|
RAPAPORT... The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) for jewelry rose 1 percent year on year to 178.73 points in June, the first notable increase to be posted since September 2012. The jewelry CPI has fallen 1.6 percent for the first half of 2013, primarily as a result of lower gold and platinum prices.  Nonetheless, the CPI in June maintained a historically strong trend, marking the 30th consecutive month with a reading of more than 170 points. The CPI for jewelry reached a record 183 points in January 2012, but then prices for polished diamonds, gold and platinum began to decline. Only diamond prices have since stabilized, according to Rapaport Research. Meanwhile, the CPI for all product categories combined jumped 1.7 percent year on year in June to 232.94 points, a record high. The previous index record was 232.77 points posted in February.
|