Polished trading stable in 1 ct. and larger, with
dealers optimistic for Black Friday and holiday season. Record Alibaba Singles’
Day (11/11) sales of $30.8B boost outlook for e-commerce, despite concerns
US-China trade war will impact consumer spending. Rough market cautious. De
Beers cuts prices of small, low-quality goods by 5% to 15% amid slump in demand for and prices of polished melee. Christie’s Geneva garners $110M (86% by lot),
with rectangular, 18.96 ct., fancy-vivid-pink, VS1 diamond selling to Harry
Winston for $50.4M ($2.7M/ct.). Sotheby’s Geneva Royal Jewels sale fetches $53M
(100% by lot), with Marie Antoinette pearl-and-diamond pendant going for
$36.2M.
Fancies: Fancy-shape market stable, driven by US and European demand for
fashion jewelry. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and
Pears. Supply shortage supporting prices for Pears. Radiants improving.
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. Chinese consumers seeking fancy shapes at better
prices. 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: Polished trading stable, but quieter
than expected for this time of year. Dossiers steady; larger sizes above 3 ct.
slow. Fancy-color diamonds for high-end fashion jewelry selling well. Retailers
readying for Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 22). Emphasis on omni-channel, with
branded jewelers improving their interaction between online and in-store
offerings.
Belgium: Market flat, supported by solid, price-driven demand
for dossiers. Dealers selling mainly to the US and China, with lower presence
of Israeli and Indian traders. Good orders for pears and ovals. Buyers holding
firm prices for top-quality goods. Cautious rough-market sentiment, despite
drop in prices for small and cheaper diamonds.
Israel: Dealers focused on filling US demand and specific
orders from China. Steady interest in 1 ct., J-K, SI diamonds (3X, none).
Strong market for 10 ct. and larger. Fancy shapes doing well, with 1.50 ct. pear
shapes standing out as the strongest item. Leviev bribery allegations clouding
sentiment.
India: Trading quiet as dealers slowly return from Diwali
break. Activity expected to pick up from next week. Surat factories to remain
closed or operate at low capacity. Rumored bankruptcies, weak rupee and tight
liquidity dampened dealer and retail sentiment during festival.
Hong Kong: Mood improving. Wholesale market more active than in October,
and dealers optimistic for busier trading as Chinese New Year season
approaches. Rising demand for 0.50 to 1 ct., D-F, VVS and H-I, SI2 goods.
Positive sentiment after Alibaba’s record online Singles’ Day sales, with
jewelers preparing omni-channel offering for holidays.
|
|
|
|
|