News: Market shaken by reports that De Beers is up for sale. Deal could lead to restructuring of diamond trade amid ongoing pressure from synthetics, sanctions and weak Chinese demand. Anglo American rejects $39B bid from BHP. De Beers reduces 2024 production plan by about 10% to 26M-29M cts. Market slower than usual for this time of year. Slow polished sales lead to sluggish rough demand ahead of De Beers sight. Short working week due to holidays. Luk Fook FY4Q retail sales +5% YOY, but China diamond sales down more than 40%. Mountain Province 1Q sales -31% YOY to $66M, average price -29% to $70/ct.
Fancies: High inventories of Ovals and Pears due to slow sales and imbalance between supply and demand after Indian manufacturers shifted from rounds to fancies last year. Cutters now returning to rounds. Sellers are flexible on prices. Downtrend continues. Sales of Hearts, Princesses and square Cushions low. Longer Ovals, Pears, Radiants and Cushions bringing higher prices. Goods with medium and short ratios harder to sell. Supply shortages supporting prices for Marquises. Well-cut stones hard to find and commanding premiums. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid.
United States:
Seasonal lull due to Passover. Trade preparing for Mother’s Day (May 12), with National Retail Federation predicting 10% year-on-year drop in jewelry sales to $7 billion. Federal Reserve holding interest rates at 5.25% to 5.5%.
Belgium:
Very short week for many traders due to Passover and Labor Day. Business expected to pick up in coming days. Overseas demand slow. Rough market uncertain ahead of next week’s De Beers sight.
Israel:
Dealers gradually returning from Passover vacation. Market sluggish due to seasonal decline in retail orders and ongoing weakness in Chinese demand.
India:
Sales slow, with little overseas demand. Some interest in round, 1 to 1.99 ct., D-I, VS-SI diamonds. Melee with SI clarity moving better.
Hong Kong:
Mainland diamond demand remains low. Muted expectations for Golden Week retail sales. Consumers showing strong appetite for gold.
Market Comment
News: Market shaken by reports that De Beers is up for sale. Deal could lead to restructuring of diamond trade amid ongoing pressure from synthetics, sanctions and weak Chinese demand. Anglo American rejects $39B bid from BHP. De Beers reduces 2024 production plan by about 10% to 26M-29M cts. Market slower than usual for this time of year. Slow polished sales lead to sluggish rough demand ahead of De Beers sight. Short working week due to holidays. Luk Fook FY4Q retail sales +5% YOY, but China diamond sales down more than 40%. Mountain Province 1Q sales -31% YOY to $66M, average price -29% to $70/ct.
Fancies: High inventories of Ovals and Pears due to slow sales and imbalance between supply and demand after Indian manufacturers shifted from rounds to fancies last year. Cutters now returning to rounds. Sellers are flexible on prices. Downtrend continues. Sales of Hearts, Princesses and square Cushions low. Longer Ovals, Pears, Radiants and Cushions bringing higher prices. Goods with medium and short ratios harder to sell. Supply shortages supporting prices for Marquises. Well-cut stones hard to find and commanding premiums. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid.
Seasonal lull due to Passover. Trade preparing for Mother’s Day (May 12), with National Retail Federation predicting 10% year-on-year drop in jewelry sales to $7 billion. Federal Reserve holding interest rates at 5.25% to 5.5%.
Very short week for many traders due to Passover and Labor Day. Business expected to pick up in coming days. Overseas demand slow. Rough market uncertain ahead of next week’s De Beers sight.
Dealers gradually returning from Passover vacation. Market sluggish due to seasonal decline in retail orders and ongoing weakness in Chinese demand.
Sales slow, with little overseas demand. Some interest in round, 1 to 1.99 ct., D-I, VS-SI diamonds. Melee with SI clarity moving better.
Mainland diamond demand remains low. Muted expectations for Golden Week retail sales. Consumers showing strong appetite for gold.
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