The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
January 23, 2025
News: US seasonally slow. Steady demand for round, 0.30 to 0.69 ct., D-F, IF-VVS2. De Beers maintains prices at Jan. sight, allows 20% buybacks. Petra Jul.-Dec. rough prices -10% YOY. Worker at Namibia’s Namdia trading company killed in armed robbery. India allows duty-free import of some polished under 0.25 ct. Steady trading at Vicenzaoro show. Bain reports strong 2024 for high jewelry. Belgium 2024 polished exports -16% to $8B, rough imports -37% to $4.2B. Chow Tai Fook Oct.-Dec. retail sales -14% YOY; Luk Fook -6%. RapNet to launch Gemstone Trading Network. Martin Rapaport webinar Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. EST. Register here. Wishing everyone a happy Chinese New Year.
Fancies: Fancy-shape prices stable. Prices firm for 3 ct. and larger, as nice items are hard to find. Good US demand and price increases for elongated Ovals in D-I, VS-SI categories with good shape and quality. Oval and Pear, 0.30 to 0.49, F-I, VS diamonds in demand. Ovals 5% to 10% more expensive than Pears in US market. Elongated Emeralds, Radiants and Pears in demand, with stable prices. 2.50 to 2.99 ct. trading at significant premiums in those shapes. Supply shortages supporting prices for Marquises. Square Cushions slow. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid.
Country Comments
United States
Market seasonally slow after holidays. Stable trading at Miami Beach Antique Show, with retailers attending and making purchases. Market focusing on memo. Steady market for 1.50 ct. and larger, F-I, VS-SI diamonds with no fluorescence in elongated fancies. Melee sluggish but stable. Industry looking ahead to AGTA GemFair Tucson show (February 3 to 9).
Belgium
Sentiment low. Sluggish orders and low profitability. Little desire to take on inventory.
Israel
Business quiet amid slow overseas sales. Dealers cautious.
India
Overseas demand weak, with traders cautious about investing in diamonds. Domestic demand better, especially in smaller sizes. Manufacturing remains at around 50% of capacity, with some shortages of fresh goods.
Hong Kong
Sales weak ahead of Chinese New Year (January 29). Low morale in wholesale market. Some dealers taking vacation as jewelry manufacturers shut for the holiday. Consumer demand focused on low-budget items. Synthetics demand growing.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
January 23, 2025
News: US seasonally slow. Steady demand for round, 0.30 to 0.69 ct., D-F, IF-VVS2. De Beers maintains prices at Jan. sight, allows 20% buybacks. Petra Jul.-Dec. rough prices -10% YOY. Worker at Namibia’s Namdia trading company killed in armed robbery. India allows duty-free import of some polished under 0.25 ct. Steady trading at Vicenzaoro show. Bain reports strong 2024 for high jewelry. Belgium 2024 polished exports -16% to $8B, rough imports -37% to $4.2B. Chow Tai Fook Oct.-Dec. retail sales -14% YOY; Luk Fook -6%. RapNet to launch Gemstone Trading Network. Martin Rapaport webinar Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. EST. Register here. Wishing everyone a happy Chinese New Year.
Fancies: Fancy-shape prices stable. Prices firm for 3 ct. and larger, as nice items are hard to find. Good US demand and price increases for elongated Ovals in D-I, VS-SI categories with good shape and quality. Oval and Pear, 0.30 to 0.49, F-I, VS diamonds in demand. Ovals 5% to 10% more expensive than Pears in US market. Elongated Emeralds, Radiants and Pears in demand, with stable prices. 2.50 to 2.99 ct. trading at significant premiums in those shapes. Supply shortages supporting prices for Marquises. Square Cushions slow. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid.
Country Comments
Market seasonally slow after holidays. Stable trading at Miami Beach Antique Show, with retailers attending and making purchases. Market focusing on memo. Steady market for 1.50 ct. and larger, F-I, VS-SI diamonds with no fluorescence in elongated fancies. Melee sluggish but stable. Industry looking ahead to AGTA GemFair Tucson show (February 3 to 9).
Sentiment low. Sluggish orders and low profitability. Little desire to take on inventory.
Business quiet amid slow overseas sales. Dealers cautious.
Overseas demand weak, with traders cautious about investing in diamonds. Domestic demand better, especially in smaller sizes. Manufacturing remains at around 50% of capacity, with some shortages of fresh goods.
Sales weak ahead of Chinese New Year (January 29). Low morale in wholesale market. Some dealers taking vacation as jewelry manufacturers shut for the holiday. Consumer demand focused on low-budget items. Synthetics demand growing.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: June 5, 2025
Market Comment: May 29, 2025
Market Comment: May 22, 2025
Market Comment: May 15, 2025
Market Comment: May 8, 2025
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Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: June 5, 2025
Market Comment: May 29, 2025
Market Comment: May 22, 2025
Market Comment: May 15, 2025
Market Comment: May 8, 2025
Market Comment: May 1, 2025