IDEX Online May Polished Market Report

June 04, 12 by Natalie J. Raps, Vicky Sharma and Edahn Golan

Trading in May has been fairly quiet. While slower trading is most noticed in polished, wholesale manufacturers with inventories are reporting more activity. Traders are trying to resist continued pressure on prices, counting on the upcoming June shows in Las Vegas and Hong Kong.

U.S.

The New York City market continues to report increasing prices coupled with extreme scarcities and shortages in top demand goods. SI clarity items continue to be strong sellers and are in short availability, while demands for 1.00-1.50 and 0.30-0.75 carat goods are high.

However, suppliers remain cautious and hesitant to overstock, because of the slowing trade this month.

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, 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

Antwerp

Mediocre trading activity this month I the Antwerp diamond market. Despite the slowdown in activity, traders expect demand and price to increase based on rising rough prices. Traders are therefore unsure if they should buy goods in anticipation of price increases or wait and avoid speculative buying.

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, selling

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 / SI, selling

4.00+ cts, G-J / VVS, slow

Fancy Cuts

Princesses, Cushions, 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

Slow business environment in the Indian diamond market as the school summer vacation started and traders away traveling with their families. Those that remained, were in a very cautious state, concerned by the rate of rupee against the U.S. dollar, leading to buying uncertainty – for polished and rough alike.

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

Ramat Gan

Decent trading against shortages were noted in the Israeli diamond exchange as traders comfort themselves with the less favorable situation in other diamond markets. Traders are involved in some speculative buying, expecting an improved market, perhaps ahead of the JCK Las Vegas show in June.

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-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

Hong Kong

A slight pick up in trading was noted in the Hong Kong diamond market with an increase in the number of visiting buyers. Buyers, however, found the prices to be high preventing some business. Local traders made some purchase for inventory, though cautiously. Pressure on polished prices is increasing and traders are insisting on the higher prices, counting on an increase in demand.

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

Diamond Index

IDEX Online May Polished Market Report

IDEX Online April Polished Market Report

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