U.S. Rough Diamond Imports Rise 53.35% in November

Imports of rough diamonds to the U.S. leaped in value in November, reaching $69,744,246, that’s a 53.35 percent increase compared to November 2005. While imports grew in value, it plummeted in volume to 41,150 carats, a 52.33 decrease compared to 2005. As a result, average value shot up 221.68 percent to $1,167.98 p/c.

During the first 11 months of the year, the U.S. imported $746,062,064 worth of rough diamonds weighing 1,118,700 carats for an average $666.90 p/c. This is a 16.84 percent decline in value and 12.13 percent increase in volume compared to imports in January to November 2005.

South Africa was the leading supplier of rough to the U.S. in November, shipping 19,427 carats valued at $28,151,199, with an average value of $1,449.08 p/c. It was followed by Botswana, which supplied 10,926 carats worth $10,673,514, averaging $976.89 p/c. Congo (DROC) was the third leading supplier by value, shipping 1,597 carats worth $9,818,236, averaging $6,147.92 p/c.

Lesotho, a small diamond producer of high value goods, shipped 48 carats carrying a $683,869    price tag, for a high average of $14,247.27 p/c.

For the first time in 2006, the U.S. recorded rough diamond imports from Guinea-Bissau, 44 carats, valued at $131,730, an average of $2,993.86 p/c.