IDEX Online Rough Diamond Market Report: Little to No Demand
(October 2, '08, 9:30 Edahn Golan)

Sightholders voiced deep concern over the high prices of rough diamonds as they returned from Sight 8. One Sightholder told IDEX Online that goods were left on the table. Demand for many boxes in the secondary market was generally very low.

 

According to one uncorroborated report, as much as 6 to 7 percent of the goods were left on the table during the Sight.

 

A DTC Sightholder said market premiums were low to non-existent. Some traders sold the goods at list price, incurring a loss after the 1 percent brokers’ fee and the VAS charge, which includes an additional 1.4 to 1.8 percent tacked to the price of the goods.

 

Demand in the secondary market for key Diamond Trading Company (DTC) boxes in the week following Sight 8 (September 22-26) decreased, with many boxes not seeing any demand.

 

Article 

Demand

Remarks on Demand

Fine 2.5-4 ct & Fine 5-14.8 ct

Little

Like previous Sight

Crystals 2.5-4 ct & Crystals 5-14.8 ct

No

Less than previous Sight

Commercial 2.5-4 ct & Commercial 5-14.8 ct

No

Less than previous Sight

Spotted Sawables 4-8 gr

Little

Much Less than previous Sight

Chips 4-8 gr

No

Less than previous Sight

Colored Sawables 4-8 gr & Colored 2.5-14.8 ct

No

Less than previous Sight

Makeables High 3grs +7

Little

Less than previous Sight

Preparers Low 3-6 gr

Little

Less than previous Sight

1st Color Rejections (H-L)

Little

Less than previous Sight

 

 

About the Articles:

  • Fine 2.5-4 ct and Fine 5-14.8 ct - Second color, good quality, rounds, polished +1 carat
  • Crystals 2.5-4 ct and Crystals 5-14.8 ct  good color and qualities, producing princess, emeralds, etc. polished +1 carat
  • Commercial 2.5-4 ct and Commercial 5-14.8 ct  good color, SI+ quality, rounds, polished +1 carat
  • Spotted Sawables 4-8 gr  rough for sawing, good color, SI+ quality, mostly rounds, polished 0.3 - 1carat
  • Chips 4-8 gr  Makeable rough, good color, SI+ quality, rounds, polished 0.3 - 1.2 carat
  • Colored Sawables 4-8 gr and Colored 2.5-14.8 ct  K color and lower, SI+ quality, rounds, polished +0.3 carat
  • Makeables High 3grs +7  Makeable rough, good color, SI+ quality, mostly rounds, polished pointers
  • Preparers low 3-6 gr  Rough for preparing yielding good color, +I clarity, pointers polished
  • 1st Color Rejections (H-L)  Rough for multiple preparing, yielding good color polished