There was finally, an upsurge in demand for polished from buyers and retailers as the holiday season moved into full swing. In Antwerp, Mumbai and Ramat Gan, wholesalers reported good demand and rising prices, while in Hong Kong, even though the level of business was decent, traders were still facing slower business. Wholesalers expressed worry about demand levels once the holiday season comes to an end.

 

U.S.

As the holiday season gathered strength, there were some shortages, owing to hesitation on the part of retailers and diamond wholesalers to overstock. This was a marked contrast from the sluggish demand that characterized the start of the season. Despite the shortages, it appeared that many preferred to exercise maintain a limited inventory rather than being lumbered with goods that could not be sold.

 

Fancy cuts, such as princesses and cushions, continued to be popular, with value-conscious buyers finding their lower prices appealing. There was also strong demand for 2 carats and up in SI qualities, as well as for the decreased priced I1 goods. Princess cuts under 1 carat were difficult to replenish.

 

Rounds

 0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / I, slow

  

 0.05-0.15 cts, D-J / SI+, slow

 

 0.10-0.75 cts, G-H / SI, selling

 

   1/5-3/4, D-J / pique, mediocre demand

 

 1/5-3/4, D-J / VS+, slow

 

  0.30-0.70 cts, D-J / SI+, selling, shortages reported

 

   0.90-1.50 cts, G-H / SI, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-2.00 cts, D-M / pique, slow

 

 1.00-2.00 cts, F-J / SI+, slow 

 

   1.50-3.00 cts, D-M / VS-SI, mediocre demand

 

 2.00-4.00 cts D-K / SI+, slow

 

 4.00+ cts D-J/ pique, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 All fancy cuts, 0.10-0.99 cts, D-K / SI+, selling

 

 Cushions and Princess, 0.10-0.40 cts, selling

 

   Pears and Ovals, 0.20-1.00 cts, H+ / VS+, mediocre demand

 

 

Antwerp

The Antwerp diamond market showed some movement due to the holiday season, however, orders were not strong enough to push prices up to the levels traders had hoped for.

 

Diamantaires reported that this was a slow holiday seasons compared to other centers, which were seeing a considerable increase in activity. Overseas buyers visiting Antwerp said it was a good time to buy, since they could take advantage of the fact that wholesalers expected business to slow down after the holiday.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, selling

 

   1/5, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

   0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, mediocre demand

 

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

 

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

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, F-J / SI1+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

   1.00+ cts, Fancy colors, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-5.00 cts, D/ IF, slow

  

 4.00+ cts, G-J / VS-SI, slow, demands limited to reasonably priced goods

 

 4.00+ cts, G-J / VVS, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Cushions, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, selling

 

   Marquises, Radiants, Ovals, and Hearts, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

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

 

 

Mumbai

Demand levels were up considerably, especially after the Diwali holiday. This surprised overseas buyers who did not expect local demand to noticeably drive prices. Another strong local driver was the strong marriage season. Due to limited production – a response to slow demand during the year – the sudden surge in demand led to scarcity of goods.

 

These positive developments were only marred by the continued high dollar exchange rate against the rupee

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, selling

 

   1/5, H-J / VS, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, selling

 

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

 

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

 

 0.80-1.99 cts, F-M / VVS to SI, selling

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI to pique, selling

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI1+, good makes, selling

 

 4.00+ cts, H-M / VS-SI, selling

 

 4.00+ cts, H-M / VVS, selling

 

Fancy Cuts

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

 

 Marquises and Aschers, 0.25-3.00 cts, F-J / VS+, slow

 

 Princesses, Pears, Hearts and Emeralds, 1.00-10.00 cts, I-L / VS, selling

 

 

Ramat Gan

There were good trading levels at the Israel Diamond Exchange, with a decent number of buyers visiting the center. Demand from local buyers also kept brokers busy.

 

Although there was still resistance to asking prices, buyers paid them, especially as there were shortages in some goods. Despite this, a few traders complained that prices were so low that they preferred to hold on to old stock until they could sell, if not at a profit, then at least at cost.

 

Even though Israel is the leading supplier of polished diamonds to the American market, traders were concerned that after the New Year, business could fall considerably and were pinning their hopes on the Eastern markets.

 

Rounds

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

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, slow 

 

   1/5, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, selling

 

   0.25-0.90 cts, D-K / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

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

 

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

 

 1.00-5.00+ cts, D / IF, slow

 

  4.00 cts, G-L / VS-SI, selling

 

    4.00 cts, H-M / VVS, mediocre demand

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-3.00 cts, G-L / SI+, selling

 

 Princesses and Cushions, 0.50-3.00 cts, F-K / SI, selling

 

    Marquises, Asschers and Hearts, 1.00-10.00 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 All fancy cuts, 1.00-5.00 cts, fancy colors, slow

 

 

Hong Kong

After the Hong Kong diamond market showed a considerable improvement ahead of the holiday season, decent movement continued in December. This new demand was not, however, enough to lead to an increase in prices, as was seen in the manufacturing centers.

 

Local traders focused on getting the best prices they could and tried to get rid of old stock before buying new goods. However, the expectation of an improvement in demand led them to buy some goods for stock.

 

Rounds
 0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, selling

 

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

 

   1/5, G-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, white / pique, selling

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, H-J / SI+, selling

 

 1.00-10.00 cts, D-J / pique, slow

  

 1.00-5.00 cts, D / IF, slow

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-M / VVS-SI, selling

 

 4.00 cts, H-L / SI+, slow, unless the prices were attractive

 

 5.00-10.00+ cts, H-L / VS-SI, slow, unless the prices were very attractive

 

 5.00-10.00+ cts, H-M / VVS, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

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

 

   Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-4.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

   Marquises, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-5.00 cts, H-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

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