U.S. Polished Diamond Imports in August Flat
October 16, 06 by Edahn Golan
Polished diamond imports to the U.S. in August rose a slight 0.25 percent to $1.2 billion on shipments of 1,457,128 carats for an average price per carat (p/c) of $823.95. With an 11.28 percent decline in the volume of imports in August, the average price per carat rose 13 percent from $729.15 p/c last year.
During the first eight months of the year, polished imports totaled $10.994 billion on shipments of 10,275,616 carats for an average of $1,070 p/c. This represents a 10 percent increase in value, a 7.2 percent decrease in volume, and an 18.52 percent decrease in average price compared to the first eight months of 2005.
Israel and India continue to head polished goods supplies to the U.S.. Israel shipped $648.4 million worth of goods in August, about 54 percent of total shipments by value. Israel exported 289,720 carats to the U.S at an average declared price of $2,238 p/c.
The U.S. imported 948,086 carats from India, about 65 percent of total polished diamond imports in August. They were valued at $302.5 million for an average $319 p/c.
Belgium was the third largest supplier by both value and volume, shipping 90,291 carats worth $129.6 million, averaging $1,435 p/c.
