|
|
Rapaport TradeWire February 14, 2019
Feb 14, 2019 9:46 AM
By Rapaport
|
|
|
| February 14, 2019 | | RAPAPORT MARKET COMMENT |  | | Polished market improving, with suppliers selling at lower prices to generate liquidity. Rough trading cautious as high rough prices and weak polished continue to squeeze midstream profits. Shortages of top-make goods due to reduced manufacturing, but large inventory of leftover lower-quality diamonds. Chinese government reports retail sales +9% during 7-day Lunar New Year holiday. High-end luxury robust as Boucheron owner Kering sees strong growth in US and Asia. NRF expects jewelry to top list of Valentine’s Day gifts. Alrosa Jan. sales -44% to $282M. Belgium Jan. polished exports -4% to $777M, rough imports -33% to $727M. Rapaport announces Trade Mission to Surat April 8-11. | | | RAPNET DIAMOND INDEX (RAPI™) | | | | Weekly | Monthly | Y2Y | | 0.30 ct | -0.42% | -1.24% | -8.10% | | 0.50 ct | -0.55% | -0.60% | -1.74% | | 1.00 ct | -0.23% | -0.32% | -2.59% | | 3.00 ct | -0.35% | -1.56% | -5.94% |  | | 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: Buyers are looking for deals and are able to push suppliers’ prices lower... |  |  | Belgium: Rough trading cautious, with De Beers and Alrosa products selling at lower premiums on the secondary market... | | |  | Israel: Dealers concentrating on the US while Far East returns from Chinese New Year break... | | |  | India: Little buzz around IIJS Signature fair, but steady gold jewelry market for wedding season... | | |  | Hong Kong: Activity expected to pick up in next two weeks ahead of Hong Kong show, which starts Feb. 28... | | |  | | | Rapaport Trade Mission to Surat, India |  | | Monday, April 8, through Thursday, April 11 | Surat is home to an estimated 500,000 diamond cutters, who manufacture over 90% of the world’s polished diamonds. This visit is an opportunity to gain a unique insight into the supply chain. |  | | | WEEKLY NEWS | | retail | | | | Engagement-Ring Demand Fell in 2018 – Poll | | Couples spending less on nuptials overall, says The Wedding Report. |  | | | Jewelry to Top Valentine’s Day Purchasing | | National Retail Federation expects revenues to hit $3.9 billion for the category. | | | | | Helzberg Diamonds Launches Synthetics Line | | Items range from $400 to $9,000, according to website. | | | | | Asian Demand Drives Kering Jewelry Growth | | Boucheron owner sees 7% revenue increase for the division in 2018. | | | | | industry | | | | IGDA: Lab-Grown Diamonds Poised for Upswing | | Category is making headway in bridal segment, association says. | | | | | GIA Spots CVD Stone in Parcel of Treated Melee | | Institute rarely finds irradiated synthetics of this type and size. | | | | | Gübelin Testing Nano-Tracking for Diamonds | | Swiss lab studying ways of broadening its Emerald Paternity Test. | | | | | HRD Grades First Lab-Grown All-Diamond Ring | | Dutch company’s “Project D” piece weighs 3.87 carats. | | | | | mining | | | | January Slowdown Hits Alrosa Sales | | Market activity lower than usual, company says. | | | | | Zimbabwe Plans Production Hike in 2019 | | State-owned miner expects 46% rise in rough output to 4.1 million carats. | | | | | Firestone Recovers 70ct. Rough | | Diamond will be on offer at tender next month. | | | | | general | | | | Alrosa Showcases ‘Record-Breaking’ Pink | | Polished stone is “largest of its color in Russian history” at 14.83 carats. | | | | | UK Gemological Center Expands to US Market | | Gem-A partners with Jewelry Television to offer educational courses. | | | | | WFDB Signs Deal with Korea Bourse | | Trade body will help promote nation’s diamond industry. | | | | | US Polished Imports Slowed in November | | Shipments down 4% for the month. | | | | | Gübelin Gemstone Blockchain Goes Live | | Tool offers traceability through entire supply chain, Swiss lab says. | | | | | | FINANCE | | Diamond Industry Stock Report | | | | Far East retail stocks increased following reports the US may allow more time to negotiate a trade deal with China. Chow Sang Sang (+8%), Chow Tai Fook (+4.7%) and Luk Fook (+2.8%) all rose. Shares in Kering (+9%) gained value off the back of positive annual results, with European peers Richemont (+5%) and LVMH (+3.9%) following suit. Firestone Diamonds (+11%) received a boost after recovering a 70-carat diamond. Other mining stocks faltered, with declines at Mountain Province (-6%), Petra Diamonds (-4.7%) and Alrosa (-2.9%). | | | | | Contact Us |  |       | | © Copyright 2019 Martin Rapaport. All Rights Reserved. | | Rapaport®, TradeWire®, RapNet®, Index® and JNS® Jewelry News Service are registered trademarks. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|