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Antwerp
• Premiums keep increasing for 10 carat up in round and fancy shapes, starting now at Rap + 30.
• Demand is steady for VS2+ and K+ in very small to
90 points.
• SI2 is down and worsening across the board, due to U.S. market weakness. Decline is somewhat offset by sales in China and India.
• There is lots of speculation on Russian boxes with reports that prices reached for tenders are excessive. Explanation is that some buyers are desperate to enter ALROSA at any cost.
ChinaThe majority of goods selling in the market:
• 10-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $620 to $660.
• 6-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $830 to $870.
• 4-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $1,040 to $1,080.
• 3-per-carat, good make, VS+/H-I, are selling at approximately $1,400 to $1,500.
The market also accepts:
• 10-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $550 to $580.
• 6-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $780 to $830.
• 4-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $900 to $950.
• 3-per-carat, good make, VS+/I-J, selling at approximately $1,250 to $1,350.
• -1 point, SI/G-H, selling at approximately $150 to $225.
• -2 points, SI/G-H, selling at approximately $225 to $280.
• 3 to 7 points, SI/G-H, selling at approximately $290 to $400.
• 10 points, SI/G-H, selling at approximately $350 to $450.
• 15 points, SI/G-H, selling at approximately $500 to $600.
• Demand has increased for 40 points in G-I, VS1-VVS, in very good or excellent make.
Hong Kong• Stones larger than 3 carats, especially 5 carats, are moving well.
• 1-carat sizes in medium to lower ranges are still moving. Demand is strong for H-J/VVS goods.
A range of makes is acceptable, depending on discounts.
• Dossiers 50 points and larger are moving well; 80 pointers are avidly sought but supply is scarce.
• Indian small sizes are moving steadily. Indian melees also are showing increasing demand. Small fancies are moving well.
India
• Activity improved slightly in the second half of May for local trading whereas exports are doing much
better. The weak and unstable dollar continues to affect polished trading negatively.
• Movement is slow overall in -2 except for VS/I+.
• Movement is average but prices are soft by 2 to
3 percent in the stars category.
• Movement is better in melee goods in SI+/I+.
• Movement is good in 0.08 to 0.18 carats in the $400 to $450 range.
• Movement is stable in 1/5 in SI1+/ I+.
• Movement was slow in May for 1/4 to 1/3.
• Movement is good in 1/2 in VVS-VS/H+.
• Movement is average in 0.70 to 0.80 in I1-I2 and good in VVS-VS/ H+.
• Demand is good for 0.80 to 0.99 in VS1+/ I+ and shortages still persist.
• 1 carat is in better demand in I1-I2/ I+. Collection goods are still in good demand and there is some movement in lower colors J-L.
• 2 carats are moving slowly except for goods in VVS+/D – F.
• 3 carats are in good demand for VS+/I+ and discount is reduced by 2 to 3 percent.
Israel
• The market is steady, with round prices holding stable up to 0.50 carats.
• Prices are rising for big sizes, including 2 carats and up, as well as better goods in H+ through VS.
• 1 through 1.5 carats are selling at higher prices and even lower-quality VG, G and fair goods are hot.
• Demand for princesses is weak with prices falling for goods under 0.80 carats.
• Demand is slow for pears smaller than 3 carats.
Japan
• Bridal markets continue to be weak.
• Brokers and small dealers are having difficulty finding stones, while dealers with inventories are doing well.
• Foreign buyers are active in the domestic market.
• Dealers have started worrying about next year, as stone supplies are drying up in the markets.
• Prices of capes and fancy shapes are attractive
compared to round brilliants, but demand is weak.
• Smalls are expensive as micropavé settings are gaining popularity. Hong Kong buyers are paying top prices.
Russia• The maximum future capacity of the Russian online market for loose goods is estimated at $5 million a year.
• Kristall Smolensk has sold almost $300,000 of loose diamonds online since November 2006.
• Russia’s Gokhran is planning to sell $591 million in precious stones and metals in 2007 and buy $437 million worth.
U.S. Retail
• Multidiamond settings continue to build.
• Younger consumers “discover” marquise cuts.
• Consumers opt for colored diamonds.
• White gold resonates with younger customers.
• Spring and early summer are busy.
U.S. Wholesale
• SI1s and SI2s are selling well online.
• Demand for 3-, 4-, and 5-caraters is outpacing smaller stones.
• Some merchants report VVS and triple EX stones moving relatively quickly. • Supply is not keeping up with demand for VVS and triple EX stones over the past year.
• Off-sizes are selling well for stones in the $500 to $1,000 per carat range.• 3-caraters and up are hot.
• Stones below 1 carat are better.
• Fancies are stable across the board.
• 2- to 3-carat fancies are weaker.
• Princesses continue to get calls.
• Cushions are healthy.
• Asschers, emeralds and radiants are even.
• Pears and ovals continue to grow.
• Hearts and marquises are typically sluggish.
• Fancy colors remain in demand.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - June 2007. To subscribe click here.