June U.S. Polished Diamond Imports Rise 17.8%

For the second consecutive month, polished diamond imports to the U.S. registered a double-digit increase. In June, $1,300.8 million worth of polished diamonds were imported, up 17.79 percent compared to June 2005. Total imports by weight reached 1,166,151 carats, an 8.8 percent increase.

The average price per carat (p/c) of imports to the U.S. in June increased 8.27 percent to $1,115, compared to $1,030 in June 2005.

During the first six months of the year, $7,554 million worth of polished diamonds were imported; a moderate 3.15 percent increase over the comparable period in 2005. By volume, however, imports decreased 8.3 percent to 7,256,734 carats, leading to a 12.49 percent increase in the average price to $1,041 p/c.

Imports from Israel, the main U.S. supplier by value, totaled $728 million on imports of 289,312 carats for an average price of $2,516 p/c. India, the leading supplier by volume supplied 630,689 carats worth $214.86 million, an average value of $341 p/c.

Belgium was the source of $225 million worth of polished diamond in June, weighting 133,789 carats, at an average value of $1,681 p/c.