The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
May 16, 2021
News: Diamond market upbeat as orders stream in; dealers frustrated with sourcing difficulties. Prices firm due to supply shortages and steady US and Chinese demand. Rough trading strong as De Beers raises prices by estimated 5% for goods above 2 ct. Major jewelers gaining market share with robust e-commerce growth. Signet Jewelers 1Q sales +98% to $1.7B, profit of $138M vs. loss of $197M. Chow Tai Fook FY sales +24% to $9B, profit +107% to $796M. Christie’s NY sells $27M (87% by lot), with pear, 54.03 ct., D, IF Chrysler Diamond necklace going for $5.1M ($93,837/ct.). Sotheby’s NY achieves $38M (93% by lot) as 73.11 ct., fancy vivid yellow, VS2 Sienna Star garners $3.4M ($46,615/ct.).
Fancies: Market robust. Upturn in prices for 0.30 to 0.99 ct. goods of various shapes. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Shortages of 1.25 to 3.99 ct., F-J, VVS2-SI2 fancies. Retailers offering wider product ranges as consumers seek alternative shapes at more affordable prices than rounds. Dealers seeing increased sales of fancy-shape engagement rings. Rise in orders for Ovals, Pears, Emeralds, Princesses, long Radiants and Marquises. Excellent cuts in demand and selling at premiums. Steady orders in China helping the market. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and difficult to sell.
Country Comments
United States
Positive sentiment amid strong orders. Jewelers looking for merchandise but having difficulty finding the right stones at reasonable prices. Luxury houses seeking top-quality F-H, VVS-VS melee for fashion and bridal collections. A lot of items out on memo with good sell-through rate, particularly for 1.50 to 4 ct., G-H, VS-SI diamonds. Fancy vivid and intense yellows above 2.50 ct. also moving well.
Belgium
Dealers upbeat and selling at firm prices due to scarcities. Solid demand for 0.70 to 1.10 ct., F-H, SI1 diamonds. Strong interest in commercial-quality fancy shapes. Pears, ovals and cushions in G-J, SI range are best performers. Rough market robust, with fewer items available and high prices in secondary market.
Israel
Stable polished demand but little supply. Dealers struggling to maintain added value amid shortages and with manufacturers increasingly selling directly to retailers. Memo houses doing well and seeing steady US orders. Pears, cushions and ovals in VS-SI1 categories are best-moving fancy shapes. Princess-cut, 0.50 ct., F-H, VS2 diamonds continue to improve.
India
Sentiment up as Covid-19 cases decline. Solid demand for certified goods; orders coming in from US, China and Hong Kong. Steady sales of round, 0.30 to 2 ct., D-K, VVS-SI diamonds. Manufacturing levels rising, but grading backlog persists, resulting in limited supply. Smaller stones volatile. Positive market for ovals.
Hong Kong
Wholesale trading healthy but seasonally slow. Chinese demand supporting business. Large jewelers ordering goods destined for mainland stores. Stable appetite for round, 1 to 1.50 ct., D-H, VS2-SI2, 3X items. Fancy shapes
Market Comment
The diamond trade’s trusted bulletin for pricing, trends and news
Weekly since 1980
May 16, 2021
News: Diamond market upbeat as orders stream in; dealers frustrated with sourcing difficulties. Prices firm due to supply shortages and steady US and Chinese demand. Rough trading strong as De Beers raises prices by estimated 5% for goods above 2 ct. Major jewelers gaining market share with robust e-commerce growth. Signet Jewelers 1Q sales +98% to $1.7B, profit of $138M vs. loss of $197M. Chow Tai Fook FY sales +24% to $9B, profit +107% to $796M. Christie’s NY sells $27M (87% by lot), with pear, 54.03 ct., D, IF Chrysler Diamond necklace going for $5.1M ($93,837/ct.). Sotheby’s NY achieves $38M (93% by lot) as 73.11 ct., fancy vivid yellow, VS2 Sienna Star garners $3.4M ($46,615/ct.).
Fancies: Market robust. Upturn in prices for 0.30 to 0.99 ct. goods of various shapes. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Shortages of 1.25 to 3.99 ct., F-J, VVS2-SI2 fancies. Retailers offering wider product ranges as consumers seek alternative shapes at more affordable prices than rounds. Dealers seeing increased sales of fancy-shape engagement rings. Rise in orders for Ovals, Pears, Emeralds, Princesses, long Radiants and Marquises. Excellent cuts in demand and selling at premiums. Steady orders in China helping the market. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and difficult to sell.
Country Comments
Positive sentiment amid strong orders. Jewelers looking for merchandise but having difficulty finding the right stones at reasonable prices. Luxury houses seeking top-quality F-H, VVS-VS melee for fashion and bridal collections. A lot of items out on memo with good sell-through rate, particularly for 1.50 to 4 ct., G-H, VS-SI diamonds. Fancy vivid and intense yellows above 2.50 ct. also moving well.
Dealers upbeat and selling at firm prices due to scarcities. Solid demand for 0.70 to 1.10 ct., F-H, SI1 diamonds. Strong interest in commercial-quality fancy shapes. Pears, ovals and cushions in G-J, SI range are best performers. Rough market robust, with fewer items available and high prices in secondary market.
Stable polished demand but little supply. Dealers struggling to maintain added value amid shortages and with manufacturers increasingly selling directly to retailers. Memo houses doing well and seeing steady US orders. Pears, cushions and ovals in VS-SI1 categories are best-moving fancy shapes. Princess-cut, 0.50 ct., F-H, VS2 diamonds continue to improve.
Sentiment up as Covid-19 cases decline. Solid demand for certified goods; orders coming in from US, China and Hong Kong. Steady sales of round, 0.30 to 2 ct., D-K, VVS-SI diamonds. Manufacturing levels rising, but grading backlog persists, resulting in limited supply. Smaller stones volatile. Positive market for ovals.
Wholesale trading healthy but seasonally slow. Chinese demand supporting business. Large jewelers ordering goods destined for mainland stores. Stable appetite for round, 1 to 1.50 ct., D-H, VS2-SI2, 3X items. Fancy shapes
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