The Diamond Fund Moscow exhibition holds the Russian crown jewels in two rooms of the Armoury building, inside the Kremlin. Diamond Fund Moscow tickets are separate from the Armoury Chamber and the Kremlin museums, and visits run in timed guided sessions.
Many visitors assume the Diamond Fund is part of the Armoury. It is housed in the same building and reached through the same tower, but it is run by Gokhran, the state fund of precious metals and stones, with its own ticket offices. This guide explains what you see and how to buy a ticket.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Алмазный фонд |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1967 |
| Address | Moscow Kremlin, entrance through the Borovitskaya Tower, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tverskoy |
| Metro | Borovitskaya (Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya, gray), about 3 min walk to the Borovitskaya Tower) Alexandrovsky Sad (Line 4 (Filyovskaya, light blue), about 5 min walk through Alexander Garden) Biblioteka imeni Lenina (Line 1 (Sokolnicheskaya, red), about 6 min walk) |
| Opening hours | Guided sessions run daily from 10:00 to 17:20, about every 20 minutes, with a break from 13:00 to 14:00. Closed on Thursdays.
The exhibition is run by Gokhran, not by the Kremlin Museums, so its schedule can differ from the Armoury Chamber's (as of October 2026 – check the official site, gokhran.ru). |
| Admission | A separate ticket is needed, sold by Gokhran. The current price was not confirmed, so check the official ticket site. |
| Best time to visit | Morning sessions are the calmest, and the first session of the day is a good choice. The exhibition is indoors and works in any season.
The break from 13:00 to 14:00 means few sessions at midday, and queues at the ticket windows and the security check can be longer in the middle of the day. The exhibition is closed on Thursdays. |
| Recommended duration | About 1 hour |
| Website | gokhran.ru/en/diamond-fund |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Diamond Fund Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Fund exhibition | Separate ticket or institution | Two rooms with their own ticket and timed guided sessions run by Gokhran. |
| Armoury Chamber | Separate ticket or institution | The same building and tower, but a different institution with its own ticket, sessions and Fabergé eggs; see the Armoury Chamber Moscow article. |
| Cathedral Square and Kremlin grounds | Separate ticket or institution | A different ticket from the Kremlin Museums, with its own entrance through Kutafya Tower. |
| Grand Kremlin Palace | Not open to visitors | Visits were listed as temporarily suspended on the official page. |
| Alexander Garden ticket windows | Outside / not part of it | A free public park where tickets for both the Diamond Fund and the Armoury are sold. |
| Red Square Moscow | Outside / not part of it | On the other side of the Kremlin, with its own sights and hours. |
Why Visit Diamond Fund Moscow?
The Diamond Fund shows the actual regalia of the Russian Empire. The Great Imperial Crown was made in 1762 for Catherine the Great and carries nearly 5,000 diamonds, and the Imperial Sceptre holds the Orlov diamond, which weighs 189.62 carats.
The collection also includes large historic diamonds such as the Shah, gold and platinum nuggets and jewelry by modern masters, so it covers both the imperial past and the state treasury of later periods.
It is a short visit, about an hour, and it combines easily with the Armoury Chamber because both are reached through the Borovitskaya Tower.
How Diamond Fund Moscow Is Laid Out
The Diamond Fund occupies two rooms in the same building as the Armoury Chamber, in the Kremlin complex near the Borovitskaya Tower. Visitors reach it after passing the security check at the tower.
Tickets are sold in Alexander Garden, at windows near the Kremlin ticket offices, or online on the Gokhran ticket site. Sessions are guided and run every 20 minutes or so, so you enter with a group.
The exhibition is arranged by type of object: the regalia and the great diamonds, then the nuggets and jewelry. A sensible plan is to buy the ticket first, then see the Armoury Chamber and the Diamond Fund on the same visit, as both are in the same building.
Highlights of Diamond Fund Moscow
The Great Imperial Crown
Made in 1762 for the coronation of Catherine the Great, the crown is set with nearly 5,000 diamonds arranged in patterns across its surface, topped by a large red spinel. It was used at coronations until 1896 and last worn in 1906.
It is the centerpiece of the regalia display and the object most visitors come to see.
Tip: Look at the top first, where the red spinel stands out against the diamonds.
The Orlov diamond and the Imperial Sceptre
The Orlov weighs 189.62 carats and comes from India. It was set at the top of the Imperial Sceptre in 1774 and is one of the best-known diamonds in the collection.
The stone has a domed, rose-like top and is surrounded by the gold and gems of the sceptre.
Tip: Look at the sceptre from the side to see how the stone is set at the top.
The Imperial Orb
The orb is part of the regalia and carries a large sapphire, reported to weigh about 200 carats.
It stands with the crown and sceptre as part of a set that shows how the Russian court displayed power at coronations.
Tip: Compare the three objects together; they were designed as a set.
The Shah diamond
The Shah diamond weighs 88.7 carats. It is one of the historic stones in the collection and is displayed with other great diamonds.
