Market Comment

Short week due to Labor Day. Contract manufacturers busy fulfilling orders for fashion and bezel-set jewelry. Bridal demand steady in 1.50 ct. and larger, D-H, VS-SI in both rounds and fancies. Long fancies (pears, radiants, marquises) and antique shapes solid; emerald cuts have cooled.

Strong Belgian attendance at Vicenzaoro, with show reflecting healthy state of European high-end market. Antwerp trading has picked up in rough and polished. Small goods doing well, especially 0.20 ct. and below. Oval and marquise shapes in larger sizes moving nicely. Long cushions softer than before due to oversupply; radiant and old-cut goods in demand.

Domestic trading very slow; Israeli dealers buying in India and selling in US. Activity set to decline over upcoming festival season.

Market quiet due to religious festivals. Retailers and chain stores actively restocking. Rounds in 0.30 to 0.50 ct. and 2 ct.-plus ranges in strong demand, with 0.30 ct. the hottest category as availability tightens. Stars and melee also seeing increased demand, with local brands buying. Manufacturers have cut production sharply, further reducing inventory of 2 ct. and larger goods and supporting prices.

Market quiet as companies prepare for Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong show (September 14 to 20). Fancy-shape diamonds 2 ct. and larger seeing active trading among high-end buyers. Goods under 1 ct. with lower color and clarity performing poorly, while fancy pinks and fancy-intense yellows of high quality seeing steady inquiries. Chinese buyers favoring high-margin finished pieces over loose inventory. Shenzhen International Jewelry Fair underway in China, where market has been quiet.