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Diamond Prices Firm as India Supply Drops
1 ct. RAPI +2.5% in April
May 4, 2021 5:06 AM
By Rapaport
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RAPAPORT PRESS RELEASE, May 4, 2021, Las Vegas… Diamond markets were mixed in April. A robust recovery in the US and China drove optimism, but sentiment weakened due to the spike in Covid-19 cases in India. Surat-based manufacturers reduced capacity as infection rates rose. Grading labs experienced a backlog because of operating restrictions.
Lower inventory levels supported polished prices. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds increased 2.5% during April and was up 4.2% from January 1.
| RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) |
|
April |
Year to date
Jan. 1 to May. 1 |
Year on year
May 1, 2020, to May 1 2021 |
| RAPI 0.30 ct. |
0.1% |
-0.3% |
6.2% |
| RAPI 0.50 ct. |
-0.2% |
-2.5% |
15.6% |
| RAPI 1 ct. |
2.5% |
4.2% |
18.3% |
| RAPI 3 ct. |
2.5% |
2.9% |
9.9% |
© Copyright 2021, Rapaport USA Inc.
Diamond manufacturing in India fell an estimated 30% to 40% following the second coronavirus wave in mid-March. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) extended its grading time to over a month at its Mumbai and Surat labs.
The number of 1-carat, D to H, IF to VS2 diamonds on RapNet has fallen 7% since March 1. The volume of goods in that category is still 36% higher than at the beginning of the year, signaling that there is sufficient supply to satisfy short-term demand. Polished inventory rose after a strong period of rough buying between November and March. India’s rough imports grew 44% year on year to $4.12 billion during the first quarter but declined in April due to the lockdowns, according to estimates.
Supply volatility is likely in the short term and may impact polished-diamond prices. More goods will become available once the GIA reduces its backlog, but fewer goods will be entering the market afterward due to the current drop in manufacturing.
That should bolster prices when demand picks up for the holiday season. The outlook for retail is positive. US jewelers are seeing strong sales amid successful vaccination programs. Companies with strong multi-channel strategies can capitalize on continued e-commerce momentum as well as consumers’ desire to get out and shop in stores again.
For in-depth diamond price, supply and demand data and analysis, subscribe to the Rapaport Research Report here.
Rapaport Media Contacts: media@diamonds.net
US: Sherri Hendricks +1-702-893-9400
International: Alex Shine +1-718-878-5138
Mumbai: Prashant Bhojani +91-97694-66855
About the Rapaport Research Report: The Rapaport Research Report provides subscribers with in-depth analysis of key themes affecting the diamond market. It also presents exclusive analytics for diamond prices in a variety of categories, based on sales and inventory data from RapNet®.
About the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™): The RAPI is the average asking price in hundred $/ct. of the 10% 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® (www.rapnet.com). Additional information is available at www.diamonds.net.
About the Rapaport Group: The Rapaport Group is an international network of companies providing added-value services that support the development of ethical, transparent, competitive and efficient diamond and jewelry markets. Established in 1976, the group has more than 20,000 clients in over 121 countries. Group activities include Rapaport Information Services, providing the Rapaport benchmark Price List for diamonds, as well as research, analysis and news; RapNet, the world’s largest diamond trading network; Rapaport Laboratory Services, providing Rapaport gemological services in India, Israel and New York; and Rapaport Trading and Auction Services, the world’s largest recycler of diamonds, selling over 400,000 carats of diamonds a year. Additional information is available at www.diamonds.net.
Image: Polished diamonds. (Shutterstock)
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Tags:
Alrosa, De Beers, Diamond prices, diamonds, India, jewellery, Jewelry, Rapaport, RAPI, RapNet
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