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RAPAPORT... U.S. polished diamond imports fell 22 percent year on year to $1.283 billion in August, while polished exports declined by only 8 percent to $1.278 billion. Net polished imports for August came to $5 million compared with $258 million one year earlier. Rough diamond imports jumped 29 percent year on year to $40 million and rough exports surged 43 percent to $20 million, leaving net rough imports of $20 million compared with $17 million one year earlier. The net diamond account for August, reflecting net imports of both polished and rough diamonds, fell 91 percent to $25 million. During the first eight months of 2012, the U.S. has imported $13.503 billion worth of polished diamonds, reflecting a drop of 10 percent from 2011. Polished exports have fallen 6 percent year on year to $11.494 billion, leaving net imports of $2.009 billion compared with $2.814 billion in 2011. Rough imports fell 19 percent to $342 million, however, rough exports have plunged 24 percent to $221 million, leaving net imports of $123 million compared with $133 million one year ago.
The net diamond account for the first eight months of 2012 was down 27 percent year on year to $2.142 billion.
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