Market Comment

The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news

Weekly since 1980

June 5, 2025

News:

Las Vegas shows open amid deep uncertainty about tariffs. Overseas exhibitors have muted expectations for JCK, with fewer attending than normal. GIA shifts to descriptive terms for grading synthetics. Long legal battle over tariffs likely after appeals court reinstates them temporarily. 1 ct. RAPI flat in May. US consumer demand steady. Signet fiscal 1Q sales +2% YOY to $1.5B, profit -36% to $33.5M. Macy’s notes improvement in fine-jewelry sales. Antwerp and Israel markets quiet due to Shavuot holiday and Las Vegas shows. Register for Rapaport JCK events at rapaport.com/jck25-breakfast.

Fancies:

Long fancy shapes such as Oval, Marquise and Emerald doing better than rounds in large sizes. High-quality stones hard to find. Solid US interest in elongated Ovals of good shape and quality in D-I, VS-SI categories. Elongated Ovals, Pears and Emeralds of 2.50 to 2.99 ct. trading at significant premiums. Oval and Pear, 0.30 to 0.49 ct., F-I, VS diamonds in demand. Ovals 5% to 10% more expensive than Pears in US market. Supply shortages supporting prices for Marquises. Square Cushions slow. Very well-cut fancy shapes difficult to find and commanding premiums. Fancies with bad proportions are illiquid.

Country Comments

United States
United States

Industry focusing on Luxury and JCK Las Vegas shows. Market quiet due to Jewish holiday of Shavuot and because traders are traveling to Vegas. Large dealers reporting good sales. Steady demand for large fancy diamonds.

Belgium
Belgium

Polished market seasonally slow. Last week was short due to Ascension Day; this week was quiet because of Shavuot holiday. Some traders traveling to Las Vegas for shows. Large diamonds doing well amid shortages. Industry pleased with GIA’s decision to stop giving specific color and clarity grades to synthetic diamonds.

Israel
Israel

Short week due to Shavuot. Dealers watching US tariff developments and results of Las Vegas shows.

India
India

Market slow but stable, with industry waiting to assess state of trading at JCK. Overseas demand sluggish.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong

Chinese retail still weak. Southeast Asian markets supporting trade. Not much wholesale activity. Few companies attending Las Vegas shows.

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