Izumrud (Emerald), Vladivostok

Izumrud, meaning “Emerald,” is one of the long-running jewellery names in the Russian Far East. It opened on December 15, 1936, in a smaller space near the historic Ussuri Cinema. Its first director, Ivan Fedorovich Terya, managed the business until February 27, 1965, guiding it through World War II and much of the Soviet period.

By the late 1960s, the jewellery trade had grown enough for the shop to move into a dedicated building in 1969. This move gave Izumrud a stronger presence in the city centre and later helped shape today’s Izumrud Plaza. For locals, the name became more than a shop sign; even the nearby public transport stop carries the name “Izumrud.”

Today, the complex combines jewellery counters with boutiques linked to Russian craft traditions. Visitors may find gold and silver jewellery, watches, silver cutlery, formal giftware, Imperial Porcelain items, and Pavlovsky Posad shawls. For tourists, Izumrud offers a glimpse of local retail history, Soviet-era continuity, and the lasting importance of jewellery and fine gifts in family celebrations.