Fancy-Color Prices Stable Despite Slight Decreases

The global market for fancy-color diamonds saw a marginal decline in the third quarter, but enjoyed steady demand overall, according to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF).

Prices on the Fancy Color Diamond Index slid 0.5% during the three-month period that ended September 30, the group said Wednesday.

In the yellow category, prices fell by 1.6%, a slight improvement from the 1.7% decrease of the previous quarter. Over the past 12 months, diamonds of this color have cumulatively declined 3.5%. The most significant third-quarter drop was in 1-carat fancy-intense yellows, which fell by 3.8%.

Pink diamonds were relatively flat, declining only 0.1% during the quarter compared to the 0.2% drop of the previous three months. In the past year, pink diamonds have demonstrated no change in pricing. Particularly strong in the third quarter were fancy-vivid-pink goods, with the 3-carat category increasing by 2.1% and 1-carat stones rising by 1.6%. However, fancy-intense pinks in the 1.50- and 1-carat categories slid 3.1% and 0.4% respectively.

Blue-diamond prices slipped by 0.7%, versus 0.3% in the previous quarter. Goods weighing 8 carats were generally stable, rising 0.1%. However, 1-carat stones went down by 1.1%, while 1.50-carat fancy-vivid and 5-carat fancy-intense blues dropped 2% and 2.2% respectively.

“Despite some declines this quarter, the fancy-color diamond market is showing resilience,” said FCRF data supplier Oz Mashiach. “The slight decreases, especially in yellow diamonds, reflect broader economic uncertainties, yet the overall stability suggests steady demand. It’s encouraging to see that categories like vivid pinks continue to perform well, even in a challenging economic climate.”

Since the FCRF began collecting data in 2005, there has been documented growth across all fancy-color categories, with an overall increase of 209%. Yellow-diamond prices have risen by 54%, pinks by 398%, and blues by 245%.

Image: Fancy color diamonds. (Fancy Color Research Foundation)