Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditions?

[John P]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

In order to get 2 carat round diamond, is it cheaper in hk or US?

With RMB and HKD accounted-for, China is more expensive by 20-30% than HK, which is more expensive than the USA. The best eastern market in which to buy may be the annual HK Jewelry Show... but you need to be a trade member to attend

Is Chow Sang Sang and Chow Tai Fok price considered to be more expensive than US online retail?

Yes to both. CSS is considered higher-end, and therefore more expensive. The signature CSS diamond is the new "Infini Love" (ad below), a H&A brand that replaced the old "Love" diamond. They also carry non H&A Triple-Ex diamonds. Both lines are graded by IGI HK. Meanwhile, CTF carries H&A graded by the NGTC and GIA-graded G, VG and EX.

 

[John P]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Ok, I'll play.

How do the diamond trends in China compare to that of Singapore? I know that in Singapore, many consumers tend to buy 1ct and under stones.

Signapore is a more developed market so the biggest difference may be in fashion; as it relates to settings. Diamond taste is reported as similar. I am uncertain about price relationships.

Consumers in Singapore also place a lot of emphasis on cut quality; a popular vendor over there called Jann Paul sells a lot of super ideal cut H&A diamonds (rounds, Brellia's, radiants).

I'm tracking with you. I do know that consumers buying >0.50ct in China have become increasingly cut-focused, even since the mid-2000s. It's a reflection of the presence of cut-education at the onset of the Chinese market's growth (thanks to its youth), the proximity of like-minded markets such as Japan and Singapore, and the sincere interest of Chinese professionals. That focus has been personally evident to me by the prominence and volume of repeat audience-members over five presentations I've made since 2009; all having some cut-quality content. It has certainly manifested itself in higher end outfits with the presence of H&A reports featuring actual H&A photos and more elaborate cut grading.

Would you say the market trends in China are comparable to that of Singapore?

This is hard to answer, as Singapore is a far more established market.

 

[John P]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

JP...how good is your mandarin?...

Haha. I can say “Hello” and “Thank you.” Other than that I have a translator with me to do the heavy lifting – and in most places I go they speak English far better than my meager attempts at Mandarin!

 

[John P]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

I am definitely curious about how HK compares to the rest of China. I hear that sometimes, they are different even though it is now considered a single country. Comparison to Singapore would be great too.

There is one major difference: If a Chinese wants to go to HK they have to apply for an entry permit. But the HKese can come to China as much as they want. In name HK belongs to China, but the way the HKese do business, live and look at work is quite different.

Ultimately a lot of diamond knowledge came into China from Taiwan at the start. Now it comes from HK, or from within China itself. If you are a professional seeking continuing education there are three major schools of gemology in China: The NGTC (China-based) IGI (HK-based) and GIA (HK-based). The IGI has standalone schools in HK and in Shanghai. Their courses in China are #1 in the field right now. The GIA is also based in HK but they entered into a partnership with NGTC education some time ago. Per that agreement the NGTC controls their enrollment. This is reportedly somewhat awkward for GIA because the NGTC takes the lion's share of students so very few GIA courses are taught on the mainland right now.

 

[John P]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Some photos from the show.

 

[astar11]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Thanks john for your answer.

I read wsj today and they wrote that chinese still prefer d, if inclusion.

Infini line that css carry, is it same as high performance diamond's infinity line?

 

[John P]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Thanks john for your answer.

You're welcome.

I read wsj today and they wrote that chinese still prefer d, if inclusion.

Among their influential millionaire population this is true; there is a segment of people into conspicuous wealth. But the growing middle-class, which is driving the real demand, selects budget-fitting options much like USA consumers do. (Can you link that article, by the way? I'd love to read it).

Infini line that css carry, is it same as high performance diamond's infinity line?

No. It's similar in name-only.

 

[TC1987]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Is most of the interest in diamond engagement rings for women? Or are large numbers of men and single career women also starting to buy diamonds for themselves?

 

[astar11]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Thanks john for your answer.

You're welcome.

I read wsj today and they wrote that chinese still prefer d, if inclusion.

Among their influential millionaire population this is true; there is a segment of people into conspicuous wealth. But the growing middle-class, which is driving the real demand, selects budget-fitting options much like USA consumers do. (Can you link that article, by the way? I'd love to read it).

Infini line that css carry, is it same as high performance diamond's infinity line?

No. It's similar in name-only.

I read it in physical paper, so dont have link for it. Sorry.

I was at hk yesterday and you were right, diamond price in hk is much more expensive than us. The infini line cost a lot more !

 

[John P]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Is most of the interest in diamond engagement rings for women? Or are large numbers of men and single career women also starting to buy diamonds for themselves?

My sources say popular interest is still driven by the western-influenced engagement tradition. But you raise an interesting point, as diamonds are increasingly discussed in terms of investment (I believe the more appropriate term is "store of value" but the word investment is the one I hear); especially among the affluent when it comes to larger sizes and collection categories.

 

[fullsun]

Re: Any Qs/Interest in 2013 Chinese Diamond Market & Traditi

Hi John, is it too late to ask you to shed some light on the craftsmanship of settings in the Chinese market in comparison to their western counterparts? Does the Chinese market offer a large variety of setting styles, ranging from modern bezels to antique inspired, or do they mostly feature solitaire or simpler sidestone/pave settings? TIA!