• Optimistic mood as trading resumes after spring break
  • Polished prices stable
  • Chinese dealers buying stock ahead of potential yuan devaluation that may raise local prices if China-US trade war emerges
  • European high-end market mixed, with large luxury houses doing better than smaller niche players: LVMH 1Q jewelry & watch sales +9% to $1.2B; De Grisogono to cut around 40 jobs in strategic shift to affordable fine jewelry & watches
  • Sotheby’s Hong Kong sells $49M (61% by lot), but emerald-cut, 14.18 ct., fancy blue, VVS2 diamond ring remains unsold
  • Alrosa March sales -1% to $560M. Hong Kong 2017 polished imports +9% to $18.9B, exports +5% to $14B

Fancies

  • Fancy shapes mixed, with curves better than squares
  • Ovals hot, Marquises strong, followed by Pears and Cushions. Emeralds and Radiants fair, Princesses still 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

  • New York trading quiet after Passover holiday
  • Little urgency to sell, and suppliers not prepared to reduce prices after good 1Q. Dealers optimistic for 2Q, with focus on Las Vegas shows
  • Solid demand for 1 ct., G-H, VS2-I2 diamonds
  • Growth-minded retailers investing in e-commerce, better distribution and innovation in effort to drive customers to stores

Belgium

  • Positive sentiment after Easter break, although trading still subdued
  • Prices steady for commercial goods, with consistent demand for 1 to 2 ct., H+, VS-SI diamonds
  • Lower colors improving
  • Rough trading stable during De Beers sight, with boxes selling on the secondary market at slightly lower premiums

Israel

  • Slow trading as dealers return from Passover vacation
  • Demand centering around 0.30 to 1.49 ct., G-J, VS2-SI range
  • Large-stone orders quiet
  • Dealers focused on US market, with rising expectations for upcoming Las Vegas shows
  • Steady interest in special-size rough

India

  • US and Asian buyers driving activity
  • Good demand for 0.30 to 0.60 ct. and 1 ct., J-M, I1-I2 diamonds
  • Manufacturers with sizable credit lines facing greater scrutiny from banks amid concern large companies may reduce prices to raise liquidity
  • Trading expected to improve during Bharat Diamond Week (April 23 to 25)

Hong Kong

  • Slight slowdown since last month’s show, but business still better than a year ago. Dossiers moving well
  • Steady orders for 2 to 3 ct. in lower I-M colors
  • Stronger tourist spending and improved job market lift retail sentiment in 2018. Chinese yuan depreciation may reduce tourist shopping
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