Positive sentiment spreads to trading centers
after Hong Kong show demonstrates good dealer demand for dossiers. Selective
buyers creating opportunities for suppliers with the best goods. Large volume
of new polished expected to fill shortages of better-quality RapSpec A2+
diamonds. Big-stone market improving ahead of Basel show. Rough market stable.
ALROSA 2016 revenue +41% to $5.5B, profit quadruples to $2.3B. Grib Diamonds
2016 sales +82% to $336M. Gem Diamonds 2016 revenue -24% to $190M, loss of
$144M vs. profit of $77M the previous year. U.S. Jan. polished imports flat at
$1.8B, polished exports -1% at $1.3B.
Fancies: Fancy-shape
demand for Pears good in the Far East with Ovals overtaking Pears as strongest
shape in the U.S. Shortages of fine-quality, large Pears and Ovals. Cushions
stable. Emeralds selling better than Princesses. Some demand for big fancy
shapes, but buyers extremely picky. Improving demand for Radiant, 3.01 to 9.99
ct., D-I, SI1-SI2 elongated stones. Large price differentials between
excellent- and average-cut fancies. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and
very hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.
United States:
Positive sentiment with steady demand and buyers looking for deals,
particularly on GIA-dossiers. Suppliers holding prices firm to protect tight
manufacturing margins. Snowstorm in New York closes offices. Blizzard
also affecting retail sales in the Northeast.
Belgium: Steady activity raises
the mood in Antwerp. Buyers filling specific orders and careful not to build up
excessive inventory. Far East retailers replacing inventory with goods at lower
price points. Stable demand for 0.30 to 0.50 ct., D-K, VS-SI and for 1 to 2
ct., G-J, VS2-I1 diamonds. Large stones firming due to shortages, particularly
3 ct. and larger, D-F, VS-SI goods.
Israel: Trading continues to
improve. Selective buyers looking for larger volumes in a narrower range of
categories. Chinese competing with U.S. buyers for SIs. Good trading in 1 to
1.50 ct., D-J, SI2-I1 diamonds. Buyers seeking unique pieces with good demand
for rare fancy color diamonds – blues, pinks, reds, greens and fancy
orange.
India: Dealers more optimistic
than before the Hong Kong show. U.S. demand steady and Chinese demand continues
to improve. SIs moving well. Good demand for GIA-dossiers. Suppliers hope large
volume of polished production will fill current shortages of better-quality,
RapSpec A2+ diamonds. Large manufacturers operating close to full capacity.
Rough trading stable.
Hong Kong: Positive mood continues
as dealers follow up on leads from the Hong Kong show. Suppliers selling larger
volumes of lower-priced goods. Good demand for 0.30 to 0.70 ct., and 1 to 1.50
ct., D-L, VS2-SI2 diamonds. Independent retailers note rising demand for color
gemstones and fancy color diamonds as colorless diamonds stagnate. Chinese
jewelers upbeat about first-quarter sales during Chinese New Year season. |
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