Honored Artist of Russia, People’s Artist of the Karachayevo-Cherkessian Republic. Soloist of the Mariinsky And Bolshoi Theaters. Her soloist programs bring sell-outs not only in Russia but also all over the world.  The gifted ballerina, loving wife and mother and finally just the beautiful woman is speaking about jewelry, jewelry fashion and love for diamonds in her interview to Rough&Polished. 

Anastasia, how do you choose jewelry?  What can influence your choice – some famous brand, some jewelry piece history or advice from relatives and friends?

I cannot say I am feeling some weakness for famous jewelry brands; for me it is important that a jewelry piece is beautiful and I like it.  By my taste for jewelry, I resemble a magpie to some extent for I like all that glitters and large and bright stones – diamonds, aquamarines, topazes…  However, the main thing for me is the situation, which made this or that adornment mine.  I like it very much when I get jewelry as gifts from people close to me and from those whom I love.  Generally, all the most beautiful things for the moment were given to me as gifts by my mother and my husband Igor. 

Do you follow the jewelry fashion?

I think there is no such at all.  Because how can you say, what kind of jewelry items is fashionable today?  They are so different. If some adornment is beautiful and distinguished for its solemnity, gracefulness and refinement, I believe it will never end to be fashionable.  As for myself, I like earrings and bracelets as well as large-size attractive rings – the things that cannot but bring joy if made beautifully. 

Do you take part in auctions?

No, I do not.  The only auctions I took part in were those, which exhibited children’s paintings, and such events were of charitable character. 

Which makes of jewelry do you prefer?

I like Domiani, Graff, Hafner. 

What is your attitude to Russian jewelry houses?

I like them very much and I believe that Russian jewelry manufacturers produce a number of beautiful and attractive things. 

What is your attitude to diamond jewelry?  Do you believe the diamond needs a special occasion?

I like diamond jewelry very much.  To me, this gem brings luck and health.  Of course, the larger the diamonds, the more interest they excite; these gems look very solemn and luxurious.  Diamond can be a decoration for any woman.  To my mind, no special occasion is needed to put on a diamond decoration. 

What is your most memorable impression from an adornment or may be some story in your life related to adornments?

For my thirtieth birthday, my mother presented to me a ring, which was called “Ariadne” and belonged to the “Faberge Golden Collection” series.  Some time later, this ring was lost during one of my performances.  I was so distressed by this tragedy, by the loss that I could not even tell to my mother about it for I just had no nerve to do that.  However, I told about it finally to my husband.  Igor made everything possible to find the artisan who made the ring, although he spent a whole year to find that man – such things were made by the only workshop in Saint Petersburg.  So, for my thirty second birthday quite unexpectedly I was presented a ring, exactly restored, and in addition – earrings made to suit the same style.     

The interview was taken by Ann Tishinski.