Diamond Trading

Diamond Trading

Diamond trading was slow in May.  Some hold high expectations for diamond trading at the JCK trade show.  However, some are concerned about the scheduling of the event.  As it is held during the weekdays.  Suppliers are trying to hold onto polished profits during diamond trading.   Rough diamond prices rose 1% to 2% during De Beers auction.

Diamond Trading and Buyers

The famous Graff diamond company buys a 373.72 ct., D, type IIa rough diamond for $17.5M total.  Sotheby’s in Geneva sells a $151.5M  pear-shape diamond, along with a 14.54 ct., fancy vivid blue, IF.  Which sells for $42.1M ($2.9M price per carat.) Sotherby's also sells a matching pear set of 16 carats fancy intense pink, VVS2 clarity diamond for $15.3M.  Christie’s in Geneva collected $95 mill for a heart-shape 92.15 carats D color, flawless for $15M ($162,611/ct.).

Fancies Shapes and Diamond Trading  

Demand for fancy shape diamonds in the far east is steady.  Oval cut diamonds are becoming more popular than the Pear shape the US.  The is a short supply of fine quality large oval and pear shapes.  Likewise, demand for fine made cushion cut diamonds are stable.  Emeralds selling better than Princesses. Some demand for big fancy shapes, but buyers extremely picky. Improving demand for Radiant, 3.01 to 9.99 ct., D-I, SI1-SI2 elongated stones. Large price differentials between excellent- and average-cut fancies. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and very hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

Diamond Trading Domestic and Abroad

In the United States, diamond trading is steady.  The mood in the industry is positive as trade picked up in March and April.  The beginning of the year was slow.  Furthermore, dealers preparing for JCK trade show in Las Vegas.  There is a scarcity of well shaped fancy diamonds.  Demand for melee demand is stable.  The retail aspect of diamond trading is holding strong.  Dealers with websites are compensating for the downturn with online sales. In Belgium, diamond trading is trading slow, especially for polished dealers.  Consumers are focusing on a narrow selection of goods they know sellable.   However, there is also a shortage of better-quality fine make fancy diamond.  There is decent demand for 0.30 to 0.50 ct., D-H, VS-SI diamonds.  Also, there is improving demand for larger sizes above 3 carats in the SI clarity range.  Strong trading of rough diamonds after De Beers sight. In Israel the polished market decent.  Diamond sellers have a positive outlook about the Las Vegas trade shows.  Suppliers shifting to niche products like color diamonds and fancy shape diamond layouts. Suppliers in India are also preparing for the Las Vegas trade shows.  However, this year, many companies are sending fewer employees to keep costs down. Tainted Diamond Pipelines http://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=58905&ArticleTitle=Rapaport+Weekly+Market+Comment