The stone is shown as an example of the gems that became part of the state treasury.
Tip: Read the label; the story of how it came to Russia is part of the visit.
Gold and platinum nuggets
The exhibition includes large natural nuggets of gold and platinum, shown as objects of scientific and historical value as well as wealth.
They give a different kind of display from the jewels, showing the raw material before it became jewelry.
Tip: Take time with the nuggets; visitors often hurry past them to the crowns.
Jewelry of the 20th and 21st centuries
The collection includes works of jewelry by masters of the 20th and 21st centuries, along with insignia and other items made of precious metals and stones.
These pieces show how the collection continued to grow after the imperial period.
Tip: Look for the contrast between the imperial regalia and the modern designs.
Atmosphere
The Diamond Fund is a small, dim and quiet place. The rooms are lit by spotlights, and the display cases glow against dark walls.
A guide leads each group through the rooms, and visitors speak in low voices. The crowns and stones sparkle only a little at a time, as the light catches them.
Outside, the approach through Alexander Garden and the tower is busy with groups and queues at the ticket windows, and the contrast between the crowd outside and the quiet inside is striking. The first sessions of the morning are the calmest.
History of Diamond Fund Moscow
The roots of the collection lie in the regalia of the Russian Empire. The Great Imperial Crown was made in 1762 for the coronation of Catherine the Great, and it was used at every coronation until that of Nicholas II in 1896. It was last worn in the imperial period at the opening of the Duma in 1906.
In 1774 the Orlov diamond was set into the Imperial Sceptre. It reached Russia in the same period, and the story of how it was acquired is widely told but disputed.
After the revolution of 1917, the crown jewels and other treasures became state property. In 1922 the Soviet government established a state Diamond Fund to keep them, and the collection later grew with new jewelry, large gems and nuggets.
The exhibition opened in the Kremlin in 1967 and is housed in the same building as the Armoury Chamber, which was completed in 1851 by the architect Konstantin Thon. It is run by Gokhran, the State Fund of Precious Metals and Precious Stones.
Today the exhibition shows regalia, historic diamonds, gold and platinum nuggets, insignia and jewelry from the 18th to the 21st centuries. It is separate from the Kremlin Museums, with its own tickets and its own timed sessions.
Legends and Myths about Diamond Fund Moscow
Count Orlov bought the diamond to win back Catherine
Disputed by historians. A well-known story says that Count Grigory Orlov bought the diamond in Amsterdam and gave it to Catherine the Great in the hope of winning back her favor after she turned to another man.
Historians question parts of the account, including whether Orlov bought the stone himself, so it is treated as disputed.
The diamond was stolen from an idol's eye
Legend – historically unreliable. Another tale says the stone was once the eye of a statue in an Indian temple and was stolen by a French soldier.
There is no reliable evidence for this account, and it is considered a legend.
Tickets and Booking for Diamond Fund Moscow
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Fund session ticket | See tickets.gokhran.ru | A guided session in the Diamond Fund exhibition; the current price was not confirmed, so check the official ticket site. |
Tickets are sold by Gokhran, not by the Kremlin Museums. Buy them at the ticket windows in Alexander Garden, listed as window no. 5 on the Kremlin site or windows 4 and 5 on a recent guide, or online at tickets.gokhran.ru.
- Online: available to individuals only from 8:00 to 18:00 Moscow time; outside those hours the site may not load.
- Sessions: guided groups enter about every 20 minutes, and sales for a date that is not yet shown have not opened.
- Entrance: through the Borovitskaya Tower, with a security check, the same entrance as the Armoury Chamber.
Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ. The Diamond Fund ticket is separate from the Armoury ticket. All categories are on the official page, gokhran.ru.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Diamond Fund Moscow
1 hour
Buy your ticket at the Alexander Garden window, pass through the Borovitskaya Tower and join the next guided session. See the Great Imperial Crown and the Orlov diamond, then leave through the tower.
2–3 hours
Take an Armoury Chamber session first, then buy a Diamond Fund ticket for a later session. Both are in the same building, so you can move from one to the other.
Half day
Combine the Armoury and the Diamond Fund in the morning, then walk to Cathedral Square through the Kutafya Tower entrance for the cathedrals. Finish at Alexander Garden.
How to Get to Diamond Fund Moscow
The entrance is the Borovitskaya Tower at the southwest corner of the Kremlin, a few minutes from three metro stations.
- Borovitskaya (Line 9, Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya, gray): about 3 minutes on foot, the closest station.
- Alexandrovsky Sad (Line 4, Filyovskaya, light blue): about 5 minutes through Alexander Garden.
- Biblioteka imeni Lenina (Line 1, Sokolnicheskaya, red): about 6 minutes.
The ticket windows are in Alexander Garden, on the way to the tower. Traffic around the Kremlin is often restricted, so a taxi may drop you a few blocks away.
Accessibility
No official accessibility details were confirmed. The exhibition is in a historic building with several rooms, so contact Gokhran at +7 495 629-20-36 before visiting if you need step-free access or assistance, and check gokhran.ru for current information.
