All key diamond markets are seeing a moderate pickup in demand, with business in Hong Kong picking up especially. Traders are expressing optimism in the week ahead of the Hong Kong trade shows. In Antwerp, rough traders are taking a cautious approach, keeping a watchful eye on polished diamond demand.

 

 

U.S.

The moderate rise in trading activity continues in New York, with polished prices maintaining stability. This week a pick up in demand is seen mainly for 0.50-2.00 cts, white / SI2+. Smaller sizes of 1/5-1/2, D-J / SI to pique are also rebounding from a quiet period.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / SI2+, good demand

 

 1/10-1/2, D-K / SI2+, picking up

 

 1/5-3/8, D-G / VS+, good demand

 

 0.75-1.00, D-J / SI2+, good demand

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, K-M / VS+, good demand

 

 2.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI2+, picking up

 

Fancy Cuts

 Fancy shapes, 1.00-3.00 cts, selling

 

 Cushions, Ovals, Emeralds and Asschers, 3.00-4.00 cts, D-K / SI+, selling

 

 

Antwerp
The Belgian diamond exchange witnessed another good week, right before the important Hong Kong show; participating traders were busy with preparations. Local demand from European countries saw a pick up in the movement. This said, rough diamond traders still remained cautious and did not show much interest in taking large risks by going on a buying spree. They preferred remaining watchful and seeing how the market develops in the coming weeks.

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, moving

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+,  good demand

 1/5, D-J / VS+, picking up

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

 0.25-0.90 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, picking up

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

 1.00-3.00 cts, G-L / SI1+, good makes, good demand, strong pressure on prices

 1.00+ cts, fancy colors, mediocre demand

 4.00+ cts, G-L / VS+, picking up

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

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

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


Ramat Gan
Good movement was seen at the Israeli Diamond Exchange, with a rise in trading levels and the number of overseas buyers. Traders hope and pray this trend continues and that this is not a temporary phase; however, sellers are still finding it difficult to sell the goods with increased prices.

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

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, picking up

 1/5, across the board, slow

 1/4-1/2, white / pique, mediocre demand

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

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

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

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

 4.00+ cts, G-L / VS+, mediocre demand

Fancy Cuts
 Princesses and Pears, 1.00-4.00 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand

 Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1.00-4.00 cts, G-J / SI+, slow

 Marquises, Emeralds, Hearts and Ovals, 1.00-4.00 cts, G-J / SI+, slightly shifting

 4.00+ cts, all fancy shapes, slow


Mumbai
Last week’s pick up in activity has held its course, and the Mumbai diamond trade is seeing some action following several quiet months. For the most part, traders say the market is showing some positive movement now, but a few pessimistic traders think that it is yet again another bubble they expect will burst after the Hong Kong show. High asking prices remain a point of friction with polished buyers finding it difficult to sell at increased prices further downstream.

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, good demand

 1/5, H-J / VS, mediocre demand

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, slow

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

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

 0.80-0.90 cts, F-J / VVS, mediocre demand

 1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI to pique, good demand, mainly by overseas buyers

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-J / SI1+, good makes, good demand, against short supply

 4.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, slow

Fancy Cuts
 Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 0.25-1.00 cts, D-J / VS+, picking up

 Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 1/4-3/4, F-J / VS+, picking up

 Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 1.00-3.00 cts, H-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 Princesses, 2.00-3.00 cts, H-J / VS, good demand

 All fancy cuts, 4.00+ cts, across the board, slow


Far East
The Hong Kong diamond market is showing a considerable pick up; overseas buyers are already starting to show up for the upcoming trade show,  visiting offices, in order to buy goods before local traders display their good at the show. A lot of expectations are put on this show, one of the biggest for loose diamonds. In general, traders predict a good show.

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

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

 1/5, G-J / VS+, good demand

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

 1/4-3/4, H-J / SI+, good demand

 1.00-3.00 cts , H-L / SI+, good demand, pressure on prices

 1.00-5.00 cts, D-J / pique, mediocre demand

 4.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, mediocre demand

Fancy Cuts
 Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-K / SI+, selling

 Princesses, Radiants and Emeralds, 1.00-4.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand

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

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

 All Fancy cuts, 5.00+ cts, mediocre demand