Almaznyy Fond

Amazing exhibition but difficult to get tickets

The Diamond Fund inside the Kremlin is absolutely stunning! You will see jewels and relics from every aspect of Russian history! It's worth the extra 1000 rubles to see this!

Be aware of rudeness and disorganization!!!! From begging , if you are planning to buy a tickets from the office , DO NOT listen cashiers to come 30 min prior!!! The security officer at the check point told as that it will be getting us inside on time. Well , it was not, we were there 45 min outside waiting in the cold and rain! About collection of the Fund itself : sure it was interesting and impressive, BUT our guide ( older lady) was rude and disrespectful. She created the “ rules” that other guides with the groups did not had. We as a group supposed to be staying about 4-5 feet away from the banister of the window in a very particular shape! And if you would not follow you would we condemned! There were no questions to asked! The knowledge and information given to us was very “ dry”, She shows no interest in what she was doing. our guide was rude and unapproachable! After excursions , I had to ask administrators to take that tour over again with different guide. Stay way from the older lady guide!!!! !

Wonderful exhibits with many extreme gems from a variety of regions in Russia. Fabulous collection of diamonds both rough and faceted!

Russian Empresses - Peter the First (and as it happens the Last thank Goodness) daughter Elizabeth and effectively her almost immediate successor Catherine the Great (Russian version of the Blue Beard, except he was killing wives, this monster of a woman killed her husband who was a true gentleman and sympathizer of another gentleman- Napoleon. The gorgeous English style park he built near his St Petersburg residence - Pavlovsk - is a must to see if St Pete is on your agenda) Back to the empresses - evil and not so evil - both of them had an impeccable taste in jewelry. Do not know how they managed to wear some of the pieces as clearly those earings are way too heavy for any woman's earlobes. But I suppose noblesse oblige. (pardon my French, pun intended:)). The collection is gorgeous and would rival that of the British Crown in the Tower of London.