IDEX Online Research: Polished Prices Flat In May

(IDEX Online) – The IDEX Online Polished Diamond Index rose marginally in May to 134.5 from the April figure of 134.2. In round items, 0.5-carat, 1-carat, 3-carat and 4-carat diamonds rose in price.

The IDEX Online Polished Diamond Index began May at 134.1 and ended the month up slightly at 135.2 as is seen in the graph below. As in April, prices were for the most part unchanged in May although there was a slight increase from the middle of the month onwards.

It's important to look at the bigger picture, and that shows that the index is roughly where it was in the middle of 2012.

Prices of polished goods have moved up slightly since March. Polished prices rose strongly in the first quarter of this year, according to market players, but have since moderated.

A comparison of prices in May on the same month last year shows that the prices of all polished diamonds rose last month apart from 1.5 and 2-carat stones. The biggest rises were seen for 3 and 4-carat stones.

With the upcoming holiday period in India and consequent factory closures, the May Sight was at a lower level than recent Sights and estimated in the region of $565 million, according to Mike Aggett, Managing Director of diamond brokers H. Goldie. He said there were limited allocations of Ex Plan goods.

"Although there were various changes in box prices, these were attributed to adjustments in presentation, and De Beers confirmed that prices had in the main remained unchanged. However the Sightholder perception was that in a number of areas there had been a small increase in price. The mood at the Sight was more subdued than recent months as the industry moves into what is traditionally a quieter period."

The full analysis of the polished prices data is available to IDEX Online Research subscribers and IDEX Online members here.