Abstract An investigation of chromian spinels in the matrix of kimberlites from diamond‐bearing, low‐grade, and barren pipes in the southeastern White Sea coastal area suggests that chromian spinels from these three groups can be recognized on the basis of their morphology, and thus can be used as prospecting criteria. The information is of particular relevance, inasmuch as the mineral deposits are located in the vicinity of the most promising new diamond finds in Russia, at Pomor'ye, on the eastern shore of the White Sea in northern Arkhangel'sk Oblast (see Bond et al., 1992, pp. 642–644).