IDEX Online February Polished Market Report
February 27, 12
The well awaited, some will say belated, improvement in trading has finally started. Traders in In U.S.
With much attention focused on the Hong Kong Show, the NY market continued to report a positive close out for 2011. It seems that those with inventories are actively making sales; on the other hand, wholesalers and suppliers who were cautiously holding out are currently reporting shortages in top demand items.
The market is firmer this month as prices have been, and continue to steadily creep up. Following the same trend, prices on certificate goods are also on the rise.
Shortages are felt for 0.90-1.50 carats, G-H/SI1 rounds which are in prime demand, with VS2 rounds in the same size category at a close second. Movement for specific top sellers such as 30 to 70 pointers are very much in demand, and are therefore harder to find.
People looking for goods are trying to buy at reduced rates; however, it seems that they cannot find nice quality goods without paying premiums. Although rough prices have come down, their only available margin of movement, like polished pricing, is upwards.
Rounds
0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / I, slow
0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / SI+, selling
0.10-0.75 cts, D-J / SI, mediocre demand
1/5-3/4, D-J / pique, selling
1/5-3/4, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand
0.30-0.70 cts, D-J / SI, top sellers, shortages reported
0.90-1.50 cts, G-H / VS2-SI2, selling
1.00-2.00 cts, D-M / pique, slow
1.00-2.00 cts, F-J / SI+, selling
1.50-3.00 cts, D-M / VS-SI, selling
2.00-4.00 cts D-K / SI+, selling
4.00+ cts D-J/ pique, selling
Fancy Cuts
All fancy cuts, 0.10-0.99 cts, SI+, mediocre demand
Pears, 0.10-0.40 cts, D-J / I+, selling
Pears and Ovals, 0.20-1.00 cts, H+ / VS+, slow
Many traders are working at full force in the
Traders are cautious, keeping a worried eye on the problematic European economy as well as on an imbalance in the prices and supply of rough and polished diamonds. More buyers of rough and polished goods are coming to the market, although they complained about difficult prices, they managed to buy goods from financially stressed traders.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, slow
0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, mediocre demand
1/5, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand
0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, mediocre demand
0.25-0.90 cts, F-K / SI+, good makes, selling
1.00-3.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, mediocre demand
1.00-3.00 cts, F-J / SI1+, good makes, selling
1.00+ cts, Fancy colors, mediocre demand
1.00-5.00 cts, D/ IF, slow
4.00+ cts, G-J / VS+, selling
4.00+ cts, G-J / SI1+, slow
Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00+ cts, G-K / SI+, selling
Marquises, Radiants, Ovals, and Hearts, 1.00+ cts, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand
Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/6, D-I / SI+, mediocre demand
Mumbai
After a slow start of the month, in mid-February the Indian diamond market started to pickup. The rupee to U.S. dollar exchange rate improved, injecting energy into the local trade, and shortages started to be reported across the board, giving a boost to prices.
Traders are slowly starting to buy polished for their stocks, a good sign of confidence in market demand and prices. Meanwhile, overseas buyers have complained of limited inventory levels, resulting in higher prices.
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
0.80-1.99 cts, F-M / VVS to SI, mediocre demand
1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI to pique, mediocre demand
2.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI1+, good makes, slow
4.00+ cts, H-M / VS-SI, mediocre demand
4.00+ cts, H-M / VVS, slow
Fancy Cuts
Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 0.25-1.00 cts, D-J / VS+, slow
Marquises and Hearts, 0.25-3.00 cts, F-J / VS+, slow
Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 2.00-10.00 cts, I-L / VS, mediocre demand
The Israeli Diamond Exchange was busier than other centers, although it had it vicissitudes this month. Traders were worried over a series of tax authority raids, arrests and book inspections and a few companies decided to slow down their activity following the events.
Purchases for stock continued by visiting and local traders, though with caution, preferring not to over trade.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, mediocre demand
0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, slow
1/5, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand
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, mediocre demand
1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, a pickup in demand
1.00-5.00+ cts, D / IF, mediocre demand
4.00 cts, G-L / VS+, slow
Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-10.00 cts, G-L / SI+, selling
Ovals, Asschers and Hearts, 1.00-5.00 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand
Marquises, Radiants and Cushions, 1.00-10.00 cts, G-J / SI+, slow
All fancy cuts, 1.00-5.00 cts, fancy colors, slow
The
In the past few years, the show became a bellwether indicator for demand in the first half of the year. The very positive results of the show are encouraging traders to invest in stock. The outcome is improving traders' mood and therefore prices as well.
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+, mediocre demand
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, mediocre demand
1.00-5.00 cts, D / IF, slow
4.00 cts, H-L / SI+, slow
5.00-10.00+ cts, H-L / VS-SI, mediocre demand
5.00-10.00+ cts, H-L / VVS, slow
Fancy Cuts
Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand
Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-10.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand
Marquises, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-5.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand
Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/2, H-J / VS+, slow