RAPAPORT...
Antwerp
• Below 25 points, across the board, are the hottest items.
• 30 points: little pickup, especially in VVS goods, after a long quiet time. There is a possibility of slightly increased prices.
• 70 points: VS2 up, demand has suddenly increased for stones with certificates.
• 60-, 80- and 90-pointers: strong demand exists and more demand than supply.
• 1 and 1.5 carats are selling better in big volume across the board over the past three weeks, piqués included.
• 2 carats are depressed.
China
• Demand weakened in November compared with the previous month.
• A slight decline in prices occurred for sizes below 6-per-carat.
Hong Kong
• 3 to 5 carats in D-F colors in VVS-SI are in extremely hot demand, mostly in rounds, but also in fancy shapes.
• 1.00 to 1.90 carats in a wide range of colors and clarities are moving well. Top makes or heavy makes are in demand, while good makes linger in limbo unless offered at better-than-usual discounts.
• Laser inscription is becoming more popular with consumers, with many demanding it before purchasing. The trend seems to be gaining support, as many diamond manufacturers now laser-inscribe all their stones.
• 0.50-and-larger dossiers are still in demand, but smaller sizes seem to have softened.
• Demand has picked up for small Indian sizes, but the main problem is that there is demand in specific sizes only, and others are totally neglected.
India
• Stars and melees were very strong the entire month, with high demand and shortages to match orders. Goods moved in the category of I1+/J+ in whites. Browns and yellows also sold very well.
• 0.50 carats are in very good demand in two clarity ranges, I1 - I2/J+ and VS2+/I+.
• 0.70 and 0.90 carats are still selling very well, with shortages seen in VS2+/H+. Oversized goods are commanding a premium of 2 to 3 percent minimum.
• Demand has picked up for SI1-SI2/I+ for 1-carat goods.
• 1.50 to 1.99 carats are very hot, with goods hard to find in better colors and clarities in nice makes. Lower colors and clarities are much easier to find.
• 2 carats are stable with goods available in most colors and clarities. Premium sizes are slightly hard to find.
• 3 carats+ are in good demand, especially for matched pairs. Not too many stones are seen locally.
• Green, pink and yellow colors in sizes up to .20 carats are in very good demand. Good demand exists for fancy yellows above 1 carat.
• Rose cut diamonds are in good demand, especially small goods up to .50 carats.
Israel
• Moderate trading conditions exist in the U.S and Far East.
• There is solid demand for 3 carats+, D-F/VS+.
• Prices of polished 1 to 2 carats are low and prices of 3 to 5 carats are holding steady.
• There is strong demand for fancy yellows, especially VS+ in 2 to 4 carats.
• Demand for rounds remains steady.
• There is strong demand for 2.5 carats+ in pear shapes, radiants, ovals, heart shapes, Asschers and cushions.
• Asscher cuts in 1 to 2 carats are picking up.
• Demand is soft for marquise and princess cuts 3 carats+; emeralds are picking up in 5 carats+.
• There are heavy shortages in 10 carats+ rough, accompanied by high prices.
Japan• Demand is strong for large, round brilliants of 3, 5 and 10 carats.
• Demand for large fancy shapes is not as strong as for round brilliants.
• 4/4-grainers continue to be weak across the board, especially for high grades and better cut grades in round. Princess cuts continue to be popular.
• Fancy light yellows are moving steadily.
• Smalls, melees and small fancy shapes are in steady demand, but the demand is very specific.
Russia• Demand is high for rounds larger than 1 carat.
• Rounds smaller than 0.29 carats are in demand.
• All cuts larger than 2 carats are in stable demand.
• Fancy cuts from 0.30 to 0.99 carats are moving slowly.
U.S. Retail• Bridal jewelry is the holiday best seller.
• Yellow gold is expected to do well.
• Chain-link necklaces continue to be popular.
• Button earrings are strong in the East.
• Cocktail rings should do well.
• Jewelers are finding the stones they need — but it can take time.
U.S. Wholesale
• Trading activity is mixed.
• Polished prices are stable.
• Rough prices remain steady.
• Smallest goods see good demand.
• Fine goods, 3 carats and up, still experience severe shortages.
• Fancies are generally healthy.
• Bigger and better fancies see extreme demand.
• Princesses are mixed.
• Bigger pears and ovals are selling moderately well.
• Hearts are flat to slow.
• Emeralds improve.
• Marquises are very slow.
• Fancy colors are generally robust.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - December 2006. To subscribe click here.