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RAPAPORT... U.S. polished diamond imports jumped 12.6 percent year on year to $1.887 billion in January, the highest value to be achieved for that month to date. The average price per carat for imported polished goods rose 12.8 percent to $1,857. Polished diamond exports fell 11.8 percent to $1.335 billion, leaving net imports of $552 million compared with $164 million one year earlier. Rough diamond imports surged 35.9 percent to $53 million in January, while rough exports jumped 128 percent to $57 million, a new high for the month. Net rough imports recorded a deficit of $4 million, down from a surplus of $13 million one year earlier. The net diamond account for January, reflecting the difference between net imports and exports, rose to $548 million compared with $177 million one year ago.
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