RAPAPORT...
Antwerp
People are complaining about Antwerp Diamond Office price hikes.
• Minimum handling of import or export was raised from 2.5 euro [$3.34] to 5 euro [$6.67].
• Kimberley certificate for export of rough, previously available at no charge, will now cost 5 euro [$6.67].
China
The majority of goods selling in the market are:
• 10-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, selling at approximately $620 to $660. • 6-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, selling at approximately $830 to $870.
• 4-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, selling at approximately $1,040 to $1,080.
• 3-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, selling at approximately $1,400 to $1,500.
The market also accepts:
• 10-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $550 to $580.
• 6-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $780 to $830.
• 4-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $900 to $950.
• 3-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $1,250 to $1,350.
• Demand has increased for 1/3 to 3/4 and 4/4 and up size range, G-I, VS1-VVS, in very good or excellent make.
Hong Kong• Stones larger than 5 carats are still the hottest item and are popular in a wide range of colors and clarities.
• 30- to 40-pointers in dossiers are sought after, but most of the heavy demand is for 50-pointers and larger. Stones with Gemological Institute of America (GIA) dossiers are what customers want.
• Small Indian goods in 2-pointers and smaller still sell well, while other sizes are more sluggish.
• For smaller-sized fancies, Indian makes are moving fairly well.
IndiaIndia is seeing average movement with shortages of goods in certain categories.
• Demand is very strong for -2 in the range of $200+. There is an extreme shortage of goods in this category.
• Stars are seeing average movement, mainly in the VVS-VS/I+ category.
• Activity is good for melee goods in the I2+/I+ category.
• Movement is good in 0.08 to 0.18 carats in the price range of $300 to $450 and VS+/I+.
• 1/5, 1/4 and 1/3 are enjoying good movement in piqué goods.
• 0.50 carats have better movement in I1-I2/I+ and VVS/H+ goods.
• 0.70 carats are in good demand for I1-I2/I+ and VS+/I+ categories.
• 0.90 carats are in very strong demand, with extreme shortages in supply.
• 1.00 carat is in good demand for collection and piqué goods. Shortages exist for premium sizes and extreme shortages for 1.70 carats+.
• 2 carats have average movement in collection goods.
• 3 and 4 carats are in good demand, with shortages in supply.
• 5 carats+ are in very strong demand, with extreme shortages.
• Demand is strong for princess, marquise and pear cuts in collection goods across the board.
Israel• Princesses and emeralds are in good demand in small sizes from 0.10 to 0.70 points.
• Demand is fair for 1 carat+ pears and ovals, but pears, ovals and marquises are weak below 0.75 carats.
• SI rounds with lower-quality H-K color have soft demand.
• There is fair demand for oversize diamonds 1.25 carats and up.
• Fancy colors, particularly small goods between 0.10 and 0.50, are in demand for the upcoming show in Basel.
Japan• Prices of 3 carats+ are very strong. Although the yen gained strength over the past month, it has not slowed foreigners buying in Japan. Dealers are having difficulty replenishing inventories, despite a sluggish domestic market.
• The fancy shape capes, which have a price advantage over round brilliants, are also gaining strength. Prices are strong, particularly for 3 carat+.
• Bridal items of below-carat pointers are slow.
• Smalls, stars and melees of better qualities are also strong.
Russia
• ALROSA’s 20th auction of special-sized diamonds, where rough from ALROSA-Nyurba was offered for the first time, sold 159 out of 166 offers for more than $23 million.
• ALROSA collected $4.8 million at the March 7 auction during the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show 2007, selling all 29 offers of rough totaling 4,500 carats. Polished sales brought ALROSA another $1.3 million. Vladlen Nogovitsin, head of Arcos Hong Kong, ALROSA’s Hong Kong branch, noted that the whole range of rough offered at the auction was in good demand.
U.S. Retail• Spring brings the bridal season.
• Journey products continue to do well.
• Circle pendants remain strong.
• Diamond fashion in general is staying strong.
• Diamond supplies are good, although finding better stones can sometimes take more time.
U.S. Wholesale• Trading activity remains mixed.
• Polished prices fluctuate.
• Rough prices are uneven.
• Bigger and better goods rule the roost.
• Stones below 1 carat are weaker.
• Fancies see scarcity across the board.
• 4-carats-and-up fancies are especially hard to find.
• Princesses continue to be in demand.
• Cushions have picked up.
• Asschers, emeralds and radiants are healthy.
• Pears and ovals are growing in popularity.
• Hearts and marquises see a relative increase.
• Fancy colors remain even.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - April 2007. To subscribe click here.