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Antwerp
Polished
• Everything is generally slow. People are waiting for the results of the Hong Kong show.
• 3-caraters-up, across the board, in all shapes are strong.
• 2-caraters are slow and there is more stock on the market in general.
• 4-grainers: SI to piqués are doing well and VVS is doing very well.
• 90 points are strong across the board.
• 50 to 70 points: VVS/VS are strong; SI is slow and piqués are doing okay.
• 20 to 40 points: everything is average except for 30 points, which are a little slow.
• 3 to 7 points are holding strong.
• 10-per-carat are slow.
• 6-per-carat are doing well.
China• Best moving items are:
10-per-carat: good make, VS1+/H-I, are selling at approximately $650 to $680. 6-per carat: good make, VS2+/H-I, are selling at approximately $840 to $880.
• The market also accepts:
10-per-carat: good make, VS1+/I-J, are selling at approximately $600 to $630.
6-per-carat: good make, VS2+/I-J, are selling at approximately $780 to $830.
• 1/10 to 1/6, TTLB/SI are also moving.
• Supply of 1-carat goods has increased recently.
Hong Kong
• Large sizes are selling well. Goods for the Indian market are very hot, with mostly H-M colors in VVS clarity in sizes from 1 carat to more than 10-caraters.
• Carat sizes in H-K colors in VVS clarity are in very good demand, in both good and off-makes.
• Fancy cuts are in good demand. Emerald cuts and pear shapes in lower colors are avidly sought.
• Pointers are weak in demand and prices are
also weakening.
India
• Overall trading activity improved in September. The local market is optimistic for pre-Diwali
sales. Melee goods were selling extremely well
in September.
• Goods below 0.50 carats in lower piqué categories are moving extremely well in the following price range:
below 0.18 carats from $150 down
1/5 from $375 down
1/4 below $450
1/3 and 3/8 below $350.
•Good demand for white and brown stars and
melee goods:
whites from $250+
browns from $100 to $150.
• Activity is very good in I2/J+ goods under 0.90 carats.
• 0.70 to 0.99 carats are still very hot, mainly for SI1+/J+.
• 1 carat+ goods are easily available across the board but premium sizes for better colors and clarity I+/VS+ are hard to find.
• 2 carats are quite slow overall with prices stable and goods easily available.
• More 3 carats were seen in the market in September, but goods above 5 carats — especially VS+/I+ — are almost impossible to find locally.
• Demand is very good for marquise, princess, ovals and pears in SI+/I+ all the way to 1.50 carats.
Israel
• Market activity is slow.
• Demand is steady for fancy colors 2 to 10 carats, VS.
• Demand is strong for deep pink, blue and red.
• Prices are strong for rough and polished fancy colors, excluding browns.
• Demand is strong for fancy yellows, pinks and blues in 40 points+ and there are shortages.
• Greens and reds are extremely hard to source.
• Demand is solid for radiants, pears, rounds, cushions and emeralds in all sizes.
• Demand is weak for hearts and marquises in fancy colors.
• Demand is steady for Asschers and ovals in
fancy colors.
Japan• Brown diamond sales stall.
• Yellow fancy shapes up to 2 carats are moving well.
• Pinks are expensive. Privates are paying top prices, making it harder for dealers to buy.
• White stones are soft across the board, except
4/4 grainers in VVS1/D. Market is rejecting recent price run-ups.
• 2/4 and 3/4 are strong. 1/3 and 1/5 are a bit weak, due to supply and demand discrepancies.
• Larger than 3 carat, high color, high quality continue to be strong.
Russia• Hopes are high for seasonal activity.
• Producers expect better performance in the fall.
• Market is quite selective.
• Nobody is buying for stock.
• Prices are increasing for very small — under 0.10 carat — and larger — over 1 carat — cut goods; prices decreasing for medium sizes.
U.S. Retail• Colored diamonds are still a small piece of the business.
• Yellow appears to be the most popular colored diamond.
• Pink is popular as accent stones.
• Mature market goes for large yellows.
• Younger brides like colored accents.
U.S. Wholesale• Trading activity picks up slightly.
• Polished prices are moderate.
• Rough prices remain mixed.
• Smaller goods see more demand.
• 4 carats and up are in short supply.
• Fancies enjoy healthy activity.
• Princesses and Asschers are very strong.
• Pears and ovals are doing very well.
• Hearts and marquises keep improving.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - October 2006. To subscribe click here.