(IDEX Online) - Alrosa raised $37.8m from the sale of special-size rough diamonds (+10.8-cts) at three auctions in August and September.The Russian miner said reported strong interest and said demand and prices remained high in what is traditionally a quiet time of the year.A total of 349 lots, weighing over 6,000 carats, were sold at auctions in Antwerp, Dubai and Ramat Gan. Alrosa is required by law to sell all stones over 10.8-cts at international auctions.They attracted 300 participants altogether, 80 of whom made purchases.Evgeny Agureev, Deputy CEO, said: "We saw a consistent demand for rough diamonds of high quality and price. At a time when international travel remains limited, there was strong interest in all three international auctions."Alrosa's rough and polished sales slipped again in August to a 2021 low of $306m (provisional). It has been topping up its inventory with rough from the state-run Gokhran as it struggles with record low stockpiles.Pic courtesy Alrosa