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Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
April 30, 2026
News:
US retail steady ahead of Mother’s Day. 2 ct. and larger rounds and long fancies moving well as high-end spending continues. Larger US wholesalers outperforming small ones due to better access to sought-after goods. Production cuts supporting market, especially in larger and higher-quality diamonds. Indian manufacturers slowing down for May summer recess. Dealers estimate low sales at this week’s De Beers sight as miner keeps prices steady. De Beers 1Q consolidated sales +25% YOY to $648M as Jan. price cut stimulated demand. Focus shifting to JCK Las Vegas (May 29-Jun. 1). Sotheby’s sells round, 28.88 ct., D-flawless diamond for $2.7M in Hong Kong. David Block steps down as Sarine CEO.
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
Market stable. Steady demand for 2 ct. and larger rounds and fancies, especially 3 ct. and larger ovals and emeralds. Antique shapes strong. Large dealers doing well. Smaller dealers struggling. Retailers preparing for Mother’s Day (May 10). High end active. Majors and department stores shifting to synthetics in smaller sizes.
Belgium
Sentiment improving, even for weaker categories such as 0.50 to 0.80 ct. goods in lower colors. Less merchandise available. Fancy shapes strong. Dealers seeking solutions to synthetics competition. Shift of goods from Dubai due to Iran war boosted Antwerp trading figures in March.
Israel
Local market quiet. Dealers not importing much inventory. Companies with US branches doing better. March imports and exports down sharply because of Iran war; first-quarter polished exports slumped 13% year on year to $399.4 million after returns. Fewer dealers than normal planning to attend Las Vegas shows amid Israeli security situation.
India
Polished manufacturing to drop further during summer vacation. Trading reflects global trends, with 2 ct. and larger diamonds steady. US market best source of demand despite competition from synthetics. China and Hong Kong slow. Domestic market growing, with orders for D-G, VVS-VS goods. Stars (0.01 to 0.03 ct.) weakening after recent revival.
Hong Kong
Chinese market picking up ahead of Mother’s Day, with demand for necklaces, pendants and earrings featuring diamonds and colored gemstones. Steady market for 3 to 10 ct. round, pear and oval diamonds in D-F, IF-VVS qualities. Buyers insisting on GIA reports. Some sales of 0.50 to 1.50 ct. diamonds for Mother’s Day. Goods under 0.50 ct. slow. Natural diamonds under pressure from synthetics.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
April 30, 2026
News:
US retail steady ahead of Mother’s Day. 2 ct. and larger rounds and long fancies moving well as high-end spending continues. Larger US wholesalers outperforming small ones due to better access to sought-after goods. Production cuts supporting market, especially in larger and higher-quality diamonds. Indian manufacturers slowing down for May summer recess. Dealers estimate low sales at this week’s De Beers sight as miner keeps prices steady. De Beers 1Q consolidated sales +25% YOY to $648M as Jan. price cut stimulated demand. Focus shifting to JCK Las Vegas (May 29-Jun. 1). Sotheby’s sells round, 28.88 ct., D-flawless diamond for $2.7M in Hong Kong. David Block steps down as Sarine CEO.
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
Market stable. Steady demand for 2 ct. and larger rounds and fancies, especially 3 ct. and larger ovals and emeralds. Antique shapes strong. Large dealers doing well. Smaller dealers struggling. Retailers preparing for Mother’s Day (May 10). High end active. Majors and department stores shifting to synthetics in smaller sizes.
Sentiment improving, even for weaker categories such as 0.50 to 0.80 ct. goods in lower colors. Less merchandise available. Fancy shapes strong. Dealers seeking solutions to synthetics competition. Shift of goods from Dubai due to Iran war boosted Antwerp trading figures in March.
Local market quiet. Dealers not importing much inventory. Companies with US branches doing better. March imports and exports down sharply because of Iran war; first-quarter polished exports slumped 13% year on year to $399.4 million after returns. Fewer dealers than normal planning to attend Las Vegas shows amid Israeli security situation.
Polished manufacturing to drop further during summer vacation. Trading reflects global trends, with 2 ct. and larger diamonds steady. US market best source of demand despite competition from synthetics. China and Hong Kong slow. Domestic market growing, with orders for D-G, VVS-VS goods. Stars (0.01 to 0.03 ct.) weakening after recent revival.
Chinese market picking up ahead of Mother’s Day, with demand for necklaces, pendants and earrings featuring diamonds and colored gemstones. Steady market for 3 to 10 ct. round, pear and oval diamonds in D-F, IF-VVS qualities. Buyers insisting on GIA reports. Some sales of 0.50 to 1.50 ct. diamonds for Mother’s Day. Goods under 0.50 ct. slow. Natural diamonds under pressure from synthetics.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: May 14, 2026
Market Comment: May 7, 2026
Market Comment: April 30, 2026
Market Comment: April 23, 2026
Market Comment: April 16, 2026
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Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: May 14, 2026
Market Comment: May 7, 2026
Market Comment: April 30, 2026
Market Comment: April 23, 2026
Market Comment: April 16, 2026
Market Comment: April 9, 2026