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RAPAPORT... Polished diamond imports in the U.S. spiked 19 percent year on year in April to $1.71 billion, led by a 20 percent jump in price per carat at $1,934. But polished diamond exports surged 40 percent to $1.609 billion as the price per carat skyrocketed 47 percent to $1,530. Nonetheless, net imports plunged 64 percent to $101 million. Rough diamond imports increased 22 percent to $33 million and rough exports jumped 73 percent to $26 million in April, leaving net imports of $7 million compared with $12 million one year ago. The U.S. recorded a net diamond account of $108 million for April, down 63 percent from April 2012. Polished diamond imports for the first four months of 2012 have risen 9.5 percent year on year to $6.839 billion, while polished exports have surged 11.6 percent to $6.073 billion. Net polished imports have slipped 4.5 percent to $767 million. Rough imports have weakened 5.4 percent to $139 million, while rough exports have slipped 24 percent to $95 million, leaving net imports of $43 million compared with $22 million one year ago. The net diamond account for January through April has eroded 1.8 percent year on year to $810 million.
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