Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

RAPAPORT… JCK show sees fewer participants, but trading
reflects healthy US market. Big jewelry brands and top-tier independents
adjusting to dynamic retail environment and enjoying 2018 growth. Suppliers
maintaining stable prices, with 1 ct. RAPI -0.2% in May. De Beers’ entry into
lab-grown diamonds dominates discussions at the show, with industry largely
supporting the move to disrupt the synthetics market. Forevermark unveils omni-channel
strategy with online sales platform. DPA to launch China campaign in July,
shifts US focus to female self-purchasers. Signet 1Q sales +6% to $1.5B, loss
of $497M vs. profit of $79M last year. Chow Tai Fook FY sales +15% to $7.5B,
profit +33% to $536M.



Fancies: Fancy shapes mixed, with curves better than squares. Ovals hot,
followed by Emeralds, Pears and Cushions. Marquises and Princesses weak.
Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears
and Emeralds, with limited supply. US supporting market for commercial-quality,
medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Far East demand improving as consumers seek
fancy shapes at better prices. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard
to sell, even at very deep discounts.



United States: Positive sentiment continues through Las Vegas shows. Buyers looking
for specific items in loose diamonds, while retailers planning fall and holiday
season collections. Steady demand for round, 0.50 to 1.25 ct., G-I, SI diamonds.
VVS weak. Fancy shapes selling well, particularly Ovals and Emeralds.



Belgium: Antwerp trading slightly quieter, with many dealers at Las Vegas fairs.
Good demand for 1 ct., G-J, VS-SI, RapSpec A3+ diamonds. Buyers looking at
price points and avoiding inventory buildup. Polished exports up in 2018, with
US and Hong Kong fueling growth. Rough trading stable ahead of next week’s
Alrosa sale.



Israel: Dealers upbeat
about US market following JCK show. Steady interest in 0.75 to 1.25 ct., G-J,
VS-SI diamonds. Shortage of RapSpec A2+ diamonds supporting prices. Emeralds,
Ovals and Pears driving fancy shapes. Rough trading slow.



India: Activity relatively
low as May summer break ends and dealers return from Las Vegas. Inventory
levels rising, with steady polished manufacturing. Solid demand for dossiers,
melee slightly weak. Cutters concerned about tight profit margins.



Hong Kong: Diamond trading quiet, with dealers interested in Las Vegas
feedback. Suppliers preparing for Hong Kong show (June 21 to 24), the smallest
of the municipality’s three annual fairs. Hong Kong and mainland China retail
environment improving. Chow Tai Fook notes changing consumer preferences due to
rise of middle class and millennials as well as increased urbanization.