Russia’s State Diamond Fund is essentially the depository into which Russia’s greatest treasures are kept. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1719 in order to maintain Russia’s crown jewels as property of the Russian state, rather than by ruling families themselves. The Russian State Diamond Fund works as a treasury, but its historical intent held the monarchs of Russia responsible for the contents of the Fund – the jewels, precious gems, and precious metals contained therein were not to be sold, given away, or modified, and each royal ruler was to leave a percentage of their acquisitions to the Fund (Nicholson, n.p.).

The Diamond Fund was originally housed in St. Petersburg, in the Diamond Chamber, which was a secure room located in the Winter Palace. Today, these jewels and gems reside at the Moscow Kremlin. Some of the items in the State Diamond Fund are on display at the Armory Museum. Many of the most historically important royal regalia come from Peter the Great’s donation to the Fund, including the Crown of Monomakh.