Israel’s June Polished Diamond Exports Rise 8.6%

Net polished diamond exports from Israel rose 8.6 percent in June to $342 million compared to $314 million in June 2006. In the first half of the year, Israel exported $3.591 billion in polished diamond, rising 6.1 percent from $3.384 billion in the first half of 2006.

Fifty-two percent of Israel’s polished diamond exports were shipped to the U.S., 19 percent to Hong Kong, 8 percent to Belgium and 7 percent to Switzerland.

Polished diamond imports in June totaled $351 million, a year-over-year increase of 8.9 percent.