The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
November 14, 2024
News: Diamond prices stabilizing at low levels. Sentiment improving amid steady US holiday sales. Midstream inventory falling, with sharpest declines in round, 1 ct., D-K, IF-VVS categories after manufacturers reduced rough imports and polished production. Most India factories closed for Diwali. Federal Reserve lowers interest rates 0.25 percentage points. Oct. US inflation rose to 2.6%. Richemont fiscal H1 sales at Cartier, Van Cleef and Buccellati +2% to $7.6B, operating profit -5% to $2.5B. Brilliant Earth 3Q sales -13% YOY to $100M, with $1.1M loss vs. $2M profit in 3Q 2023. Trade bodies in talks to launch marketing fund. Strong turnout at Dubai events, reflecting hub’s growing importance.
Fancies: Fancy-shape prices stabilizing, but decline is more moderate than for rounds. US buyers more selective about quality of SIs, rejecting black centers and short ratios. Elongated shapes in demand. Fancies with medium and short ratios harder to sell. Supply shortages supporting prices for Marquises. Square Cushions slow. Very well-cut fancy shapes hard to find and commanding premiums. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid.
Country Comments
United States
Cautious optimism as holiday calls pick up. Steady orders for round, 1.70 ct. and larger, F-I, VS-SI, 3X diamonds. Inventory hard to replace in sought-after categories due to India’s Diwali shutdown. Radiants and elongated ovals moving. Large uncertified “bluff” stones in demand. Under 1 ct. slow due to competition from synthetics. Dealers making good profits on rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
Belgium
Market slow, with sales similar to last year. Customers buying on demand and not for stock. Dealers preparing for important holiday season. Drop in Indian production is lifting optimism. Stable demand for 2 to 3 ct. diamonds in higher colors, but 1 ct. weak.
Israel
Sellers concentrating on making most of US holiday season. Business okay. Sentiment improving, but comparison is with very low level. Industry concerned about what will happen when season ends. Shortages of perfectly made long ovals in 2.50 to 2.99 ct. range.
India
Mumbai sales offices returning from Diwali vacation. Most cutting factories will resume next week, though some opened this week. Shortages of fine-quality goods. Good demand for and short supply of stars and melee. India October gross polished exports up 11% year on year at $1.4 billion, net polished exports up 45% at $840 million after returns. October rough imports fell 35% year on year to $666 million, while net rough imports dropped 36% to $644 million.
Hong Kong
Chinese market slow. Demand is either for low-budget goods or luxury brands. Trade hoping for improvement in Hong Kong and mainland over Christmas and Chinese New Year seasons. Steady local demand for 1 ct., D-G, VVS-VS, 3X diamonds with no fluorescence. Customers prefer to buy VVS at deep discount rather than SIs, as nice stones are hard to find.
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
November 14, 2024
News: Diamond prices stabilizing at low levels. Sentiment improving amid steady US holiday sales. Midstream inventory falling, with sharpest declines in round, 1 ct., D-K, IF-VVS categories after manufacturers reduced rough imports and polished production. Most India factories closed for Diwali. Federal Reserve lowers interest rates 0.25 percentage points. Oct. US inflation rose to 2.6%. Richemont fiscal H1 sales at Cartier, Van Cleef and Buccellati +2% to $7.6B, operating profit -5% to $2.5B. Brilliant Earth 3Q sales -13% YOY to $100M, with $1.1M loss vs. $2M profit in 3Q 2023. Trade bodies in talks to launch marketing fund. Strong turnout at Dubai events, reflecting hub’s growing importance.
Fancies: Fancy-shape prices stabilizing, but decline is more moderate than for rounds. US buyers more selective about quality of SIs, rejecting black centers and short ratios. Elongated shapes in demand. Fancies with medium and short ratios harder to sell. Supply shortages supporting prices for Marquises. Square Cushions slow. Very well-cut fancy shapes hard to find and commanding premiums. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid.
Country Comments
Cautious optimism as holiday calls pick up. Steady orders for round, 1.70 ct. and larger, F-I, VS-SI, 3X diamonds. Inventory hard to replace in sought-after categories due to India’s Diwali shutdown. Radiants and elongated ovals moving. Large uncertified “bluff” stones in demand. Under 1 ct. slow due to competition from synthetics. Dealers making good profits on rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
Market slow, with sales similar to last year. Customers buying on demand and not for stock. Dealers preparing for important holiday season. Drop in Indian production is lifting optimism. Stable demand for 2 to 3 ct. diamonds in higher colors, but 1 ct. weak.
Sellers concentrating on making most of US holiday season. Business okay. Sentiment improving, but comparison is with very low level. Industry concerned about what will happen when season ends. Shortages of perfectly made long ovals in 2.50 to 2.99 ct. range.
Mumbai sales offices returning from Diwali vacation. Most cutting factories will resume next week, though some opened this week. Shortages of fine-quality goods. Good demand for and short supply of stars and melee. India October gross polished exports up 11% year on year at $1.4 billion, net polished exports up 45% at $840 million after returns. October rough imports fell 35% year on year to $666 million, while net rough imports dropped 36% to $644 million.
Chinese market slow. Demand is either for low-budget goods or luxury brands. Trade hoping for improvement in Hong Kong and mainland over Christmas and Chinese New Year seasons. Steady local demand for 1 ct., D-G, VVS-VS, 3X diamonds with no fluorescence. Customers prefer to buy VVS at deep discount rather than SIs, as nice stones are hard to find.
Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: June 12, 2025
Market Comment: June 5, 2025
Market Comment: May 29, 2025
Market Comment: May 22, 2025
Market Comment: May 15, 2025
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Previous Market Comments
Market Comment: June 12, 2025
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