Food Nearby
There are no restaurants in the exhibition area. GUM, on Red Square, has cafes and a well-known canteen-style restaurant, Stolovaya No. 57. The Okhotny Ryad underground mall near Manezhnaya Square has food courts, and the streets around Znamenka and Arbat have many cafes. Check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable shoes and a light layer for the cool rooms. Large bags may need to be left in a cloakroom.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Diamond Fund Moscow
Borovitskaya Tower from Alexander Garden
The red tower and the entrance path framed by trees, a good image of the approach to the exhibition.
Best time: Morning light in autumn
Alexander Garden along the Kremlin wall
The long red wall with the tower and the garden path in the foreground.
Best time: Early morning
Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge
A distant view of the Kremlin towers and palaces across the river.
Best time: Sunset
Photography Rules
Photography rules for the Diamond Fund were not confirmed and are likely to be strict, as in the Armoury Chamber. Follow the guide's instructions and any signs. The exterior and the Borovitskaya Tower can be photographed from Alexander Garden.
Family Suitability
The visit is short, about an hour, and the glittering jewels often hold the attention of older children. The rooms are dim and quiet and groups move together, so very young children may find it hard to wait. Strollers and access were not confirmed, so check with Gokhran. A group size limit applies to each session.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Do both visits on one security pass: after the Borovitskaya check you can reach the Armoury and the Diamond Fund without leaving the building.
- Buy the Diamond Fund ticket first and then plan the Armoury session around it, since the Diamond Fund sessions are the more limited of the two.
- Look at the crown from the top down: the large red spinel is easy to miss among the diamonds.
- Do not expect the Fabergé eggs here; they are in the Armoury Chamber, which is the other half of the building.
- Keep your passport or ID handy at the ticket window in case staff ask for it; rules for foreign visitors can change.
- Check the Thursday closing day for both institutions before building a Kremlin day around the two.
Explore Nearby Diamond Fund Moscow
Sights near Diamond Fund Moscow
Armoury Chamber Moscowabout 50 m away (~1 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Kremlin – about 350 m away (~5 min walk) · typical visit: 3–5 hours for Cathedral Square plus the Armoury ChamberMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Red Square Moscow – about 600 m away (~10 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours for the square, 3–5 hours with St Basil's and one museumMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour Moscow – about 800 m away (~13 min walk) · typical visit: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours; about 1 hour 20 minutes for the full guided tourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts Moscowabout 600 m away (~10 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hours per buildingMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Alexander Garden Moscowabout 200 m away (~4 min walk) · typical visit: 30–60 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Diamond Fund Moscow
Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Stationabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Alexandrovsky Sad Metro Stationabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Aleksandrovsky Sad Metro Stationabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Diamond Fund Moscow
WA Gardenabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasotaabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Gvidonabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ikraabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nightlife near Diamond Fund Moscow
Rule Taproomabout 400 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Rhythm & Blues Cafeabout 400 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Diamond Fund Moscow
Hotel National Moscowabout 700 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Stella Di Mosca Hotelabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
The Carlton Moscowabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Diamond Fund Moscow
Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscowabout 300 m away (~4 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Tatiana Day (Students' Day) in Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Golden Autumn Festival in Moscowabout 600 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
How to visit the Armoury Chamber and the Diamond Fund: What to SeeMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
How to buy tickets for the Moscow Kremlin: Official Sites and VouchersMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cathedral Square Moscow: Kremlin Cathedrals, Tickets and RouteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ivan the Great Bell Tower Moscow: Climb, Views and Kremlin TicketsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Browse more: More in Tverskoy · All Museums · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Diamond Fund Moscow
Is the Diamond Fund part of the Armoury Chamber?
No. They share a building and the same entrance, but the Diamond Fund is run by Gokhran with its own ticket and sessions. See the Armoury Chamber Moscow article for the other exhibition.
Is the Diamond Fund included in the Kremlin ticket?
No. It needs a separate ticket, sold in Alexander Garden or on the Gokhran ticket site. See the booking section.
What is the main exhibit?
The Great Imperial Crown of 1762 and the Imperial Sceptre with the Orlov diamond, which weighs 189.62 carats, are the best-known pieces.
Are the Fabergé eggs in the Diamond Fund?
No. The imperial Fabergé eggs are in the Armoury Chamber, not in the Diamond Fund exhibition.
How long does a visit take?
About an hour, including waiting for the guided session. The exhibition itself is small, with two rooms.
Do I need to book in advance?
Sessions run every 20 minutes or so, and tickets can be bought on the day at the Alexander Garden windows or online. Check the official site for availability.
Who runs the Diamond Fund?
Gokhran, the State Fund of Precious Metals and Precious Stones, under the Russian Ministry of Finance, not the Kremlin Museums.
Is it worth visiting if I have seen the Armoury?
Yes, if you want to see the actual crown, sceptre and large diamonds, which the Armoury does not show. The two collections are different and complement each other.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026.
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