U.S. Polished Imports Sag 6.78% in September

The U.S. imported $1,380,770,748 worth of diamonds in September.  The imports totaled 1,647,737 carats, an average price of $837.98 per carat (p/c).  September's imports represent a 6.78 percent drop in value, a 3.09 percent drop in volume, and a 3.81 percent decline in average price compared to September 2005.

The decline in imports is significant in light of the timing – just ahead of the November–December selling holiday season.  IDEX Online Research predicts a modest increase in holiday spending on diamond jewelry – about 4.5 percent.

Israel was the leading supplier of polished goods to the U.S., shipping $674.6 million worth of diamonds, weighing 282,460 carats, at an average of $2,388 p/c.  The Israeli imports represent 52 percent of supply by value and 21 percent by volume of diamonds to the U.S.

India, the leading supplier by volume (58 percent) and second by value (20 percent), shipped $339.9 million worth of diamonds weighing 1,070,932 carats, at an average value of $317 p/c.

Belgium, the third leading supplier of polished diamonds, supplied the U.S. with $229.25 million in diamonds, weighing 143,934 carats – an average of $1,593 p/c.