The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
September 3, 2026
News:
Market recovery broadening. Aug. 1 ct. RAPI +0.5%, first rise in 15 months. Dossiers continuing rebound, with 0.30 ct. RAPI +2%, 0.50 ct. +2.5%, 3 ct. -0.4%. Rounds outperforming fancies. Certified stones in India seeing increased premiums over non-certified goods. Trading hubs returning from summer break. India retail demand steady; Middle East also active. Rough supply tight, limiting polished output. Some large manufacturers expanding market share. Hong Kong slow ahead of Sep. show. Thieves steal Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from Vienna museum. US postpones deadline for grandfathered Russian diamonds to Sep. 2027. Chow Sang Sang 1H revenue +17% YOY to $1.6B on strong gold demand.
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
Demand steady, with activity picking up after the summer. Market trends stable.
Belgium
Market activity coming back slowly as traders return from summer break. Demand positive and sentiment optimistic. Large stones in short supply, especially 3 to 4 ct. and up; sharper shortages in 7 ct. and larger. Fancy shapes and 10 ct.-plus stones seeing strong demand; round, 5 ct. stones slower.
Israel
Market quiet as summer break ends. Some buyers returning with orders for 1 ct. and larger diamonds. Overall trading still limited.
India
Round, 0.30 ct., D-G, VVS-SI diamonds leading rebound in prices as demand from major retailers continues following drop in inventory. Round, 0.50 ct. goods close behind. Melee supply tight. Pears and ovals are strongest fancy shapes, with buyers focused on right combination of shape, make, size and price.
Hong Kong
Trading slow as buyers await September Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong show (September 14 to 20). Fine jewelry performing well; loose stones weak. Round and long fancy shapes 2 ct. and larger are best sellers, with high end buying D-G and regular Chinese retailers seeking G-H. IF-VVS investment-grade diamonds in demand; commercial goods under 1 ct. in lower colors and clarities losing ground to synthetics. Mainland China quiet overall ahead of Shenzhen International Jewelry Fair (September 9 to 12) and Hong Kong show.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
September 3, 2026
News:
Market recovery broadening. Aug. 1 ct. RAPI +0.5%, first rise in 15 months. Dossiers continuing rebound, with 0.30 ct. RAPI +2%, 0.50 ct. +2.5%, 3 ct. -0.4%. Rounds outperforming fancies. Certified stones in India seeing increased premiums over non-certified goods. Trading hubs returning from summer break. India retail demand steady; Middle East also active. Rough supply tight, limiting polished output. Some large manufacturers expanding market share. Hong Kong slow ahead of Sep. show. Thieves steal Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from Vienna museum. US postpones deadline for grandfathered Russian diamonds to Sep. 2027. Chow Sang Sang 1H revenue +17% YOY to $1.6B on strong gold demand.
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
Demand steady, with activity picking up after the summer. Market trends stable.
Market activity coming back slowly as traders return from summer break. Demand positive and sentiment optimistic. Large stones in short supply, especially 3 to 4 ct. and up; sharper shortages in 7 ct. and larger. Fancy shapes and 10 ct.-plus stones seeing strong demand; round, 5 ct. stones slower.
Market quiet as summer break ends. Some buyers returning with orders for 1 ct. and larger diamonds. Overall trading still limited.
Round, 0.30 ct., D-G, VVS-SI diamonds leading rebound in prices as demand from major retailers continues following drop in inventory. Round, 0.50 ct. goods close behind. Melee supply tight. Pears and ovals are strongest fancy shapes, with buyers focused on right combination of shape, make, size and price.
Trading slow as buyers await September Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong show (September 14 to 20). Fine jewelry performing well; loose stones weak. Round and long fancy shapes 2 ct. and larger are best sellers, with high end buying D-G and regular Chinese retailers seeking G-H. IF-VVS investment-grade diamonds in demand; commercial goods under 1 ct. in lower colors and clarities losing ground to synthetics. Mainland China quiet overall ahead of Shenzhen International Jewelry Fair (September 9 to 12) and Hong Kong show.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: August 27, 2026
Market Comment: August 20, 2026
Market Comment: August 13, 2026
Market Comment: August 6, 2026
Market Comment: July 30, 2026
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Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: August 27, 2026
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