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Antwerp
• 2.5 to 4.5 carats in H-I, VS+ are moving well.
• In general, everything is moving, due to either shortage of goods or speculation.
• There is some concern that a bottleneck could occur in September because people will need to buy rough, but the polished sales aren’t following.
Polished
• 4-grainers in H-I, VVS are moving well.
China• The market in China moved into its traditionally slower, but still stable, period in June.
• Demand is stable for rounds in 0.15 to 0.69 carats, G+, VS and in 0.15 to 0.69 carats, I-J, VVS.
• Demand remains good for rounds in 0.30 to 1.10 carats, D-H, VS, Gemological Institute of America (GIA)–certified diamonds in triple EX, double EX and EX cut grade with none to faint fluorescence. SI1 goods have a smaller but decent market share. The asking price for triple EX goods continues to increase.
Hong Kong• Rounds in D-F in SI in all sizes are in very strong demand. However, Asian markets still won’t accept black imperfections.
• Demand is very strong for G-K in VVS clarities from 50-pointers and larger, but supply is extremely low. Sizes larger than 1 carat in SI in this color range are increasing in popularity.
• Demand is good for K-M colors in 1-carat sizes and larger.
• 5- to 10-carat sizes in VVS are moving well in K colors. Demand is still low, with sporadic bursts depending on customer demand. Fancy cuts, especially cushions and pears in these colors, are more popular than rounds.
• Demand for DIF remains constant, as some consumers look to these stones as investments and choose the size based on how much they have to invest.
India• Demand is good in the domestic market for stones above 0.50 carats in G-J colors.
• Little demand is being seen domestically in D-E, but demand is growing for F color.
• VVS and VS have been showing good demand in the domestic market and now the same is being seen in the China and Hong Kong markets as well.
• For the export market, demand is very good for 30- to 90-pointers with certificates.
• Colors are not doing too well in the international market, except for the first shade and 1-caraters, for which demand is good up to L color.
• Demand from the U.S. market is still sluggish, but the Far East is showing interest in procuring polished from India.
Israel• Good demand exists for 0.50- to 1.50-carat, H-K, SI stones, which moved well at JCK.
• Goods up to 0.70 carats suitable for the jewelry market also enjoy good demand, with some short supply for D-E color.
• Demand for 2-carat, D-H, SI1+ stones is starting to improve.
• L-M colors in white VS2+ clarities are moving to the Hong Kong market.
• Demand is sporadic, but generally quiet, for large-size stones.
• Among fancy shapes, princess cuts are strong.
Russia• ALROSA sold $2.17 billion worth of rough in 2008, down from $2.79 billion in 2007, according to the company’s final financial statement for the year, which was approved at its shareholders meeting June 20. In other final results, the company sold $157 million of polished diamonds, reported net profit of $50 million and spent $290 million on mining construction work.
• Russia exported 135,597 carats of rough diamonds worth $724,000 in the first quarter of 2009. This amount is almost 50 times less than in the first quarter of 2008, according to a Ministry of Finance report.
• Russia imported 45,397 carats of rough diamonds, worth $29.5 million, in the first quarter of 2009.
U.S. Retail• Round is still the top-selling shape, followed by princess.
• The most popular carat weight is ¾, followed closely by 1-carat stones. Light carats, such as 0.80 and 0.90, also continue to move.
• SI1 is the top-selling clarity.
• H is the preferred color, followed by I.
• 14- and 18-karat white gold outsells platinum in most markets, and palladium is on the rise.
• The average price for an engagement ring, including stone and setting, is about $5,000.
U.S. Wholesale
• 3⁄4- to 11⁄2 -carat diamonds are moving moderately, driven by the bridal market.
• 2-carat-and-larger diamonds are being discounted due to weaker demand.
• SI2 to VS2 clarities are the best sellers.
• Demand for VVS diamonds is mostly quiet.
• Clients are buying F to H colors.
• Rounds are the most popular shape, with cushions and radiants coming in second.
• Bread-and-butter princess diamonds remain hard to find, despite the fact that cutting has resumed.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - July 2009. To subscribe click here.