Happy New Year! Industry enters 2026 with last year’s concerns and dynamics continuing. Tariffs, synthetics, gold prices, sale of De Beers, and Russia sanctions causing uncertainty. Diamond market set to downsize as demand becomes more focused. Round, 1.20 ct. and larger diamonds steady; long fancy shapes strong. RAPI for 1 ct. -2.3% in Dec., 3 ct. +0.3%, with downturn in smalls intensifying: 0.30 ct. -9.3%, 0.50 ct. -6.4%, mostly reflecting Indian declines. Trading centers quiet during vacation period. US wholesalers waiting for holiday memo results. Titan’s synthetics launch adds to nerves about Indian domestic market ahead of Mumbai IIJS Signature show (Jan. 8-12).
|
