The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
January 8, 2026
News:
Dealers returning from vacation. US wholesalers with sought-after inventory (1.50 ct.+ or long fancies) had good season. Independents shifting to natural. Market awaiting holiday results and analyzing 2025 performance to prepare for new year. 1 ct. RAPI -9.9% in 2025. US Nov.-Dec. online retail sales +6.8% YOY to $258B, Adobe reports. Low expectations for Mumbai IIJS Signature show amid lull in domestic jewelry demand. Chinese New Year season likely to be quiet. Hong Kong Nov. retail sales of jewelry, watches, clocks and valuable gifts +3.6% YOY to $596M. Botswana willing to cooperate with Russia on diamonds. Gold at record price amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Fancies:
Long fancy shapes such as Oval, Marquise and Emerald doing better than rounds in 2 ct. and larger. High-quality Marquises, long Radiants and long Cushions in short supply. Marquises most expensive fancy shapes. Long Cushions easy to sell and trading at 20% to 25% premium over square ones. Solid US market for elongated Ovals of good shape and quality in D-I, VS-SI categories. Indian prices for 0.30 to 0.79 ct. Ovals and Pears softening, except for ideal long models. Princess cuts weak. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Fancies with bad proportions illiquid.
Country Comments
United States
Markets slowly returning after holiday break. Retailers satisfied with festive sales. Dealers awaiting memo results. Independent jewelers going back to natural following drop in synthetics prices. Some consumers showing preference for natural, as large lab-grown stones appear inauthentic.
Belgium
Bourses quiet as markets gradually reopen. Good reports about European sales over holiday season. Large stones moving well, as are high colors. Long ovals and marquise diamonds in demand. Items under 1 ct. slow.
Israel
Activity low. Dealers waiting for final holiday results and only buying hot categories, such as large diamonds and long fancies. Industry still hoping for news on US-Israel trade agreement.
India
Slight pickup in trading following holidays. Buyers only purchasing for specific orders. Sought-after goods in short supply. Titan Company reports 41% year-on-year rise in jewelry sales for three months that ended December 31.
Hong Kong
Market trends steady, with 1.70 to 3 ct. oval, emerald and marquise shapes in F-I, VS-SI qualities selling well. Diamonds under 1 ct. weak. Positive trading in fancy pinks. Mainland China slow, with synthetics gaining popularity.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
January 8, 2026
News:
Dealers returning from vacation. US wholesalers with sought-after inventory (1.50 ct.+ or long fancies) had good season. Independents shifting to natural. Market awaiting holiday results and analyzing 2025 performance to prepare for new year. 1 ct. RAPI -9.9% in 2025. US Nov.-Dec. online retail sales +6.8% YOY to $258B, Adobe reports. Low expectations for Mumbai IIJS Signature show amid lull in domestic jewelry demand. Chinese New Year season likely to be quiet. Hong Kong Nov. retail sales of jewelry, watches, clocks and valuable gifts +3.6% YOY to $596M. Botswana willing to cooperate with Russia on diamonds. Gold at record price amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Fancies:
Long fancy shapes such as Oval, Marquise and Emerald doing better than rounds in 2 ct. and larger. High-quality Marquises, long Radiants and long Cushions in short supply. Marquises most expensive fancy shapes. Long Cushions easy to sell and trading at 20% to 25% premium over square ones. Solid US market for elongated Ovals of good shape and quality in D-I, VS-SI categories. Indian prices for 0.30 to 0.79 ct. Ovals and Pears softening, except for ideal long models. Princess cuts weak. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Fancies with bad proportions illiquid.
Country Comments
Markets slowly returning after holiday break. Retailers satisfied with festive sales. Dealers awaiting memo results. Independent jewelers going back to natural following drop in synthetics prices. Some consumers showing preference for natural, as large lab-grown stones appear inauthentic.
Bourses quiet as markets gradually reopen. Good reports about European sales over holiday season. Large stones moving well, as are high colors. Long ovals and marquise diamonds in demand. Items under 1 ct. slow.
Activity low. Dealers waiting for final holiday results and only buying hot categories, such as large diamonds and long fancies. Industry still hoping for news on US-Israel trade agreement.
Slight pickup in trading following holidays. Buyers only purchasing for specific orders. Sought-after goods in short supply. Titan Company reports 41% year-on-year rise in jewelry sales for three months that ended December 31.
Market trends steady, with 1.70 to 3 ct. oval, emerald and marquise shapes in F-I, VS-SI qualities selling well. Diamonds under 1 ct. weak. Positive trading in fancy pinks. Mainland China slow, with synthetics gaining popularity.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: May 28, 2026
Market Comment: May 20, 2026
Market Comment: May 14, 2026
Market Comment: May 7, 2026
Market Comment: April 30, 2026
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Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: May 28, 2026
Market Comment: May 20, 2026
Market Comment: May 14, 2026
Market Comment: May 7, 2026
Market Comment: April 30, 2026
Market Comment: April 23, 2026