Diamond Report

Date: 28th – Nov - 2019

Diamond Sector News:

Market sentiment improves as focus shifts to retail ahead of Thanksgiving weekend. Jewelers preparing
Black Friday promotions, with strong emphasis on e-commerce. Department stores and mall-based
retailers offering heavy online discounts to entice customers. A lot of diamonds out on memo. Dealers
maintaining firm prices for RapSpec A3+ diamonds, with positive trend in dossiers as reduced
manufacturing has led to scarcity of better qualities. Cutters raising polished production in anticipation of
post-holiday demand, but rough supply limited. Belgium Oct. rough imports -30% to $529M. Petra
Diamonds sells 20.08 ct. blue rough for $14.9M ($741,000/ct.).

Fancies: Some improvement in 1 ct. and larger, G-H, VS-SI fancy shapes. Pears and Ovals are the
strongest shapes. High-end collection goods weak as dealers and consumers shift to lower price points.
Ovals for fashion jewelry moving well in 1.50 and 2.99 ct., G-H, VS and H-K, SI2. Large Emeralds steady.
Marquises and Princesses weak despite reduced manufacturing. US sustaining market for commercial-
quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Chinese consumers seeking fancy shapes since prices are
lower than rounds. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell even at very deep discounts.

United States: Wholesale market stable. Dealers waiting for feedback from retailers about large quantity
of goods out on memo. Steady demand for 0.90 to 1.50 ct., G-J, VS2-I1 diamonds for engagement rings.
Jewelers more focused on selling than buying. Emphasis on improving e-commerce and omni-channel
platforms.

Belgium: Busy activity in Diamantkring during Antwerp Rough Diamond Days, with Martin Rapaport
presenting “Future of the Diamond Industry.” Lack of goods limiting transactions after 3Q market slump.
Polished trading better than expected, with a lot of Israeli buyers looking for goods. Stable holiday
demand for 1 to 2 ct., G-J, VS-SI diamonds. Large stones above 4 ct. slow.

Israel: Positive sentiment, with buyers looking for specific RapSpec A3+ diamonds. Suppliers
concentrating on 1 ct., G-J, VS2-I1 stones for the US market. Dealers willing to compromise on
profitability, preferring goods that are easy to sell quickly. Ovals and pears doing well in 1.50 to 2.99 ct.
sizes. Good movement of fancy yellow diamonds above 3 ct.

India: Surat manufacturing back to normal as most workers have returned after Diwali break. Steady
rough demand as factories raise polished production. Shortages in select RapSpec A3+ diamonds with
no fluorescence. Overseas buyers, mainly from Israel and China, looking for SI to I1 goods, with some
improvement in 0.30 to 0.50 ct., G-J, VS-SI stones. Local jewelry market relatively slow as wedding
season begins.

Hong Kong: Diamond wholesale and jewelry retail markets extremely quiet as political protests have
escalated. Many businesses closed or offering flexible work hours for staff. China retail picking up ahead
of Chinese New Year on January 25. Improved demand for 0.30 to 0.50 ct., F-J, VS-SI diamonds. E-
commerce offering strong growth opportunities. Uncertainty over trade war persists.

(Source: Rapaport News)

 Up Coming Events
Starts Ends Type Events Location
20/12/19 23/12/19 Show Jaipur Jewellery Show (JJS) Jaipur
21/12/19 23/12/19 Show Mumbai Jewellery & Gem Fair (MJGF) Mumbai

Diamond Report
Date: 28th - Nov - 2019

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