U.S. March Polished Imports Up 19.18%

$1.518 billion worth of polished diamonds were imported to the U.S. in March, weighing 1,754,353 carats. This is an increase of 19.18 percent in value and 17.5 percent in volume. The average cost per carat is up 1.43 percent to $865.

Though diamond dealers are complaining about the slow U.S. market, it is evident that it is actually showing moderate growth.

Israel, the main supplier by value (53 percent to date), shipped 324,884 carats worth $721.4 million for an average of $2,221 per carat. India, the second largest supplier by value and largest by volume (57 percent to date), shipped 1,029,565 carats valued at $327 million, averaging $318 per carat.

Belgium supplied 149,429 carats to the tune of $276 million, $1,847 per carat.

Interestingly, the highest prices per carat shipments did not come from any of the top polished diamond sources. Only 76 carats of loose diamonds were imported from France in March, averaging $48,755 per carat to a total of $3,705,389.

According to data supplied by U.S. authorities, only two carats came in from Saudi Arabia, with a stated value of $90,000 ($45,000 per carat). According to the records, one carat was shipped from Ghana with a $39,625 price tag.