Domestic Demand Keeps Polished Market Ticking
January 02, 13
Domestic demand for diamonds – focused on VS-SI goods – was stronger than the export market in December. This was mainly due to bridal demand for the ongoing wedding season that kicked in immediately after Diwali. However the lift that the Mumbai market experienced in the two weeks before Diwali fizzled out and movement remained at what was termed routine levels.
Despite this, overall business sentiment remained high and the mood optimistic. Fears that the market might experience a softening of prices just after Diwali were proved unfounded and confidence grew stronger with each day. Due to the persisting shortages in polished goods, asking prices began rising toward the end of the month – but this too was well within a narrow 2-3 percent range. Overall prices therefore remained relatively stable.
The rupee-dollar exchange rate remained within a manageable range, giving traders ease of mind on that front. There was a noticeable demand from
Mumbai Diamond Trading In December 2012
| Size in Carat (Sieve) | Comments | Forward Call |
| -0.01 (-2 ) | Good demand for SI2-I1 whites. Fair demand for VVS/VS whites & VS-SI/I-L color. | Overall demand & prices expected to remain stable. Demand for I & lower colors are expected to pick up. |
| -0.02 (+2-6.5) | Good demand for SI2-I2 whites. Fair demand for VVS/VS whites & VS-SI/I-L color. | Overall demand & prices expected to remain stable. Demand for I & lower colors are expected to pick up. |
| 0.03-0.07 (+6.5-11) | Fair demand for SI2-I1 whites & VS-SI/I-L color. | Overall demand expected to be specific & in few categories only. Prices expected to remain soft. |
| 0.08-0.14 (+11-14) | Good demand for SI2-I2 goods. Fair demand for VVS- VS whites & VS-SI/I-L color | Overall demand & prices expected to remain stable. Shortages expected in SI & piqué goods. |
| 0.15-0.17 (+14-15.5) | Good demand for SI2-I2 goods. Fair demand for VVS- VS whites & VS-SI/I-L color. | Overall demand & prices expected to remain stable. Shortages expected in SI & piqué goods. |
| 0.18-0.22 (1/5) | Fair demand for SI & piqué goods. | Overall demand & prices expected to remain soft. |
| 0.23-0.29 (1/4) | Good demand for SI goods. Fair demand for piqué goods. | Overall demand & prices expected to remain stable. |
| 0.30 (1/3) | Good demand for VS-SI goods. Fair demand for VVS & piqué goods. | Overall steady demand & prices expected. Prices for SI expected to be firm. |
| 0.40 (3/8) | Good demand for VS-SI goods. Fair demand for VVS & piqué goods. | Demand & prices expected to remain stable. Prices for SI expected to be firm. |
| 0.50 (1/2) | Good demand for SI & piqué goods. Fair demand for VVS/VS goods. | Demand & prices expected to remain stable. Prices for SI expected to be firm. |
| 0.75 (3/4) | Good demand for SI & piqué goods Fair demand for VVS/VS goods. | Demand & prices expected to remain stable. Prices for SI goods expected to be firm. |
| 1.00 (4/4) | Good demand for SI-I2/K+ goods. Fair demand for VVS-VS/ L+ color. | Demand for SI-I1 goods expected to remain strong. Better demand expected for I-L colors. |
| +3.00 | Fair demand for SI-I1/G-K color. | Overall demand & prices expected to remain soft. |