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Retail Recovery Driving Up Diamond Prices
Rapaport Spotlights Social Responsibility
Aug 3, 2021 5:00 AM
By Rapaport
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RAPAPORT PRESS RELEASE, August 3, 2021, Las Vegas… Diamond market sentiment was upbeat in July despite a seasonal slowdown and high rough prices. Robust retail sales and supply shortages supported prices for polished.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds rose 3.1% during the month.
| RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) |
|
July |
Year to date
Jan. 1 to Aug. 1 |
Year on year
Aug. 1, 2020, to Aug. 1, 2021 |
| RAPI 0.30 ct. |
0.7% |
1.8% |
6.7% |
| RAPI 0.50 ct. |
1.6% |
1.7% |
13.0% |
| RAPI 1 ct. |
3.1% |
11.2% |
21.9% |
| RAPI 3 ct. |
0.0% |
6.6% |
17.9% |
© Copyright 2021, Rapaport USA Inc.
Manufacturing profit margins came under pressure as De Beers and Alrosa raised prices an estimated average of 5% to 7% at their respective July sales. Rough valuations have increased an estimated 20% in 2021; 1-carat polished has gone up only 11.2%.
Demand for rough remained strong. Clients requested more goods from Alrosa, prompting the miner to buy from Russia’s Gokhran state depository to fill inventory gaps. Shortages were evident as miners depleted inventories and as Covid-19 outbreaks disrupted operations. Global production volume fell 23% to 107.1 million carats in 2020, according to Kimberley Process data. Rapaport expects output to decline a further 4% in 2021.
While rough production is at historic lows, retail sales and polished orders have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Dealers are seeking opportunities and gaining the confidence to buy at higher prices.
The retail recovery in the US and China is driving demand. Signet Jewelers, Chow Tai Fook, and the brands owned by Richemont Group and LVMH recorded strong growth in the first half of the year compared to both 2020 and 2019.
Brands are increasingly emphasizing environmental, sustainability and corporate governance (ESG) programs in their marketing and public relations efforts. Rapaport will explore the theme of “Social Responsibility” in the August issue of Rapaport Magazine ahead of the Rapaport Conference on the topic at JCK Las Vegas. The conference takes place Sunday, August 29, 2021. Register here.
“The way forward is to encourage, promote and reward good behavior and good products. This requires differentiating, labeling and certifying good products. We must transcend altruism and create a market where it pays for businesses to be good,” said Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group.
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: Diamond engagement rings. (Shutterstock)
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Tags:
Alrosa, Chow Tai Fook, De Beers, diamonds, jewellery, Jewelry, LVMH, Rapaport, Richemont, Signet Jewelers
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