Marshal ' s Star The marshal ' s star ( ) is an additional badge of rank worn by marshals of the armed forces of the Soviet Union , and subsequently the Russian Federation . The armed forces of the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation have two such insignia for higher military ranks , both in the form of a five - pointed star of gold and platinum with diamonds . They are worn around neck when in parade uniform ( originally under the collar of the parade tunic , since 1955 on top of the necktie ) . There are two different sizes of star . Officially their names have changed , depending on what ranks received the right to wear them , and are known as the large marshal ' s star and the small marshal ' s star . The marshal ' s star corresponds with the western use of the marshal ' s baton . On the death of the recipient , the award is returned to the diamond fund for re - use . In 2013 , a new insignia was instituted for the general of the army , fleet admiral , general of the army of the air force , and additionally , these ranks are now entitled to the marshal ' s star of a new design - now in the pattern of a cross . Recipients . The official name , size and number of diamonds correspond to the marshal ' s rank . Marshal ' s stars were first awarded to the marshals of the Soviet Union and admirals of the fleet of the Soviet Union . In time , smaller stars were awarded to " marshals of an arm of service " and " chief marshals of an arm of service " , admirals of the fleet and later generals of the army of the Soviet armed forces . Large marshal ' s star . The large medallion is distinct for the ranks of marshal of the Soviet Union ( instituted 2 September 1940 ) and admiral of the fleet of the Soviet Union ( from 3 March 1955 ) . In the Russian Federation there is only one title , marshal of the Russian Federation . It is a gold five - pointed star with smooth diagonal rays on the front side . In the center is a platinum , five - pointed star with diamonds . The diamonds in the center have a total weight of 2 . 62 carats and in the rays there are 25 diamonds weighing a total of 1 . 25 carats . Between the edges of rays are 5 diamonds weighing a total of 3 . 06 carats . The diameter of the gold star is and the platinum stars are in diameter . The star has a depth of . The marshal ' s star has a triangular eyelet in the upper beam which is connected to an oval eyelet measuring . The marshal ' s star is suspended by a moire ribbon . The total weight of the large marshal ' s star is . Approximately 200 of this type of marshal ' s star were produced . After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s , the ranks of marshal and chief marshal were abolished , and the marshal of the Russian Federation remains the sole rank entitled to such a decoration . Retired marshals , chief marshals , army generals , and fleet admirals , however , were allowed to retain their former ranks and their corresponding stars . There are presently no holders of the rank of marshal of the Russian Federation in the modern Russian armed forces . Small marshal ' s star . The small star was awarded to marshals of artillery , air marshals and marshals of armoured forces ( from 27 February 1943 ) , marshals of the corps of engineers and signal corps ( from 20 March 1944 ) , admirals of the fleet ( from 5 June 1962 ) , and army generals ( from 1 November 1974 ) . Awards continued in the modern Russian Army until 21 January 1997 for army generals and admirals of the fleet . The decoration is a five - pointed gold star with smooth dihedral rays on the obverse . On top of the gold star there is a smaller five - pointed star made of platinum . In the center of the platinum star there is a 2 . 04 - carat diamond . In the rays of platinum star there are twenty five 0 . 91 - carat diamonds . The total diameter of the gold star is and it weighs . It is connected to a moire ribbon in the same way as the large star . About 370 small marshal ' s stars have been produced . Ribbons . Ribbons colours vary according to the arm of service : gold for artillery ; light blue for aviation ; bordeaux for armoured troops ; crimson for engineers ; blue for signals ; turquoise for the navy .