The feeling in New York seems to be that the market is slowly beginning to rebound after a difficult few months. Traders are especially interested in moderately priced, medium quality goods. Slow trade in Antwerp is placing extra pressure on the success of the Hong Kong show. Israeli traders have also sent a lot of goods to Hong Kong where they have seen better business of late than in the U.S. market. There is some increased demand in Mumbai for moderately priced goods. In Hong Kong, the show opened with very few buyers noted on the first day. Sellers don't really expect too much from the show but say they cannot miss any sales opportunity.

 

 

U.S.

The New York market is showing a path of slow but steady rebound after a very slow past few months. Demand levels and buying activity continue to increase.

 

While traders continue to target moderately priced, medium quality goods to restock their inventories, pique goods remain relatively quiet. Pricing is still an issue, though traders, retailers and wholesalers are taking on a "light at the end of the tunnel" approach as movement increases for round carat sizes.

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, slow

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, moving

 1/5, D-J / VS+, slow

 1/4-3/4, white / pique, moving

 0.25-0.90 cts, D-J / VS+, good makes, selling

 1.00-2.00 cts, D-J / VS+, picking up

 1-5 cts, white / pique, slow

 2.50+ cts, D-M / SI1+, good makes, certified, moving

Fancy Cuts
 Princesses,1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI+, moving

 Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 cts, D-K / SI+, picking up

Marquises, Pears, Ovals, Emeralds and Hearts, 0.25-5.00 cts, D-K / SI+, mediocre demand


Antwerp
Slow movement prevails at the Antwerp diamond exchange. Many traders have shipped their goods to the Far East in hopeful expectation of sales at the Hong Kong show, which began yesterday. Traders are still being extra cautious about conducting any business as they are still fearful they won't see their money.

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 / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand

 1.00-2.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, slow

 1.00-2.00 cts, G-L / SI1+, good makes, moving, with strong resistance to prices noted

 3.00+ cts, across the board, slow

Fancy Cuts
 Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1.00-2.00 cts, D-K / SI+, slow

 Marquises, Pears, Ovals, Emeralds and Hearts, 1.00+ cts, G-K / SI+, slow

 Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/6, D-I / SI+, picking up


Ramat Gan
There was yet another week of slow movement in Israel. Many traders have sent a lot of their goods to the show in Hong Kong in anticipation of sales. Despite their effort, they expect very little return, but they also know they have no choice other than to try their luck there. Recently, many Israeli traders have been more active in Hong Kong, which they see as an alternative to the reduced business in the American market.

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, across the board, slow

 1/5, across the board, slow

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, slow

0.25-0.90 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand

0.70-0.90 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, mediocre demand

 1.00-3.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, slow

1.00-2.50 cts, G-J / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand

 3.00+ cts, across the board, slow

Fancy Cuts
Princesses and Pears, 1.00-2.50 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand

 Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1.00-1.50 cts, G-J / SI+, slow

 Marquises, Emeralds, Hearts and Ovals, 1.00-2.00 cts, G-J / SI+, slow

 3.00+ cts, all fancy shapes, across the board, slow


Mumbai
Some increased movement is noted in the Indian diamond market, but only for goods that are moderately priced. This market is used to buying and selling high value items, larger sizes, excellent makes and colors, however, these days, no transactions of high dollar value are taking place. Instead, each deal is calculated and cautious.

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, G-J / SI+, picking up

 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, moving

1.00-3.00 cts, white / SI to pique, mediocre demand

1.00-2.50 cts, H-J / SI1+, good makes, mediocre demand

 3.00+ 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

 Pears, Marquises and Hearts, 1.00-2.00 cts, H-J / VS+, slow

 All fancy cuts, 3.00+ cts, across the board, slow


Far East
All eyes are focused on the Far East this week for the start of the Hong Kong show. Although it is too early to know how successful the show will be, the opening day was slow with few buyers who were not really buying but only fishing around for goods.  Overall, sellers are not hopeful that they will be making many sales, but say that they have to try every possible opportunity.

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, picking up

0.005-0.15 cts, H-J / SI1+, good makes, mediocre demand

 1/5, G-J / VS+, slow

1/4-3/4, across the board, mediocre demand

 1-5 cts, white / pique, slow

 1.00-2.00 cts, H-L / SI+, picking up

 3.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, slow

Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Radiants and Emeralds, 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-K / SI+, slow

Marquises, Pears, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/2, H-J / VS+, slow