RAPAPORT... Polished-diamond imports to the US rose 1% to $5.29 billion
in the first quarter, according to government data.
By volume, polished imports slid 7% to 2.3 million carats,
while the average price of imports climbed 8% to $2,320 per carat.
Polished exports, meanwhile, jumped 10% to $5.05 billion,
causing net polished imports — the excess of imports over exports — to slide
63% to $247 million.
Rough exports grew 8% to $143 million, while rough imports
dropped 6% to $194 million, meaning net rough imports slumped 30% to $50
million.
The US net diamond account — total rough and polished
imports minus total exports — plunged 59% to $298 million for the three months.
In January, polished imports increased 3% to $1.81 billion,
while in February, they rose 1% to $1.5 billion. Polished imports were flat in
March at $1.98 billion.
Image: Gemsparkdiamonds
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