Diamond markets quiet and
conservative, with dealers in Belgium and Israel returning from vacation next
week. Diamantaires hoping
September Hong Kong fair will stimulate stronger 4Q polished trading. IIJS show
sees busy gold-jewelry section, but wholesalers cautious as rupee depreciates to
INR 70/$1 for the first time. Rough demand stable as cutters prepare for
holiday orders. Alrosa July sales +16% to $339M, starts testing ruble
payments for rough. Sarine 2Q sales -1% to $18M, profit +28% to $4M. Belgium
July polished exports +8% to $1.1B, rough imports +23% to $956M. Tiffany to
refurbish 5th Avenue flagship store. De Beers appoints Jim Duffy to head Tracr
blockchain program.
Fancies:
Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek Pears and Princesses at
better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best
sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Marquises and Princesses weak.
Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears
and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US
supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct.
Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep
discounts.
United
States: Dealers
still feeling impact of summer slowdown. Selective demand with suppliers
holding prices firm. Steady orders for 1 ct., G-J, VS-SI, 3X goods. Some
caution in jewelry retail sector, with lower-than-expected July and August
sales. Trade optimistic for fourth-quarter holiday season.
Belgium: Bourses closed for annual summer break
and set to reopen next week. Dealers concerned about growing acceptance of
synthetics, and are calling for more effective lobbying from industry leadership.
Israel: Trading slow during ongoing vacation
period. Dealers working with James Allen note shift in demand to VS from SIs. Good
orders on the consumer portal for 0.70 ct., G-H, VVS2-VS1. Weak wholesale market
for smaller items up to 0.29 ct., with prices down from three months ago.
Businesses preparing for Hong Kong show, seeing stable Chinese interest in 0.50
to 1.99 ct., VVS-VS, K-M diamonds.
India: Activity relatively quiet following
last week’s IIJS show. Polished trading slow as expected at the fair, but solid
demand for gold and diamond jewelry. Retailers looking for lower price points,
with lightweight gold and fancy-shape diamonds proving popular. Dealer
sentiment cautious amid ongoing bankruptcy rumors. Manufacturers maintaining
steady production ahead of fourth quarter.
Hong Kong: Market improving, with dealers
acclimating to weaker yuan currency and higher price points. Recent stock
market drop dampening retail sentiment. Dossiers moving well, with stable orders
for 0.30 to 0.50 ct. D-H, VS-SI, RapSpec A2+ diamonds. IF-VVS dossiers soft.
Lower colors strong, reflecting shift in local demand. Rising expectations for
September show.
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