Market Report for the week ending May 26, 2011

May 26, 11 by Natalie J. Raps, Vicky Sharma and Edahn Golan

Rising demand, prices and activity in the global markets this week. Buyers are accepting the higher prices, yet buying selectively or out of fear that prices will continue to rise. All eyes are on the Las Vegas shows next week; we will be there too and look forward to meeting there.

U.S.

Active trading in the New York City market, as the industry is preparing for the Las Vegas shows next week. SI+ quality pointers are in high demand and prices remain firm. This is leading retailers to buy selectively, where they know they have business.

Rounds

0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, selling

0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, selling

0.10-0.75 cts, D-J / SI+, selling against shortages

1/5-3/4, D-J / pique, strong demand against shortages

1/5-3/4, D-J / VS+, selling

0.90-1.50 cts, D-J / SI+, selling

1.00-2.00 cts, D-M / pique, selling

1.00-3.00 cts, D-M / VS+, selling

2.00-4.00 cts D-K / SI+, mediocre demand

4.00+ cts D-J/ pique, selling

Fancy Cuts

All fancy cuts, 0.10-0.99 cts, SI+, selling

Marquises, Pears and Ovals, 0.10-0.40 cts, D-J / I+, selling

Marquises, Pears and Ovals, 0.20-1.00 cts, H+ / VS+, selling

Ovals, 0.20-1.00 cts, H+ / VS+, selling

Antwerp

Orders and visiting buyers are on the rise at the Antwerp diamond center. That said, traders want to see higher demands, saying that they are needed to workout high rough diamond prices.

Rounds

0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, selling

0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, selling

1/5, D-J / VS+, selling

0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, selling

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

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

1.00-3.00 cts, F-J / SI1+, good makes, selling, high pressure on prices

1.00-5.00 cts, D / IF, selling

1.00+ cts, Fancy colors, mediocre demand

4.00+ cts, G-J / VS+, slow

5.00+ cts, G-J / SI1+, selling

Fancy Cuts

Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-5.00 cts, D-K / SI+, selling

Marquises, Radiants, Ovals, and Hearts, 1.00-4.00 cts, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand

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

Mumbai

No pick up in the trading levels in Mumbai this week. Many traders are away on their summer vacations, and those that are working are doing so at a slower than usual pace. At the same time, early signs of the feverish pre-show activity are felt in the market and a turn around in activity may take place in the next couple of days.

Rounds

0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, selling

1/5, H-J / VS, mediocre demand

1/4-3/8, white / pique, selling

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

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

0.80-0.90 cts, F-J / VVS, selling

1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI to pique, selling

1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI1+, good makes, selling

4.00+ cts, H-M / VS+, slow, unless the price is very attractive

5.00+ cts, H-M / VS+, selling

Fancy Cuts

Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 0.25-1.00 cts, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand

Marquises and Hearts, 0.25-3.00 cts, F-J / VS+, mediocre demand

Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 2.00-10.00 cts, I-L / VS, selling

Ramat Gan

Prices remain high in the Israeli Diamond Exchange this week, as traders are busy collecting goods before the JCK show. Buyers – local traders as well as visiting clients - are willing to pay these prices, partially because of a wide spread belief that prices will continue to rise in the coming days against growing scarcity of goods.

Rounds

0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, selling

0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, selling

1/5, G-K / SI+, selling

0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, selling

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

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

1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, selling, strong pressure on the prices

4.00 cts, across the board, improving demand, but still slow

5.00+ cts, G-L / VS+, selling

Fancy Cuts

Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-10.00 cts, G-L / SI+, selling

Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1.00-5.00 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand

Marquises, Hearts and Ovals, 1.00-10.00 cts, G-J / SI+, slow

All fancy cuts, 1.00-5.00 cts, fancy colors, mediocre demand

Far East

Last week's good trading levels continued this week, backed by steady and growing demand. Buyers in the Hong Kong market willing to pay the higher prices, yet some are still talking of narrow margins.

Rounds

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

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

1/5, G-J / VS+, selling

0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, selling

0.25-0.90 cts, H-J / SI+, selling

1.00-10.00 cts, D-J / pique, mediocre demand

1.00-3.00 cts, H-M / VVS-SI, selling

4.00 cts, H-L / SI+, slow

5.00-10.00+ cts, H-L / VS+, slow

Fancy Cuts

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

Princesses, Pears, Emeralds, Marquises, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-10.00 cts, H-K / SI+, selling

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

Diamond Index

Market Report for the week ending May 26, 2011

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