The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
June 4, 2026
News:
JCK Las Vegas reflects market split. 2 ct. and larger diamonds selling, with 10 ct.+ strong. 1.20 to 1.99 ct. mixed; smaller “bread and butter” goods slow. Riches in the niches (long fancies, antique cuts, low and fancy colors, gemstones). Jewelry better than loose diamonds. US consumers returning to natural for pricier pieces. Strong Luxury show as high-end jewelers sought unique products for affluent clients. Retailers only buying for inventory in hottest categories. Signet fiscal 1Q sales +1% YOY to $1.6B. Angola to reduce supply of small rough. Finsch mine in business rescue; Kao mine reportedly pausing. Sign up to beta-test Rapaport’s new agentic AI tool here.
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. 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
Las Vegas shows reflect state of US demand, with 2 ct. and larger, G-J, VS1-SI2 goods moving in rounds and long fancies. Exhibitors with the right inventory and connections to jewelers had a strong show. Retailers in market for natural diamonds, especially 2 ct. and up, following crash in synthetics prices. Uniqueness, authenticity and storytelling gaining importance as couples increasingly shop for jewelry together.
Belgium
Few Belgian companies exhibiting at JCK and Luxury. Many attended GemGenève in May and did not believe Vegas trip was worth the gamble. Positive reports from those who did attend, especially dealers in large diamonds.
Israel
Market slow. Strong shekel currency impacting business, as sales are in dollars. Low turnout at JCK due to market situation and concerns over Iran war.
India
Focus on Las Vegas events. Positive reports from manufacturers and dealers about sales of 2 ct. and larger, which are in short supply due to lower production of both rough and polished. Most exhibitors with smaller diamonds struggled. Companies that brought focused inventory had strong turnout. Tariffs incentivized vendors to bring only sellable items. Domestic Indian natural-diamond demand improving; retailers buying for orders, not inventory.
Hong Kong
Cautious optimism for this month’s Jewellery & Gem Asia Hong Kong show. 3 to 5 ct. diamonds the most popular in local market, followed by stones above 5 ct. for investments. Fancy shapes moving. Diamonds under 1 ct. slow. Consumers choosing synthetics for everyday wear. Diamonds below 0.50 ct. under pressure in mainland China.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
June 4, 2026
News:
JCK Las Vegas reflects market split. 2 ct. and larger diamonds selling, with 10 ct.+ strong. 1.20 to 1.99 ct. mixed; smaller “bread and butter” goods slow. Riches in the niches (long fancies, antique cuts, low and fancy colors, gemstones). Jewelry better than loose diamonds. US consumers returning to natural for pricier pieces. Strong Luxury show as high-end jewelers sought unique products for affluent clients. Retailers only buying for inventory in hottest categories. Signet fiscal 1Q sales +1% YOY to $1.6B. Angola to reduce supply of small rough. Finsch mine in business rescue; Kao mine reportedly pausing. Sign up to beta-test Rapaport’s new agentic AI tool here.
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. 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
Las Vegas shows reflect state of US demand, with 2 ct. and larger, G-J, VS1-SI2 goods moving in rounds and long fancies. Exhibitors with the right inventory and connections to jewelers had a strong show. Retailers in market for natural diamonds, especially 2 ct. and up, following crash in synthetics prices. Uniqueness, authenticity and storytelling gaining importance as couples increasingly shop for jewelry together.
Few Belgian companies exhibiting at JCK and Luxury. Many attended GemGenève in May and did not believe Vegas trip was worth the gamble. Positive reports from those who did attend, especially dealers in large diamonds.
Market slow. Strong shekel currency impacting business, as sales are in dollars. Low turnout at JCK due to market situation and concerns over Iran war.
Focus on Las Vegas events. Positive reports from manufacturers and dealers about sales of 2 ct. and larger, which are in short supply due to lower production of both rough and polished. Most exhibitors with smaller diamonds struggled. Companies that brought focused inventory had strong turnout. Tariffs incentivized vendors to bring only sellable items. Domestic Indian natural-diamond demand improving; retailers buying for orders, not inventory.
Cautious optimism for this month’s Jewellery & Gem Asia Hong Kong show. 3 to 5 ct. diamonds the most popular in local market, followed by stones above 5 ct. for investments. Fancy shapes moving. Diamonds under 1 ct. slow. Consumers choosing synthetics for everyday wear. Diamonds below 0.50 ct. under pressure in mainland China.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: May 28, 2026
Market Comment: May 20, 2026
Market Comment: May 14, 2026
Market Comment: May 7, 2026
Market Comment: April 30, 2026
Stay Up-to-Date with Rapaport Industry News and Analysis
Sign up for Rapaport Newsletters
Get the trade’s most trusted news, analysis and data delivered to your inbox daily.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: May 28, 2026
Market Comment: May 20, 2026
Market Comment: May 14, 2026
Market Comment: May 7, 2026
Market Comment: April 30, 2026
Market Comment: April 23, 2026