The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
August 27, 2026
News:
Cautious recovery continues, led by 0.30 to 1.49 ct. goods. Price growth in 0.50 ct. starting to outpace 0.30 ct. Some 1 ct. categories rebounding after recent declines. Rounds’ price trends better than fancies’. Large diamonds steady and in demand. High-end market solid. Trading hubs slow in final stretch of summer holiday. US wholesalers shifting focus to holiday season. Chinese demand low ahead of Hong Kong show (Sep. 14-20), but good overseas turnout expected. Rough market tightening following supply cuts. Alrosa plans diamond-cutting cluster in Smolensk and Yakutia. Qatar Diamond Exchange signs MoU with diamond bourses in Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Fancies:
Long fancy shapes such as Ovals, Marquises and Emeralds moving well 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. Reports of demand for Princesses after long period of weakness; prices remain low. Antique cuts and styles hot. Solid US market for elongated Ovals of good shape and quality in D-I, VS-SI categories. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Fancies with bad proportions illiquid.
Country Comments
United States
Summer period coming to an end. Market trends continuing, with solid demand for large natural diamonds. Sentiment improving. Orders for diamonds under 1 ct. picking up. Low prices of synthetics supporting differentiation.
Belgium
Market quiet over summer.
Israel
Few dealers back from summer vacation. Trading expected to pick up in coming weeks.
India
Market stable but firming. Tight rough supply supporting polished prices. Round, 0.30 ct. diamonds are most sought-after category, with larger dossiers also improving and signs of stabilization in 1 ct. goods. US is the primary market driver. Indians seeing low demand from Hong Kong, exacerbated by Vietnam diamond crisis.
Hong Kong
Fine jewelry performing well. Loose stones slow. Best sellers are round and long fancy (oval, marquise and pear), 2 to 5 ct., D-G, IF-VVS diamonds, with buyers insisting on eye-clean goods. Solid demand for investment-grade round, pear and oval, 5 to 20 ct., D-F, IF-VVS diamonds. Smaller commercial goods losing out to synthetics. Traders expecting upcoming Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong show to draw strong overseas attendance, with focus on investment-grade stones. Chinese retailers keeping inventories lean, with round, pear and oval shapes in G-H, VS qualities dominating demand.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
August 27, 2026
News:
Cautious recovery continues, led by 0.30 to 1.49 ct. goods. Price growth in 0.50 ct. starting to outpace 0.30 ct. Some 1 ct. categories rebounding after recent declines. Rounds’ price trends better than fancies’. Large diamonds steady and in demand. High-end market solid. Trading hubs slow in final stretch of summer holiday. US wholesalers shifting focus to holiday season. Chinese demand low ahead of Hong Kong show (Sep. 14-20), but good overseas turnout expected. Rough market tightening following supply cuts. Alrosa plans diamond-cutting cluster in Smolensk and Yakutia. Qatar Diamond Exchange signs MoU with diamond bourses in Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Fancies:
Long fancy shapes such as Ovals, Marquises and Emeralds moving well 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. Reports of demand for Princesses after long period of weakness; prices remain low. Antique cuts and styles hot. Solid US market for elongated Ovals of good shape and quality in D-I, VS-SI categories. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Fancies with bad proportions illiquid.
Country Comments
Summer period coming to an end. Market trends continuing, with solid demand for large natural diamonds. Sentiment improving. Orders for diamonds under 1 ct. picking up. Low prices of synthetics supporting differentiation.
Market quiet over summer.
Few dealers back from summer vacation. Trading expected to pick up in coming weeks.
Market stable but firming. Tight rough supply supporting polished prices. Round, 0.30 ct. diamonds are most sought-after category, with larger dossiers also improving and signs of stabilization in 1 ct. goods. US is the primary market driver. Indians seeing low demand from Hong Kong, exacerbated by Vietnam diamond crisis.
Fine jewelry performing well. Loose stones slow. Best sellers are round and long fancy (oval, marquise and pear), 2 to 5 ct., D-G, IF-VVS diamonds, with buyers insisting on eye-clean goods. Solid demand for investment-grade round, pear and oval, 5 to 20 ct., D-F, IF-VVS diamonds. Smaller commercial goods losing out to synthetics. Traders expecting upcoming Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong show to draw strong overseas attendance, with focus on investment-grade stones. Chinese retailers keeping inventories lean, with round, pear and oval shapes in G-H, VS qualities dominating demand.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: August 20, 2026
Market Comment: August 13, 2026
Market Comment: August 6, 2026
Market Comment: July 30, 2026
Market Comment: July 23, 2026
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Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: August 20, 2026
Market Comment: August 13, 2026
Market Comment: August 6, 2026
Market Comment: July 30, 2026
Market Comment: July 23, 2026
Market Comment: July 16, 2026