Strong Demand from Antwerp, Declining Interest for Near Gem at Diamdel

(IDEX Online News) – Diamdel sold 251 of the 256 rough diamond lots it offered at its recent auction. Demand for large goods, 2+ ct items, grainers and smaller goods increased compared to the previous auctions, while demand for Near Gem goods "has shown some deterioration," the company said.

The company, a subsidiary of De Beers, does not disclose the total achieved value of its auctions.

Diamdel's fourth cycle of auctions held May16 - June 9, attracted 157 businesses based in Belgium, Israel, India and Asia-Pacific, with 71 companies winning lots.

According to Neil Ventura, CEO of Diamdel, "we continued to witness strong demand across all markets throughout this cycle of sales, especially from Belgium."

"Demand was concentrated in Large, 2+ ct, Grainers and Smalls, rising again from the levels we saw during our previous sales cycle," he added. "Only demand for Near Gem products has shown some deterioration in recent weeks, although we see this as a temporary decline."

By value, 54% of lots were sold to non-Sightholders with Sightholders winning 46 percent. No single buyer won more than 31 lots (12%) from the 256 made available.