Sharp Decline in U.S. Rough Imports

U.S. rough diamond imports fell 32.53 percent to $68.7 million in June from $101.9 million in June 2006. However, in volume imports leaped 114.54 percent to 119,973 carats from 55,922 carats last year.

The sharp shift resulted in a 68.55 percent drop in the average value of imports – $572.92 per carat.

South Africa was the leading source of rough during the month, shipping 8,038 carats with a declared value of $25.2 million, an average of $3,135.02 p/c.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was the source of 2,846 carats worth $12.5 million, an average of $4,398.94 p/c.