The IDEX Online Polished Price Report for June 21, 2012

(IDEX Online News) – Although mostly a quiet trading week, some pickup in activity was noticed, mostly ahead of the Hong Kong show. Fancy cuts are in good demand, but at some places, most notably for 0.45-0.49 carats, prices last week were hiked too much. Realizing they overshot it, traders had to bring prices down and this week the cooling effect is obvious.

The following report is based on the IDEX Online Polished Diamond Price Report, which reflects changes in traders' asking prices.

Following are some of the price changes:

Rounds

• Prices of 0.18-0.22 cts I / VS2 gains another 4.0%, rising to $1,300
• A quiet week for 0.30-0.39 ct goods. F / VS1 losing 2.4% to $2,050 p/c, J / SI2 lost 3.9% to $1,250 p/c
• 0.70-0.79 ct J / VS1 lost 1.5% and is now listed at $3,200 p/c
• 0.80-0.89 J / SI1 declined 3.3% to $4,400 p/c and I / VVS2 lost 2.9%, resting at $5,050 p/c. Some items in this size are very much in favor, such as L / I1 goods, up 3.3% to $1,550 p/c
• Another week of declines for 0.90-0.99 cts JK / I1 items,  losing 4.4% (J) and 5.0% (K). G / VVS2 are down 2.4% to $8,000
• 1.00-1.24 cts D / I3 dropped 5% to $1,900 p/c and E / SI1 declined 2.9%
• 1.25-1.49 ct J / I1 goods are down 2.4% to $4,000
• 1.50-1.99 cts G / I2 are down 3.5% to $2,800 but J / I2 are up 5.0% to $2,100
• 2.00-2.99 cts H / I2 and I / IF are down but J / I1 is up 2.2% to $4,700
• 3 cts DE / SI1 goods down about 3%, as are G / IF and L / VS1 items
• First pique H and K  4 cts keep losing ground, losing 1.4% (H), 3.7% (K)
• 5 cts H / SI2 and I / I3 are in demand, gaining 2.8% and 5%. I / VS1 goods are in lesser demand, down 2.6% to $30,300 p/c.

Fancy Cuts

• The price of 0.18-0.22 cts D / VVS1 declined by another 3.5% this week to $1,400 p/c
• 0.23-0.29, G / VS1 lost 3.7% settling at $1,350 p/c
• 0.40-0.44 cts D / SI1 up again 2.9% to $1,800 p/c
• 0.40-0.44 cts L / VVS2-VS1 declined by about 5%
• 0.45-0.49 cts mid-color and better clarities are losing ground, down 3.5%-3.5%
• 0.50-0.69 cts G / VVS2 +2.1% to $2,450 p/c
• Continued strong demand for top quality 0.70-0.79 cts. DEF / VVS1-VS1 is not letting up, leading to price increases of 1.0%-3.4%.
• 0.80-0.89 cts EF / VVS1 are also in increasing demand, up 2.6% and 2.9%.
• Various price increases for better clarity 0.90-0.99 cts goods in all top colors.
• One carat I1 goods in D and J color are gaining 3% and 4.6%, respectively.
• 3 cts E / IF and F / SI3 fell back by 3%, while K / VS2 is firming, up 1.4% to $7,300 p/c.
• Lower clarity 4 cts E / I1, F / SI3, G / SI3-I2 and H / I1 lost 2.8%-3.9%, an opportunity for buyers.
• 5 cts LM / SI1 gained 2-3%

To receive a full free copy of the IDEX Online Diamond Price Report, please email us at prices@idexonline.com.