diamond market report

[strmrdr]

This supports what DiaGem and Paul saw:
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullMarketReport.asp?SID=

copied here for educational use because it goes away too fast on idex....


Slow activity continues to characterize the U.S. market, although higher quality goods continue to be in demand, and, in Antwerp, the exchange has been relatively quiet, a situation exacerbated by a sharply rising polished prices. A considerable slowdown was noted in the Israeli exchange, while in Mumbai, diamantaires throughout the market are smarting from a steep increase in prices for polished, causing many to take a “wait and see” approach. In Hong Kong, traders are seeing decent movement in the market, mostly for 1.00+ carat goods.

U.S.

The U.S. market continues to report low trading activity with demand trends unchanged. Higher quality goods of SI1 and better are selling in most sizes, with especially strong requests in the larger sizes of 2.00+ carats. Prices for polished of 1.00 carat and above have firmed, especially in the VVS+ / D-F range. Pique goods continue to show weak movement.

Rounds

0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / SI+, moving

1/5-1/3, D-H / VS+, moving

3/8-1/2, D-H / VS+, mediocre demand

3/4, D-H / VS+, strong demand

1.00 cts, D-H / VS+, good demand

2.00-3.00+ cts, across the board, certified, strong demand

Fancy colors, SI2+, good demand

Fancy Cuts

Princesses, 0.50-2.00+ cts, D-I / SI+, strong demand

Square cuts, 0.75+ cts, white / VS2+, moving

Marquises, Ovals and Pears, 3.00+ cts, white / VS+, strong demand

Antwerp

A relatively quiet week was noted at the Belgian diamond exchange. Given the sharp rise in polished prices over the past ten days, many buyers and suppliers are preferring to wait and see where the market is heading, putting the market ‘on hold.’ Manufacturers continue to note extreme difficulty in procuring rough goods for manufacturing.

Rounds

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

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

1/5, across the board, slow

1/4-3/4, across the board, selling

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

1-10 (mainly 2.50+) cts, D-M / SI1+, good makes, heavy demand against short supply

Fancy Cuts

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

Marquises, Pears, Ovals, Emeralds and Hearts, 0.25-5.00 (mainly 3.00+) cts, D-K / SI+, selling

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

Ramat Gan

The Israeli diamond exchange showed a considerable drop in trading levels, with a significant shortage noted for 1.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, in all shapes. Many traders preferred to keep their goods in Hong Kong following the March show, where chances to sell the goods – with the added potential of better selling prices – are higher.

Rounds

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

0.005 to 0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, moving

1/5, across the board, slow

1/4-3/8, white / pique, mediocre demand

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

0.75-1.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, selling

1-10 (mainly 2.00+) cts, D-M / SI1+, good makes, heavy demand against short supply

Fancy Cuts

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

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

All fancy shapes, 2.00+ cts, fancy colors, selling, to regular buyers of these items

Mumbai

The Mumbai diamond market is witnessing a decline in the general mood of the traders. In addition, the steep increase in prices for polished goods, a logical result of high rough prices, has led to a very cautious market. Traders are expressing uncertainty over the future of the industry from, and the market attitude is becoming one of “wait and see,” especially in the larger sizes of 2.00+ cts. That said, the market continues to see a healthy presence of overseas buyers, who are also complaining of high asking prices.

Rounds

0.005-0.15 cts, across the board, good demand

1/5, across the board, slow

1/4-3/8, white / pique, good demand

1/4-3/4, D-J / SI+, good makes, good demand, mainly from the local market

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

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

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

2.00+ cts (excluding 5.00 cts), D-L / SI1+, good makes, no black pique, strong demand

5.00 cts, G-M / VS+, a significant slowdown is noted, following the very steep rise in prices for this range since November 2007, resulting in buyers preferring smaller or larger goods

Fancy Cuts

Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 1/4-3/4, D-J / VS+, selling well

Marquises, Pears, and Hearts, 1/4-3/4, H-J / VS+, good demand

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

Asschers, 3.00+ cts, I-K / VVS-VS, selling

Far East

Decent movement continues in the Hong Kong diamond market, mostly in the 1.00+ carat goods. Traders in smaller sizes below 1.00 carat are expressing concern with a slower-than-expected market for this time of year. The sales slowdown could be a result of slow gold and diamond jewelry sales, due to steeply rising prices of gold. Rising pressure on prices of polished is noted, especially in the larger sizes of 3.00+ cts, G-M , all shapes, and the situation is expected to worsen further given the rise in polished prices over the past ten days.

Rounds

0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, slow

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

1/5, across the board, slow

1/4-3/4, white / pique, slow

1/4-3/4, D-J / VS+, good demand

1-5 cts, white / pique, moving

1-10 (mainly 3.00+) cts, D to cape / SI+, good makes, strong demand

Fancy Cuts

Princesses, Radiants and Emeralds, 1-5 cts, D-M / SI+, good demand

Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-J / VS+, strong demand

Marquises, Pears, Ovals and Hearts, 3.00-5.00 cts, D-K / SI+, demand up

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