The global slowdown continues with little sight of abating. In New York, holiday season orders are doing little more than trickling in, although larger goods in better qualities are moving. Antwerp saw a virtual halt in trading activity with an absence of buyers and demands.
In Ramat Gan, traders are still puzzling over the recent list price drops, arguing that it does not help the market any. In Mumbai, even the smaller sizes that were maintaining some buoyancy are no longer trading. Finally, in the Far East, traders are sitting back and waiting to see how the situation develops knowing that even their hardest efforts are going to go unrewarded at present.
U.S.
As the economy continues to decline, the New York market remains very slow. Reflecting the economic recession, orders for the holiday season are trickling in. Larger goods in better qualities are in demand and moving, however, pricing has decreased. This – coupled with traders' limited inventories – means goods are hard to obtain.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, slow
0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand
1/5, D-J / VS+, moving
1/4-3/4, white / pique, slow
0.25-0.90 cts, D-J / VS+, good makes, selling
1-5 cts, white / pique, slow
2.50+ cts, D-M / SI1+, good makes, certified, moving
Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 cts, D-K / SI+, slow
Marquises, Pears, Ovals, Emeralds and Hearts, 0.25-5.00 (mainly 3.00+) cts, D-K / SI+, mediocre demand
Antwerp
Trading levels remained very low. There was an absence of buyers in the exchange and very few demands. Traders say the drop in the prices of polished goods will lead to further upheaval in the already disturbed market.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, across the board, mediocre demand
1/5, D-J / VS+, slow
1/4-3/4, white / pique, slow
0.25-0.90 cts, G-K / VS+, good makes, slowing
1-5 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, slow
1.00+ cts, G-L / SI1+, good makes, slow
Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 cts, D-K / SI+, very slow
Marquises, Pears, Ovals, Emeralds and Hearts, 0.25-5.00 cts, G-K / SI+, very slow
Tapers and Bageuttes, 1/10-1/6, D-I / SI+, mediocre demand
Ramat Gan
Israeli traders are still very disturbed about the recent move to bring down prices in The List. They argue that it makes no sense since there is practically a ‘freeze’ and no trading in the market at all. Many note that bringing down the prices so sharply will not support the market or help improve the demand situation.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, across the board, slow
1/5, across the board, slow
1/4-3/4, white / pique, mediocre demand
1/4-3/4, D-J / VS+, good makes, slow
1-5 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, very slow
1-2 cts, G-K / VS-SI, good makes, slow
3.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, slow
Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 cts, D-J / VS+, slow
Pears, 2.00-3.00 cts, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand
Marquises, Emeralds, Hearts and Ovals, 1-2 cts, D-J / SI+, slow
Mumbai
Trading levels remained very low at the Mumbai diamond market with practically no movement – even in the smaller sizes that had recently showed some movement. Traders are confused and unsure where the market is heading.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, across the board, slow
1/5, across the board, slow
1/4-3/4, white / pique, slow
1/4-3/4, D-J / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand
0.80-0.90 cts, D-I / VVS, slow
1-3 cts, white / SI to pique, slowing
1.00-1.25 cts, G-H / IF-VVS2, good makes, mediocre demand
1-3 cts, D-L / VS+, mediocre demand
4.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, slow
Fancy Cuts
Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 1/4-3/4, D-J / VS+, slow
Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 1/4-3/4, F-J / VS+, slow
Emeralds, Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 3.00+ cts, H-J / VS+, very slow
Far East
No change in the low movement was seen at the Hong Kong diamond market. Traders are taking a break, and not working hard to sell because they know even their best efforts will not bring them any luck. For the most part, it’s a wait and watch situation.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, mediocre demand
0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / SI1+, good makes, slow
1/5, G-J / VS+, slow
1/4-3/4, across the board, mediocre demand
1.00-5.00 cts, white / pique, slow
1.00+ cts, D-M / SI+, very slow
Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Radiants and Emeralds, 1-3 cts, H-K / SI+, slow
Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-K / VS+, slow
Marquises, Pears, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI+, slow
Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/2, H-J / VS+, mediocre demand
