|
|
Polished Diamond Prices Fall in October
Liquidity Remains a Challenge for Mid-Stream Diamond Market
Nov 4, 2014 10:00 AM
By Rapaport
|
|
|
RAPAPORT... PRESS RELEASE, November 4, 2014, New York ... Polished diamond prices continued to decline in October as suppliers sought to increase turnover and raise liquidity levels. Trading slowed during the Jewish holiday and subsequent Diwali festival period in India, while global demand remained weak. Buyers avoided making large scale purchases in a downward trending marketplace as they expected prices to soften further.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat laboratory-graded diamonds declined by 2.2 percent in October. RAPI for 0.30-carat diamonds fell 3.7 percent and RAPI for 0.50-carat diamonds dropped 2.1 percent. RAPI for 3-carat diamonds decreased by 1.5 percent during the month.
Copyright © by Martin Rapaport
According to the Rapaport Monthly Report – November 2014 “Weak Markets,” liquidity among manufacturers and dealers is being affected by weak polished demand, reduced bank credit and increased supply. Polished inventory levels rose during the lull in trading experienced during the third quarter and due to improved turnover at the laboratories. Manufacturers also raised their factory output before the Diwali break.
Rough trading slowed in October as manufacturers now have sufficient inventory for the fourth quarter holiday season. Rough prices softened on the secondary market and trading is expected to remain subdued for the rest of the year. De Beers prices remained basically stable, but weak rough demand should influence further softening of market prices in the coming months. Manufacturers are hoping that polished prices will firm during the holiday season to enable improved profit margins and liquidity levels.
Diamond demand was cautious during China’s October 1 National Day Golden Week and India’s Diwali season, while U.S. demand is stable. Therefore, expectations for the holiday season are mixed as the focus of the trade has shifted from the Far East to the U.S. General U.S. retail sales were sluggish in October, although consumer confidence rose. Jewelry sales are projected to rise by low single-digit margins compared to the 2013 Christmas season.
It is unclear whether modest holiday season sales growth will be enough to alleviate liquidity concerns among manufacturers and dealers going into 2015.
Read the attached Rapaport Monthly Report, "Weak Markets," at www.diamonds.net/report or email: specialreports@diamonds.net.
Rapaport Media Contacts: media@diamonds.net
U.S.: Sherri Hendricks +1-702-893-9400;
International: Lisa Miller +1-718-521-4976;
Mumbai: Manisha Mehta +91-97699-30065
About the Rapaport RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™): The RAPI is based on the average asking price in hundred $/ct. for the top 25 quality 1 ct. round diamonds (D-H, IF-VS2, RapSpec-2 and better) with GIA grading reports offered for sale on RapNet – Rapaport Diamond Trading Network. The RAPI is provided for various sizes. www.RAPNET.com has daily listings of over 1.35 million diamonds valued over $7.89 billion and 13,778 members in 86 countries.
About the Rapaport Group: The Rapaport Group is an international network of companies providing added value services that support the development of fair, transparent, efficient, and competitive diamond and jewelry markets. Established in 1978, the Rapaport Magazine is the primary source of diamond price and market information. Group activities include Rapaport Information Services providing research, analysis and news; RapNet – the world's largest diamond trading network; Rapaport Laboratory Services provides GIA gemological services in India, Belgium and Israel; and Rapaport Trading and Auction Services specializing in recycled diamonds and jewelry. The Group supports over 20,000 clients in 118 countries and employs 200 people with offices in New York, Las Vegas, Antwerp, Ramat Gan, Mumbai, Surat, Dubai and Hong Kong. Additional information is available at www.Diamonds.net.
Martin Rapaport (Publisher) grants limited permission to use copyrighted data appearing in this press release in and in conjunction with journalistic copy, reporting or articles concerning diamond pricing and information in graph or data presentation format only. The following credit notice must appear alongside, underneath, or in close proximity to any use of the copyrighted data: “Used with permission of Rapaport USA, Inc. Copyright © Martin Rapaport. All rights reserved.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tags:
De Beers, diamonds, Jewelry, Martin Rapaport, Rapaport, RAPI, RapNet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|