IDEX Online April Polished Market Report
April 30, 12
April was a slower month for the global diamond trade. Many were away for the Easter and Passover holidays and firm prices, viewed by buyers as high prices, led to the slowdown in trading. Despite that, traders are optimistic about the near future and intend to maintain the current prices.
Trade in April has been slowed as a result of the holidays. Shortages continue to be reported and many have cut back on inventory purchases because prices of rough are continuing to firm. Most believe that polished prices will follow.
Meanwhile, prices are already creeping up. SI goods are strong sellers, as are 0.30-0.75 carats in SI+. While rounds 0.90-2.00 carats in G-H colors are selling very well, 3-5 caraters are slowing.
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, selling
1/5-3/4, D-J / pique, mediocre demand
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
The Antwerp diamond market was slow in April. Traders were off on holiday, though many wondered if the slowdown in trading was stronger than it should have been.
Despite this, a few overseas buyers and new demands were seen in the market and a certain speculative trend was witnessed. As a result, traders are expecting trading levels to rise.
Rounds
0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, selling
0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, selling
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, mediocre demand
4.00+ cts, G-J / VS+, slow
4.00+ cts, G-J / SI1+, selling
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
High prices and mediocre trade level characterized the Indian diamond market in April. The sluggish trading activity is mostly a reflection of the global slowdown; however local issues had their contribution.
The Jewelry industry went on a strike in April, protesting new and growing taxes on jewelry and diamonds. This joined a 2 percent import duty levied on polished diamonds, which traders are still struggling to digest.
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
While most traders were away for more than a week for the Passover holiday, traders are reporting good business. Traders maintained their firm stand on prices and find that they can still do business, if not selling to eastern customers, than to western buyers.
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 / SI+, mediocre demand, price still an issue
4.00 cts, G-L / VVS, slow
Fancy Cuts
Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-10.00 cts, G-L / SI+, selling
Ovals, Asschers and Hearts, 1.00-4.00 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 Hong Kong diamond market is suffering from a continued slowdown in business since the end of the trade fair in February. Currently business is mediocre with buyers and sellers struggling over prices. Sellers say it is difficult to sell with the new higher prices, but ultimately the buyers have no choice in the end, but to pay.
Some buyers and traders are reportedly stocking up on goods and where the price is right goods change hands quickly.
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+, mediocre demand