RAPAPORT... Antwerp• People need a good sellout.
• The Eastern markets of the world are much stronger than the U.S.
• White goods, 10-per-carat and melees, are doing very well, with an increase of 7 to 8 percent from the previous month.
• 3- to 4-caraters+ in better stones are very strong.
ChinaThe goods most in demand in the market:
• 10-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $620 to $650.
• 6-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $830 to $870.
• 4-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $1,040 to $1,050.
• 3-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $1,250 to $1,350.
The market also accepts:
• 10-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, are selling at approximately $550 to $580.
• 6-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, are selling at approximately $770 to $800.
• 4-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, are selling at approximately $920 to $1,000.
• 3-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, are selling at approximately $1,150 to $1,250.
• 3 to 7 points, SI/G-I, are selling at approximately $350 to $400.
• 10 points, SI/G-I, are selling at approximately $400 to $480.
• 15 points, SI/G-I, are selling at approximately $500 to $550.
Hong Kong• Demand for stones larger than 3 carats is still extremely strong in a wide range of colors and clarities.
• Demand for 2-caraters is improving because the difference in price as compared to larger stones stimulates interest. Although the Rapaport List has not moved for this sector, prices are definitely stronger.
• Prices for 1-caraters are adjusting well to the recent increase in prices in the List, due to steady demand.
• Prices are higher for stones smaller than 1 carat. Demand for 0.50 and larger is strong.
• Prices are firm for Indian small sizes and demand is steady but uncertainties about the creditworthiness of some clients makes trading difficult.
India
• Trading activity is slow overall, with local trading doing better than exports due to holidays in overseas markets. Manufacturing units in Surat are still not operational due to the shortages and high prices for rough diamonds.
• -2 is very hot with no fresh production in the past month.
• Stars are stable.
• Movement is good in melee in I1+ and lower piqué.
• Demand is good in 0.08 to 0.18 pointers in I1-I2 and VVS/I+ goods.
• Demand is good for 1/5, 1/4 and 1/3 below $500.
• Demand is good across the board for 0.50 pointers.
• Demand is good for 0.75 pointers in VS+/I+ and there are extreme shortages in 0.80 pointers.
• Demand is very good in 0.90 to 0.99 pointers, with shortages in SI1+ goods.
• Demand is very good across the board for 1 carat+, with discounts down by 2 to 3 percent. There are extreme shortages in premium sizes.
• 2 carats are stable.
• 3 carats are in very good demand across the board, with shortages in all categories.
• In fancy shapes, demand is very good for marquise and pear across the board. Princess cut is slow.
Israel
• Market picked up in U.S. and Hong Kong as Christmas approached.
• Demand for better clarities has increased due to the Macau show. 0.5- to 0.7-carat clean goods, VS2+ are in demand. 0.9 to 1.5 carats are moving well.
• 1 carat in the collection colors D-F is in high demand; 2 carats remain slow; 3 carats+ are scarce and in high demand.
• Fancy shapes remain popular, particularly ovals and marquises in H-K colors.
• Princess cuts in SI clarity, 1 to 1.5 carats are selling well
Japan
• Three-stone jewelry sales are declining substantially this year.
• Single-stone jewelry is coming back and increasing in sales of small pendants and solitaire pierced earrings. Stones range from 0.30 to 1 carat in SI to I1 qualities.
• Fancy shapes in earrings are also moving well, as they have price point advantages over round stones.
• 4/4 and 6/4 grainers in round brilliants are moving steadily.
• 3 carats+ are hard to buy and inventories are low.
• Demand is strong in 5 and 10 carats and inventories are low.
• Capes have gone up in price and are becoming scarce.
• Stars and 1/100 are moving steadily.
Russia• ALROSA sold $29 million worth of diamonds at its 26th international auction. Buyers chose from 95 lots containing 664 stones with a total weight of more than 11,000 carats. The biggest stone was 141.31 carats. The lots included nine stones of more than 50 carats each.
• The round cut dominated the sales in Russia, although marquises saw a slightly bigger demand.
• Gold output fell 2.4 percent in the first 10 months of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006, according to the Gold Producers Union of Russia.
U.S. Retail
• Big-ticket items are doing well, but low-end sales are slow.
• Supplies are tight and prices are high, but most retailers can get what they need.
• Round brilliant cuts are still tops for engagement rings and earrings, but cushion and Asscher cuts are very strong.
• Journey, bracelets and pins selling weakly or not at all.
• Average price for holiday purchase is $2,000; average size is 2 to 3 carats, with earrings averaging about 1 carat total weight; average clarity is VS and average color is F.
U.S. Wholesale
• Rounds, pear shapes and ovals are selling well.
• Princess cuts, cushions especially, are meeting strong demand.
• Demand for Asschers and marquise quiet.
• Larger stones, particularly 3 carat+ of excellent quality, are moving rapidly.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - January 2008. To subscribe click here.