The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
April 16, 2026
News:
Trading cautious, with buyers purchasing for specific orders. Iran tensions weighing on industry despite ceasefire. Split between large and small goods here to stay, but prices of 0.30 to 0.89 ct. rounds stabilized since Apr. 1. Mar. RAPI for 0.30 ct. -1.1%, 0.50 ct. -3.5%, 1 ct. -1.7%, 3 ct. -0.5%. Three bidders circling De Beers ahead of Apr. 16 offer deadline: Gareth Penny, backed by Antwerp sightholders; Diacore’s Nir Livnat; and mining investor Michael O’Keeffe. Belgium Mar. polished exports -17% to $357M, with rough imports +2.5% to $312M. LVMH 1Q watch and jewelry sales -2% YOY to $2.9B due to currency impact. Kering 1Q jewelry revenue +14% YOY to $317M amid strength at Boucheron.
Fancies:
Long fancy shapes such as Ovals, Marquises and Emeralds doing better than rounds in 2 ct. and larger. High-quality Marquises, long Radiants and long Cushions in short supply. Marquise most expensive fancy shape. 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. Princess cuts weak. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Fancies with bad proportions illiquid.
Country Comments
United States
High-end consumer demand positive. Mixed reports from Miami antique show, with ongoing interest in Taylor Swift-inspired old mine cuts. Last week was slow due to Passover. New York trading steady. Wholesalers seeking goods as tariffs make overseas purchases expensive.
Belgium
Bourses seasonally quiet. Larger diamonds seeing solid orders from US and Middle East. Anglo American’s De Beers sale in focus.
Israel
Market reopens as US-Iran ceasefire heralds end to missile attacks on Israel. Dealers making the most of the opportunity, as flight resumptions enable imports, exports and business trips. Traders careful not to leave goods in Israel in case skies close suddenly.
India
Market seeing mixed trends and caution, with 2 ct. and larger performing better than smaller stones. Discounts narrower than a month ago. Overseas demand mixed as well, with buyers unwilling to hold inventory. US steady; Middle East slow due to war. Domestic jewelry sector suffering from gold-price volatility.
Hong Kong
Dealers have moved from Dubai to Hong Kong due to Iran war. Hong Kong seeing demand for 3 to 5 ct., D-G, IF-VVS diamonds, with buyers highly selective about quality. Commercial goods struggling. Chinese demand for natural diamonds still quiet, prompting dealers to embrace jewelry, gemstones and lab-grown. Mainland market focusing on round, 0.30, 0.50 and 1 ct., D-H, VVS1-VS2, 3X diamonds with no fluorescence, as well as oval, pear and emerald shapes.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
April 16, 2026
News:
Trading cautious, with buyers purchasing for specific orders. Iran tensions weighing on industry despite ceasefire. Split between large and small goods here to stay, but prices of 0.30 to 0.89 ct. rounds stabilized since Apr. 1. Mar. RAPI for 0.30 ct. -1.1%, 0.50 ct. -3.5%, 1 ct. -1.7%, 3 ct. -0.5%. Three bidders circling De Beers ahead of Apr. 16 offer deadline: Gareth Penny, backed by Antwerp sightholders; Diacore’s Nir Livnat; and mining investor Michael O’Keeffe. Belgium Mar. polished exports -17% to $357M, with rough imports +2.5% to $312M. LVMH 1Q watch and jewelry sales -2% YOY to $2.9B due to currency impact. Kering 1Q jewelry revenue +14% YOY to $317M amid strength at Boucheron.
Fancies:
Long fancy shapes such as Ovals, Marquises and Emeralds doing better than rounds in 2 ct. and larger. High-quality Marquises, long Radiants and long Cushions in short supply. Marquise most expensive fancy shape. 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. Princess cuts weak. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Fancies with bad proportions illiquid.
Country Comments
High-end consumer demand positive. Mixed reports from Miami antique show, with ongoing interest in Taylor Swift-inspired old mine cuts. Last week was slow due to Passover. New York trading steady. Wholesalers seeking goods as tariffs make overseas purchases expensive.
Bourses seasonally quiet. Larger diamonds seeing solid orders from US and Middle East. Anglo American’s De Beers sale in focus.
Market reopens as US-Iran ceasefire heralds end to missile attacks on Israel. Dealers making the most of the opportunity, as flight resumptions enable imports, exports and business trips. Traders careful not to leave goods in Israel in case skies close suddenly.
Market seeing mixed trends and caution, with 2 ct. and larger performing better than smaller stones. Discounts narrower than a month ago. Overseas demand mixed as well, with buyers unwilling to hold inventory. US steady; Middle East slow due to war. Domestic jewelry sector suffering from gold-price volatility.
Dealers have moved from Dubai to Hong Kong due to Iran war. Hong Kong seeing demand for 3 to 5 ct., D-G, IF-VVS diamonds, with buyers highly selective about quality. Commercial goods struggling. Chinese demand for natural diamonds still quiet, prompting dealers to embrace jewelry, gemstones and lab-grown. Mainland market focusing on round, 0.30, 0.50 and 1 ct., D-H, VVS1-VS2, 3X diamonds with no fluorescence, as well as oval, pear and emerald shapes.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: June 4, 2026
Market Comment: May 28, 2026
Market Comment: May 20, 2026
Market Comment: May 14, 2026
Market Comment: May 7, 2026
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Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: June 4, 2026
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