Market Comments 2/5/2010Polished markets under pressure to increase prices due to speculatively high rough prices. Rough producers are creating artificial shortages which are driving up prices that are fueling speculative cycle. Far East trade quiets as wholesalers start Chinese New Year vacations with prices below that of cutting centers. Low expectations for U.S. Valentine’s Day sales. Gitanjali Group 3Q sales +63% to $391.5m, net profit +39% to $8.8m. Suashish Diamonds 3Q sales +117% to $67.4m, net profit of $3.7m vs. net loss of $6.6m a year earlier. Birks & Mayors 3Q sales +1% to $89m. Finlay Enterprises sells $122m of merchandise in Dec. Amazon 4Q sales +42% to $9.5b, net profit +71% to $384m. LMVH '09 revenue -1% to $24b with jewelry sales -13% to $1.1b, group profits -13% to $2.4b. Japan Dec. polished diamond imports -1% to $44m, full year ‘09 imports -20% to $619m. Clark McEwen appointed marketing manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds.