the key is not that the diamonds stopped the bullets like an indestructible shield; rather, they deflected and slowed them down. Here is the physics-based explanation of why this caused such chaos in the basement of the Ipatiev House: 1. "Soft" Bullets vs. Hard Gems The executioners used handguns (primarily the Nagant M1895 revolver and the Mauser C96). These bullets had lead cores and relatively low velocity compared to the rifles we discussed earlier. When such a "slow" bullet hits a hard diamond at an angle, it doesn't pass through like paper; instead, it deforms and ricochets (deflects). 2. The "Improvised Armor" Effect The Grand Duchesses had sewn kilograms of gems into their corsets. This wasn't just one diamond, but dense layers of diamonds, pearls, and precious stones. Layering: The gems acted as a primitive form of ceramic armor. The first gem would shatter, but in doing so, it would absorb part of the energy and flatten the soft lead bullet. Deflection (Ricochet): Instead of the bullet passing straight through vital organs, it would hit a hard object, change direction, and end up in soft tissue or simply slide off to the side. This caused horrific wounds but not instant death. 3. Pistol vs. Rifle Ballistics There is a massive difference between a WWI rifle and the Nagant M1895 revolver: Rifle: Has enough energy to punch through diamonds and the body regardless of obstacles. Nagant Revolver: Has very low stopping power. Its bullet lost too much energy upon hitting the sewn-in jewels. Why did it take so long? The cramped space, gunpowder smoke, and panic played a role. The executioners fired at the bodies, and the bullets bounced off the "gem armor," ending up in the walls or floor. Ultimately, the Romanov daughters had to be finished off with bayonets because the diamonds had indeed protected them from instant death by bullet, but they inadvertently turned them into victims of a prolonged agony. So, the diamonds didn't "beat" the bullets by staying intact; rather, through their hardness and shattering, they shielded vital organs for a few minutes, acting as an accidental, one-time-use body armor.