IDEX Online Research: Polished Diamond Prices -0.1% in March
April 03, 12
(IDEX Online) – The average price of polished diamonds was largely unchanged in March with loose diamond wholesalers trying to generate business in a lukewarm global economy. The larger 4- and 5-carat rounds suffered from declining prices.
The full analysis of the polished diamond prices is available to IDEX Online Research subscribers and IDEX Online members here.
The IDEX Online Global Polished Diamond Price Index averaged 139.8 in March, down 0.1 percent compared to February. Wholesale loose polished diamonds maintained their prices, a six-month trend that follows a peak in prices in July 2011.
 Source: IDEX Online Research |
Year-Over-Year Price Inflation Cools
Polished diamond prices rose by 9.1 percent compared to March 2011, the first time in more than 12 months that year-over-year prices have fallen to single-digit levels.
 Source: IDEX Online Research |
Prices of Larger Goods Tumble
While prices of half-carat and smaller rounds were stable in March, the price of 4- and 5-carat diamonds dropped 5.8 percent and 5.7 percent respectively versus February. Prices for 1-carat to 3-carat rounds declined by about 1 percent month-over-month.
The items that pulled upwards most significantly were 0.5 rounds, which rose 0.3 percent from the previous month.
 Source: IDEX Online Research |
On a year-over-year comparison, polished diamond prices in March 2012 were mostly ahead for the key diamond sizes. Prices for half-carat diamonds and four-carat gemstones rose sharply, while price gains were more modest for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 carat gemstones.
Five-carat diamond prices were slightly below the level in March 2011; this is not a positive trend, but trading has been light among this size of stone. This pricing disparity is more or less similar to price trends over the past few months.
 Source: IDEX Online Research |
Year-over-year, 0.5-carat rounds increased by 16 percent, outperforming the larger key-size goods.
The Hong Kong Factor
A relatively quiet
However, the largest change in the diamond calendar was the rescheduling of the important
The excitement, increase in demand and realigning of prices that typically precedes an important trade fair shifted from March to February. As a result, year-over-year comparisons in March are not like-to-like.
Outlook Positive
The
We expect continued steady demand in 2012, with price overall annual appreciation of 2-4 percent compared to 2011.
The full analysis of the polished diamond prices is available to IDEX Online Research subscribers and IDEX Online members here. Click here for more information on how to subscribe or become a member.