Value of 2006 Japanese Polished Diamond Imports Fall 4.2%

Total polished imports to Japan sagged in 2006, decreasing 4.2 percent in value to $1.007 billion. The volume of annual imports increased 10.4 percent to 2,707,232 carats, setting the average annual import price at $372.05 per carat (p/c).

India was Japan’s leading supplier of polished goods in 2006. India exported $438.75 million worth of diamonds, weighing 2 million carats to Japan, which represents 43.6 percent of all Japanese diamond imports by value, and 77.2 percent by volume. The average annual value was $209.82 p/c.

While India and Belgium succeeded in preserving the value of their imports to Japan, imports from Israel, the third largest supplier, slumped 19 percent.

At the same time, Imports from China leaped 85.1 percent in value in 2006.

Imports in December were generally weak, falling 23 percent in value to $61.7 million.

Gold jewelry imports rose by 10.3 percent to $64.74 during the year while platinum jewelry enjoyed growing popularity. Platinum imports increased 37.2 percent to $441.26 million. In terms of weight, imports rose 10.9 percent to 4,273,693 grams.