|
|
Rapaport TradeWire April 15, 2021
Apr 18, 2021 2:00 AM
By Rapaport
|
|
|
| April 15, 2021 | | RAPAPORT MARKET COMMENT |  | | Polished market seasonally slow. Uncertainty over impact of Mumbai lockdown as Maharashtra state tightens restrictions. GIA backlog expected to grow as Surat continues to produce diamonds. Concerns in colored-diamond market as GIA detects treatment in green stones. US retail upbeat as Mar. jewelry sales +106%, reports Mastercard. Signet 1Q forecast for revenue +88% to $1.6B. LVMH 1Q jewelry and watch sales +138% to $2.3B. Christie’s NY garners $35M (94% by lot), with 2.17 ct., fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond sold for $3.5M ($1.6M/ct.). Rapaport Research Report highlights improved trade liquidity and diamond financing. | | | RAPNET DIAMOND INDEX (RAPI™) | | | | Weekly | Monthly | Y2Y | | 0.30 ct | -0.51% | -2.01% | 4.70% | | 0.50 ct | -0.32% | -1.51% | 15.14% | | 1.00 ct | 0.08% | 0.76% | 16.06% | | 3.00 ct | 0.64% | 1.03% | 4.47% |  | | The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) is the average asking price in hundred $/ct. of the 10 percent best priced diamonds, for each of the top 25 quality round diamonds (D-H, IF-VS2, GIA-graded, RapSpec-A3 and better) offered for sale on RapNet - Rapaport Diamond Trading Network. | | | | Market Reports | | |  | United States: Consumer spending getting boost from stimulus checks, tax refunds, and return to stores after vaccine rollout... |  |  | Belgium: Suppliers to US and China optimistic, but Europe weak as lockdowns keep many jewelers closed... | | |  | Israel: Solid interest in 1 to 2 ct. diamonds... | | |  | India: Surat manufacturing still going despite rise in Covid-19 cases... | | |  | Hong Kong: Sentiment improving amid city’s plans to relax travel restrictions and potentially reopen China border crossing... | | |  | | | Diamantaires Emerge from Crisis with Credit |  | | WITH Avi Krawitz | The diamond trade reduced its reliance on credit during Covid-19 and has adopted better compliance, governance and transparency standards in recent years. That should position the midstream well as the recovery takes shape. The Rapaport Research Report assesses the vast improvements in the relationship between diamantaires and their lenders. |  | | | WEEKLY NEWS | | retail | | | | Signet Raises Outlook After Strong Start to 2021 | | Retailer expects first-quarter growth of up to 88%. |  | | | Tiffany Propels LVMH Jewelry Sales | | First-quarter revenue for category rises 138% year on year and increases 1% from 2019. | | | | | US Jewelry Sales Skyrocket in March | | Figure up 106% year on year, Mastercard SpendingPulse reports. | | | | | Pandora Revenue Rises in First Quarter | | Sales increase 13% despite temporary closure of more than one-third of stores. | | | | | industry | | | | Mumbai Diamond Trade Exempt from Lockdown | | Bourse reopens after state government allows import and export activities to continue. | | | | | US Bans Major Myanmar Gem Company | | State-owned mining and marketing entity joins government blacklist. | | | | | Colored-Diamond Trio Fetches $8M at Christie’s | | Perfect Palette steals show at New York Magnificent Jewels auction. | | | | | Manufacturers Use Green Glass to Mimic Tourmaline | | Two shards imitating expensive Paraiba variety turn up at GIA’s Carlsbad lab. | | | | | mining | | | | Alrosa Sales Surge in March | | Manufacturers continue to restock amid strong demand in US and China. | | | | | Zimbabwe’s Murowa Mine Sees Output Fall | | Production drops 15% due to extraction of lower-grade ore. | | | | | general | | | | US Polished Imports Return to Downward Trend | | Shipments fall 7% in February after stabilizing in January. | | | | | Gemological Science International Opens in Jaipur | | New location will tap into Indian city’s heritage as center for colored stones. | | | | | Gemfields Holds First Ruby Sale Since 2019 | | Mozambique mine resumes operations after hiatus of almost a year. | | | | | | FINANCE | | Diamond Industry Stock Report | | | | Retail stocks rose as the global economy continued to reopen. Chow Sang Sang (+9%), Kering (+5%), LVMH (+4%) and Macy’s (+4%) all gained. Signet (+13%) climbed after increasing its sales forecast. Miners had a good week overall, with Gem Diamonds (+7%), Lucara (+3%), Lucapa (+2%) and De Beers owner Anglo American (+2%) all up. Mountain Province (-9%) was the exception after a temporary shutdown of its mine dented production. | | | | | Contact Us |  |       | | © Copyright 2021 Martin Rapaport. All Rights Reserved. | | Rapaport®, TradeWire®, RapNet®, Index® and JNS® Jewelry News Service are registered trademarks. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|