(IDEX Online News) – There was an increase in the IDEX polished diamond price index during January following a slight rise in December.

                                                                                 

The Index began the month at 120.88 and ended at 122.16.

 

 

Diamond Prices Show Multi-Month Decline

Polished diamond prices have drifted for the past 18 months, although there has been a very slight increase in recent months.

 

 

The graph of polished diamond prices since January 2014 shows an 8.5-percent decline to-date.

 

On a month-to-month basis, global polished diamond prices in January saw a rise of 0.8 percent over December.

 

 

On a year-over-year basis, the average price in January showed a 0.5-percent increase.

 

 

Diamond Prices by Size

On a month-to-month basis – comparing prices during January 2018 to December 2017 – there were four rising categories and one decliner as seen in the graph below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a year-over-year basis, there were two decliners and four risers as can be seen in the graph below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the longer term, the general trend is that 4-carat stones have shown the most price volatility, although 3-carat diamonds have displayed the steepest year-over-year decline since mid-2015, as the graph below illustrates. From December 2015 onwards, there has been relative price stability in 1-carat, 1.5-carat and 2-carat stones.

 

 

Outlook

 

Sentiment in the diamond centers was generally solid, with the industry restocking after what was reportedly an upbeat holiday sales season and with the Chinese New Year (which falls on February 16) sales period.

 

There are solid expectations for the Year of the Dog in China as regional jewelry players report good results. And in the United States, with Valentine's Day approaching, retailers are re-filling.

 

In Israel polished manufacturers and traders were preparing for the annual International Diamond Week in Israel, which was set for February 5-7. And in India and Antwerp, reports from the trade suggested the year was starting off slowly, albeit with firm sales.

 

For the full IDEX Online Research article, click here