The U.S. market continues to be bogged down by fear of financial wobbles, and retail activity has been on the decline. Traders are hopeful the upcoming holiday season will generate more business. Trade in Belgium is largely on hold as traders are trying to get their bearings for the market’s future direction. Israeli traders celebrated the last of a slew of Jewish holidays and are hopeful trading activity will pick up again next week. In Mumbai, traders were particularly distressed as the Diwali celebration, typically the busiest time of the year, failed to boost sales. The Hong Kong exchange continued to move slowly for lack of demand, but traders remained optimistic and believe trading will pick up in coming weeks.

 

 

U.S.

The New York market remained extremely quiet, weighed down by angst over the economic crisis which has led to a slowdown in trading activity. There continues to be healthy demand for larger stones in top qualities, but diamonds of lower clarities have fallen out of favor as many smaller retailers are hesitant to purchase and maintain an inventory of these stones for fear that they will not sell under current market conditions.

 

The market perspective on diamonds has shifted to view them as more of a means of investment in uncertain times than as a luxury commodity. Overall, consumer retail activity has been on the decline in line with falling stocks and minimal trading activity. Traders are hopeful the upcoming holiday season will generate more business.

 

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, high pricing

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 cts, D-K / SI+, strong demand

 

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

 

 

Antwerp

The Belgian exchange continues to tread slowly as traders tried to get their bearings on the market’s direction. The mood in the market was especially gloomy following the resumption of raids of diamond companies by the Belgian authorities on suspicion of tax evasion.  As the market is on hold, traders have now set their sights on the selling season ahead of Christmas.

 

Rounds

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

 

 0.005 to 0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, good demand

 

 1/5, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/4, white / pique, slow

 

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

 

 1-5 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, mediocre demand

 

 1-3 cts, G-L / SI1+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

 4.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, very slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 (mainly 3.00+) cts, D-K / SI+, slow

 

 Marquises, Pears, Ovals, Emeralds and Hearts, 0.25-5.00 (mainly 3.00+) cts, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

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

 

 

Ramat Gan

The Israeli diamond market remained quiet as celebrations for the Jewish festival of Sukkoth lasted until the middle of the week. Given that trading levels were slow anyways, some traders took off Wednesday and Thursday as well. Following nearly a month of holidays, traders are ready to jump back in what they hope to be a more active market next week.

 

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, mediocre demand

 

 1.00+ cts, D-M / SI1+, good makes, slow

 

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 cts, D-J / VS+, slow

 

 Pears, 2-3 cts, D-J / VS+, slow

 

 Marquises, Emeralds, Hearts and Ovals, 1-5 cts, D-J / SI+, slow

 

 

Mumbai

Indian traders were exceptionally disappointed as the period ahead of the Diwali New Year celebrations, typically the busiest time of the year, failed to pick up sluggish trading levels. Traders said it was one of the worst New Year periods in a very long time as both overseas and local demand was slow.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, across the board, good demand

 

 1/5, across the board, slow

 

 1/4-3/4, white / pique, mediocre demand

 

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

 

 0.80-0.90 cts, D-I / VVS, moving

 

 1-5 cts, white / SI to pique, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-1.25 cts, G-H / IF-VVS2, good makes, selling

 

 1.00+ cts, D-L / VS+, good makes, 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+, slowing

 

 Emeralds, Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 3.00+ cts, H-J / VS+, slow

 

 

Far East

Trade on the Hong Kong exchange continued to be slow for the time of year with demand levels well below average. Some traders nonetheless remain optimistic and believe the market will turn around in weeks to come.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, mediocre demand

 

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

 

 1/5, G-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

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

 

 1-5 cts, white / pique, slow

 

 1-3 cts, H-L / SI+, selling, though demand levels are below normal

 

 4.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, very slow

 

Fancy Cuts

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

 

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

 

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

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