Preparations for the holiday season is creating increased demands in New York for goods in the 1/5-1/2 carat sizes for jewelry mountings. Suppliers participating in jewelry programs report healthy demand for commercial SI to I1 goods in J+ colors. Belgian dealers complain about pricing wanting an increase in polished, or a reduction in rough. Ramat Gan saw the increased presence of foreign traders, strong pressure on prices is felt. Some movement was noted in Mumbai before closing for Diwali.In Hong Kong, while there is movement, sellers are maintaining their position until buyers have no other choice.

 

 

U.S.

The stance of the U.S. market continues to improve and trading levels continue to rise. Jewelry retailers and manufacturers report increased demand, mostly for goods below 1.00 carat in better qualities, specifically 1/5-1/2 carat sizes, as they prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Polished suppliers engaged in jewelry programs report healthy demand for commercial SI to I1 goods in J+ colors. As supplies of polished have been kept to a minimum over the past year due to the apprehensive economy, shortages of supply are experienced for goods in demand. Fancy shapes are doing better in SI1 and better clarities; a rise in sales is seen for ovals.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, moving

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, picking up

 

 1/5-3/4, D-J / SI1 to I1, good demand

 

 1/5-3/4, G+ / VS+, good demand

 

 0.90-1.00 cts, G-J / SI+, strong demand

 

 2.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI1-2, picking up

 

 2.00-3.00 cts, D-M / VS+, moving

 

 4.00+ cts, D-K / SI+, picking up

 

Fancy Cuts

 Fancy shapes, 1.00-3.00 cts, K+ / SI1+, demand up, shortage of supply

 

 Fancy shapes, 1.00-3.00cts, K+ / pique, mediocre demand

 

 

Antwerp
Decent demand levels and a rising struggle over prices of both polished and rough were seen in the Antwerp market over the past week. Traders say that pricing is getting more difficult, especially for rounds, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-J / VS+, where demand is strong and supplies short. Many added that there are only two options to resolve the situation: the prices of rough diamonds should go down or prices of polished goods should go up. However, stand alone, and given the current market specifics, neither seems plausible.

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, selling

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, good demand

 1/5, D-J / VS+, picking up

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

 0.25-0.90 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, picking up

 1.00-2.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, selling

 1.00-3.00 cts, G-L / SI1+, good makes, good demand, strong pressure on prices

 1.00+ cts, fancy colors, mediocre demand

 4.00+ cts, G-L / VS+, picking up

Fancy Cuts
 Princesses, Pears, Emeralds, Marquises, Radiants, Ovals and Hearts 1.00-3.00cts, D-K / SI+, mediocre demand

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


Ramat Gan
Trading activity as well as the presence of overseas buyers in the market saw increased levels at the Israel Diamond Exchange this week. Suppliers mention strong pressure on prices of polished goods saying that manufacturing and making a profit is very difficult.

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, slow

 

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

 

 1/5, across the board, slow

 

 1/4-1/2, white / pique, mediocre demand

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, selling

 

 0.70-0.90 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, selling

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, good demand

 

 1.00- 3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, good demand

 

 4.00 cts, G-L / VS+, mediocre demand, strong pressure on prices

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Pears, Marquises, Emeralds, Hearts and Ovals, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-J / SI+, slow

 

 4.00+ cts, all fancy shapes, slow

 

 

Mumbai

The Indian diamond market continued to show movement in the days before the market closes for the Diwali and New Year holidays. Several traders mentioned that unlike previous years, they are not planning to take a full vacation next week, since Diwali is earlier than usual this year, and they need to make the most of these days, compensating as much as possible for the weak market this past year.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J /SI+, selling

 

 1/5, H-J / VS, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, slow

 

 1/4-3/4, D-J / SI+, good makes, selling

 

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

 

 0.80-0.90 cts, F-J / VVS, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI to pique, good demand, mainly by overseas buyers

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-J / SI1+, good makes, good demand, shortage of supply

 

 4.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 0.25-1.00 cts, D-J / VS+, selling

 

 Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 1/4-3/4, F-J / VS+, demand up

 

 Marquises, Pears and Hearts, 1.00-3.00 cts, H-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

 Princesses, 2.00-3.00 cts, H-J / VS, selling

 

 

Far East

The Hong Kong diamond market continues to show movement although sellers are having a very difficult time selling the goods at their asking prices given the strong pressure from buyers. Sellers say they will maintain a strong position until the buyers have no choice but to pay up, otherwise, they would be out of the "game."

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, mediocre demand

 

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

 

 1/5, G-J / VS+, good demand

 

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

 

 1/4-3/4, H-J / SI+, good demand

 

 1.00-5.00 cts, D-J / pique, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-L / SI+, good demand, strong pressure on prices

 

 4.00+ cts, D-M / VS+, mediocre demand

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-K / SI+, selling

  

 Princesses, Radiants and Emeralds, 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 Marquises, Pears, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI+, good demand

 

 Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/2, H-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

 All fancy cuts, 4.00+ cts, mediocre demand