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

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.


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