James Allen News Center

Moscow – As President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev talked about reducing nuclear stockpiles, Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia got a tour of the Kremlin and its treasures.  Russian First Lady Svetlana Medvedev acted as tour guide, first having tea with them in the Winter Garden and showing them the Church of the Assumption, in which Tsars were crowned.

After seeing the Armory, they then continued on to the State Diamond Fund, founded by Peter the Great in 1719 to ensure that Russia`s greatest jewels would remain the property of the country.  Included in the impressive collection are the 190-carat Orlov Diamond, the world`s largest sapphire, the Shah Diamond, a number of Faberge Eggs, and various pieces of jewelry worn by Russian royalty. 

Perhaps the most dramatic piece in the collection is the crown worn by Catherine the Great and succeeding Russian rulers.  Called the Imperial Crown, the piece has a large red spinel and almost 5,000 diamonds. 

Russia is a major producer of diamonds in the world, so it not surprising that some beautiful pieces come from there.  At this time, those diamonds have become a source of controversy, as Russia is stockpiling diamonds while most diamond companies are reducing production until the worldwide recession eases up.  Critics fear that this is an attempt by Russian diamond company Alrosa, which is state-owned, to manipulate international diamond prices.

The Obama family is in Russia until July 8.