The global diamond centers are back to work, or better described - back in the office. Trading levels right after the summer slumber are slow, yet traders are largely optimistic, expecting business to start pickup in the near future. To that end, the first signs of business are seen in New York, and this should quickly spark activity in the other global centers.

 

U.S.

While trading activities are resuming, the market is just preparing for the upcoming September season before the Labor Day weekend. Orders are coming in for medium to better sized quality goods, and retailers and wholesalers are reporting upcoming inquiries and orders.

 

For upcoming orders, the trend is generally focused on smaller sizes, as well as H colors and up to SI clarities in .75-1.00 and carat sizes.

 

Shortages are noted for medium sized goods across rounds and Fancy’s, with an emphasis on ½ sizes, and full carat sizes in D-J colors.

 

Orders coming in and the trickling demands are mostly for H-J colors in better VVS colors.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, slow

 

 0.10-0.75 cts, D-J / SI+, selling

 

 1/5-3/4, D-J / I1-2, slow

 

 1/4-3/4, D-J / SI+, selling

 

 0.90-1.50 cts, D-J / SI+, selling

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, D-M / pique, slow

 

 2.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI1-2, slow

 

 2.00-3.00 cts, D-M / VS+, slow

 

 3.00-4.00 cts, D-K / SI+, slow

 

 

Fancy Cuts

 Fancy cuts, 1/5-3/4, D-J / SI3-I1, selling

 

 Fancy cuts, 1/5-3/4, D-J / SI+, selling

 

 Fancy cuts, 1.00-3.00 cts, D-J / I1, slow

 

 Marquises, Ovals and Pears, 1.00-3.00 cts, white / SI+, slow

 

 

Antwerp

Fresh back from the summer vacations, traders are ready to do business, but see very little of it. The expectations for renewed trading are yet to prove themselves, however traders are very optimistic about the near term future.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, slow

 

 1/5, D-J / VS+, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/4, white / pique, slow

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, F-K / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-2.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, slow

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, F-J / SI1+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

 4.00+ cts, F-L / VS+, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 1.00-5.00 cts, D-K / SI+, slow

 

 Marquises, Radiants, Ovals, and Hearts, 1.00-4.00 cts, G-K / SI+, slow

 

 Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/6, D-I / SI+, slow

 

 

Ramat Gan

Even though the summer vacation is officially over, the Israeli diamond market is still seeing very limited movement of goods. The number of visiting buyers is small and brokers are offered such low prices for the polished that they don’t even pass the offers to the owners.

 

With the Jewish new year just a week away, and more holidays to follow quickly afterwards, trading levels are not expected to return to normal levels before the first week of October.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / pique, slow

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / VS+, slow

 

 1/5, G-K / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 0.25-0.75 cts, white / pique, slow

 

 0.25-0.90 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

 0.70-0.90 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, slow

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, white / pique, including goods for treatment, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, G-K / SI+, good makes, mediocre demand with strong pressure on the prices

 

 4.00-8.00 cts, G-L / VS+, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses, Pears, Emeralds, Radiants, Asschers and Cushions, 1.00-5.00 cts, G-L / SI+, slow

 

 Marquises, Hearts and Ovals, 1.00-4.00 cts, G-J / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 All fancy cuts, 1.00-2.00 cts, fancy colors, mediocre demand

 

 

 

Mumbai

Slow trading levels due to very high asking prices are reported in the Mumbai diamond market this week. Overseas buyers complained of firm price stances by diamond offices. Continuing the trend witnessed at the IIJS trade fair, local demand by retailers is mostly for jewelry, and a lot less for loose diamonds.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, F-J / SI+, mediocre demand

 

 1/5, H-J / VS, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/8, white / pique, selling

 

 1/4-3/4, D-J / SI+, good makes, selling

 

 1/2-3/4, white / pique, including goods for treatment, good demand

 

 0.80-0.90 cts, F-J / VVS, mediocre demand

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, D-K / SI to pique, mediocre demand, mainly by the overseas buyers

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-K / SI1+, good makes, mediocre demand

 

 4.00+ cts, H-M / VS+, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 Emeralds and Stabbes (wide baguettes), 0.25-1.00 cts, D-J / VS+, slow

 

 Marquises and Hearts, 0.25-3.00 cts, F-J / VS+, slow

 

 Princesses, Pears and Emeralds, 2.00-5.00 cts, I-L / VS, slow

 

 

Hong Kong

Diamond wholesalers in Hong Kong keep expressing frustration over the low trading levels, describing the situation as mediocre movement. They add that it has been awhile since they made ‘real’ money, pointing out that the pressure on prices is continuing to build up.

 

Rounds

 0.005-0.15 cts, white / SI2 to pique, selling

 

 0.005-0.15 cts, D-J / SI1+, good makes, slow

 

 1/5, G-J / VS+, slow

 

 1/4-3/4, white / pique, mediocre demand

 

 1/4-3/4, H-J / SI+, slow

 

 1.00-5.00 cts, D-J / pique, slow

 

 1.00-3.00 cts, H-M / VVS-SI, mediocre demand

 

 4.00+ cts, H-L / SI+, slow

 

Fancy Cuts

 Princesses and Emeralds, 1/10-1/3, H-K / SI+, slow

 

 Princesses, Pears, Emeralds, Marquises, Ovals and Hearts, 1.00-5.00 cts, H-K / SI+, slow

 

 Tapers and Baguettes, 1/10-1/2, H-J / VS+, slow