Catherine's crown reigns supreme at diamond fair

A replica of Russian queen Catherine the Great's imperial crown stole the show at this week's Israeli diamond market in Ramat Gan, as the industry eyes a recovery.

Set with 11,352 diamonds, the crown took pride of place at the entrance to an enormous hall on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, as hundreds of dealers from 30 countries struck deals at Israel's sixth International Diamond Week.

Israel is one of the world's largest trading centers for rough and cut diamonds, rivaling Antwerp in Belgium and Mumbai in India.