature and approachability, he fostered a close working relationship with approximately two dozen employees and correspondents around the world. Vladimir maintained a direct line of communication with influential figures in the industry, earning him a reputation as a trusted source within the diamond community.

Under his astute guidance, Rough & Polished emerged as a leading authority on global developments within the diamond and precious metals sector. Even in his final days, he was “soldiering on” the best he could, as he said with a good measure of irony.

Shortly after Malakhov’s passing, the Rough & Polished website went offline, leaving a void in the industry’s access to reliable news and analysis.

Reflecting on the immense loss, Alex Popov, Founder and CEO of the World Diamond Museum, expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “I had a special relationship with Vladimir, and he was one of my close confidants in Moscow. His premature death will leave a huge void. The global diamond industry will miss his quiet attention and great analytic skills. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and close ones. May Vladimir’s memory be a blessing to all who cherished him.”