The U.S. market remains quiet, with mediocre movement characterizing the atmosphere of the exchange. Strong demand continues, however, for high-end goods. Preparations for Baselworld, April 3-10, kept traders busy in Antwerp, as good overall activity was noted in that diamond center. In Ramat Gan, traders noted very low inventory levels, no doubt a result of goods being sent abroad for the show in Basel. The Mumbai market is reporting healthy activity, with a high number of overseas buyers, mainly from Israel, present in the exchange. Finally, in Hong Kong, diamantaires are seeing good movement. Pressure on polished prices continues.

 

 

U.S.

Mediocre activity is reported in the U.S. market. Pique goods in smaller sizes continue to remain soft, with lower colors reporting especially sluggish trading. Similar to the real estate market in New York, in which high-end real estate enjoys high demand, the diamond market complements this trend with demand for the high-end market continuing to dominate the scene. Larger goods, especially in better qualities of all shapes and sizes are very much in demand, and consequently, prices are escalating for these goods.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / SI+, moving

 

 1/5, SI+, moving well

 

 1⁄4-1/3, D-H / VS+, moving

 

 3/8-3/4, D-H / VS+, strong demand

 

 1.00 cts, D-H / VS+, good demand

 

 2.00-3.00+ cts, across the board, certified, strong demand

 

 Fancy colors, SI2+, good demand

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, 0.50-2.00+ cts, D-I / SI+, moving

 

 Square cuts 2.00+ cts, D-F / VS2+, strong demand

 

 Square cuts, 3⁄4+, white, selling

 

 Marquises, Ovals and Pears, 3.00+ cts, white / VS+, strong demand

 

 

Antwerp

Good action was seen at the Belgium diamond exchange with a good flow of demands and buyers mostly from mainland Europe. Preparations for the Basel show kept traders busy this week, and many traders from this center are participating and visiting the show. The atmosphere, in the mean time, is one of optimism.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, mediocre movement

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, good demand

 

 1/5, across the board, slow

 

 1/4-3/4, across the board, good demand

 

 1-5 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, good demand

 

 1-10 (mainly 2.50+) cts, D-M / SI1+, good makes, heavy demand against short supply; high asking prices

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 (mainly 3.00+) cts, D-K / SI+, good demand

 

 Marquises, Pears, Ovals, Emeralds and Hearts, 0.25-5.00 (mainly 3.00+) cts, D-K / SI+, selling

 

 Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/6, D-I / SI+, moving

 

 

Ramat Gan

Inventory levels remained very low in Ramat Gan this week, due to many traders sending their goods to Basel for the show. The goods that were available in the market were notably expensive, although sellers say that they expect better selling prices can be achieved at the show. The number of overseas buyers in the market was low, and this center is expected to be slow during the entire month of April, as the Passover holiday also begins later this month.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, moving

 

 1/5, across the board, slow

 

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/4, D-J / VS+, good makes, good demand

 

 0.75-1.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, selling

 

 1-10 (mainly 2.50+) cts, D-M / SI1+, good makes, heavy demand against short supply; high asking prices

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1-5 cts, D-J / VS+, slowing

 

 Marquises, Pears, Emeralds, Hearts and Ovals, 1-5 cts, D-J / SI+, selling

 

 All fancy shapes, 2.00+ cts, fancy colors, selling

 

 

Mumbai

Good movement was seen at the Mumbai diamond market with local demand keeping the traders busy and a decent number of overseas buyers in the market, mainly from Israel. Traders say that, although conditions here remain comparatively better than in other exchanges, they would like to see higher trading levels overall.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, across the board, good demand

 

 1/5, across the board, slow

 

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, good demand

 

 1/4-3/4, D-J / SI+, good makes, good demand, mainly from the local market

 

 1/2-3/4, white / pique, including goods for treatment, selling

 

 1-5 cts, white / SI to pique, good demand

 

 1.00-1.25 cts, G-H / IF-VVS2, good makes, selling very well

 

 2.00+ cts (excluding 5.00 cts), D-L / SI1+, good makes, no black pique, strong demand

 

 5.00 cts, G-M / VS+, the drop in demand seen over the past few weeks is holding its course, and demand has not yet returned to the strong levels noted in previous months

 

Fancy Cuts

 Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 1/4-3/4, D-J / VS+, selling well

 

 Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 1/4-3/4, H-J / VS+, good demand

 

 Emeralds, Pears, Marquises and Hearts, 3.00+ cts, H-J / VS+, selling well

 

 Asschers, 3.00+ cts, I-K / VVS-VS, selling

 

 

Far East

Decent movement was seen at the Hong Kong diamond market. Traders are expressing satisfaction with trading levels, especially when they consider that this center is doing the best as compared to other exchanges. Pressure on the prices of polished goods is continuing to mount, especially for 2.00+ carat goods, H-K / VS+, all shapes.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / SI1+, good makes, good demand

 

 1/5, across the board, slow

 

 1/4-3/4, white / pique, slow

 

 1/4-3/4, D-J / VS+, good demand

 

 1-5 cts, white / pique, mediocre movement

 

 1-10 (mainly 3.00+cts), D to cape / SI+, good makes, strong demand

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Radiants and Emeralds, 1-5 cts, D-M / SI+, good demand

 

 Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-J / VS+, strong demand

 

 Marquises, Pears, Ovals and Hearts, 3.00-5.00 cts, D-K / SI+, demand up

 

 Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/2, D-J / VS+, selling