After a long period of stunted trading in the polished wholesale sector and low prices, a turnaround was witnessed in March. The much-anticipated Hong Kong International Jewellery Show exceeded expectations, jumpstarting business in the global diamond trading centers. As a result, prices started to rise and manufacturers are increasing their polished diamonds output.

 

 

 

U.S.

With the global trading markets focused on the Hong Kong jewelry show, activity in the New York City Market has been subdued. American dealers returning from the show reported that it exceeded their expectations and quite satisfied with the results.

 

A very significant increase in demand for 30 pointers up to 1 carat is noted in the market across the board. The strong demands for rounds 2.00+ cts in SI and better qualities and 0.90-1.50 cts in G-H colors VS continues.

 

The Fancy market remains attractive across the board, with a heightened emphasis on princess cuts in contrast to a weaker demand for cushion and oval shapes.

 

Rounds

 0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / I, slow

  

 0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / SI+, slow

 

 0.10-0.75 cts, G-H / SI, selling

 

   1/5-3/4, D-J / pique, mediocre demand

 

 1/5-3/4, D-J / VS+, slow

 

 0.30-0.70 cts, D-J / SI+, selling

 

 0.90-1.50 cts, G-H / SI, selling

 

 1.00-2.00 cts, D-M / pique, selling

 

 1.00-2.00 cts, F-J / SI+, slow

 

 1.50-3.00 cts, D-M / VS-SI, selling

 

 2.00-4.00 cts D-K / SI+, slow

 

 4.00+ cts D-J/ pique, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 All fancy cuts, 0.10-0.99 cts, D-K / SI+, selling

 

 Princess, 0.10-0.40 cts, selling

 

 Princess 0.20-1.00+ cts H+ / VS+, selling

 

 Princess 0.75-1.00 cts G-H / SI, selling

 

 Princess 2.00+ cts, G-H / SI+, selling

 

 

Antwerp

After a long quiet period, the Antwerp diamond market picked up after the successful show in Hong Kong, which resulted in a large number of orders. The uplift is also demonstrated by the increase in the number of overseas buyers for rough and polished diamonds.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, selling

 

   1/5, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

   0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, mediocre demand

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, F-K / SI+, good makes, selling

 

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

 

   1.00-3.00 cts, F-J / SI1+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

   1.00+ cts, Fancy colors, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-5.00 cts, D/ IF, slow

  

 4.00+ cts, G-J / VS-SI, slow, demands limited to reasonably priced goods

 

 4.00+ cts, G-J / VVS, slow unless prices are very attractive

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Ovals, Hearts, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, selling

 

   Marquises, Radiants, and Cushions, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

   Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/6, D-I / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 

Mumbai

The Indian diamond market is showing considerable pick up in demand levels. Manufacturers have slowed down their output and a shortage of goods led to an increase in prices ahead of an expected rise in demand.

 

Traders returning from Honk Kong reported good business, though buyers said they had to pay "full price" to get the goods they were interested in.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, selling

 

   1/5, H-J / VS, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, selling

 

   1/4-3/4, D-J / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

 1/2-3/4, white / pique, including goods for treatment, selling

 

 0.80-1.99 cts, F-M / VVS to SI, selling

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI to pique, selling

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI1+, good makes, selling

 

 4.00+ cts, H-M / VS-SI, selling

 

 4.00+ cts, H-M / VVS, selling

 

Fancy Cuts

 Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 0.25-1.00 cts, D-J / VS+, selling

 

 Marquises, Ovals and Asschers, 0.25-3.00 cts, F-J / VS+, selling

 

 Princesses, Pears, Hearts and Emeralds, 1.00-10.00 cts, I-L / VS, selling

 

 

Ramat Gan

The Israeli diamond market also enjoyed from good business at the Hong Kong show, rekindling local and international trade. Price increases are reported in the market and manufacturers feel greater confidence in polishing although they still state that the difference in the prices of polished and rough diamonds is still too close.

 

Rounds

   0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, mediocre demand

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, slow 

 

   1/5, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, selling

 

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

 

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

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, selling

 

 1.00-5.00+ cts, D / IF, slow

 

  4.00 cts, G-L / VS-SI, selling

 

 4.00 cts, H-M / VVS, slow 

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Pears, Emeralds and Hearts 1.00-3.00 cts, G-L / SI+, selling

 

 Princesses and Ovals, 0.50-3.00 cts, F-K / SI, selling

 

    Marquises, Cushions and Asschers 1.00-10.00 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 All fancy cuts, 1.00-5.00 cts, fancy colors, slow

 

 

Hong Kong

Once again all eyes in the trading centers were on the March Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, historically an important and strong trade fair. This year, in light of the general weakness felt in the market, a successful show was especially important for traders. The show did not let them down, boosting trade levels and prices of loose diamonds in the wholesale market.

 

Strong demand at the show was reported for VS-SI goods up to 10 carats, especially for items up to 1.50 carats. Traders reported a shortage in Triple Excellent items that led buyers to compromise and settle for Very Good makes.

 

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, selling

 

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

 

   1/5, G-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, selling

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, H-J / SI+, selling

 

 1.00-10.00 cts, D-J / pique, slow

  

 1.00-5.00 cts, D / IF, slow

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-M / VVS-SI, selling

 

 4.00 cts, H-L / SI+, selling

 

 5.00-10.00+ cts, H-L / VS-SI, selling

 

 5.00-10.00+ cts, H-M / VVS, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

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

 

 Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-4.00 cts, H-K / SI+, selling

 

   Marquises, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-5.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

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