Rapaport Press Release: Prices of Higher-Clarity Diamonds Continue to Fall
2024年5月7日 - 8:16PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
1-carat RAPI down 3.5% in April
The diamond market slowed in April due to seasonal factors as
well as weak US and Chinese demand. Prices of VS-plus goods fell,
while SIs improved, continuing a trend that has been present since
the start of the year.
BHP’s $38.9 billion bid for Anglo American raised questions
about the future of De Beers. Anglo is also reportedly trying to
sell De Beers in a separate process that could lead to a
restructuring of the diamond market. The company is under
unprecedented pressure from synthetics, political challenges, and
the drop in Chinese demand.
Polished sales were slow in April. High inflation and interest
rates impacted US spending. Chinese consumers preferred to invest
in gold rather than diamonds.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat goods — reflecting
round, D to H, IF to VS2 diamonds — dropped 3.5% in April and
almost 20% year on year. Prices for round, 1-carat, D to H, SI
diamonds increased 1% in April.
RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) Index April
Year to DateJan. 1, 2024, to May 1, 2024
Year on
YearMay 1, 2023, to May 1, 2024 RAPI 0.30 ct.
1,340
-3.6%
-5.5%
-16.8%
RAPI 0.50 ct.
2,041
-0.2%
3.1%
-20.7%
RAPI 1 ct.
5,746
-3.5%
-3.9%
-19.7%
RAPI 3 ct.
21,040
-2.5%
-4.5%
-12.5%
© Copyright 2024, Rapaport USA Inc.
The rough market was sluggish due to the weakness in polished.
Dealers struggled to make profits on most De Beers boxes on the
secondary market. April rough sales at Botswana’s state-owned
Okavango Diamond Company fell 68% year on year to $34.6 million. De
Beers reduced its 2024 production outlook by about 10%, forecasting
output of 26 million to 29 million carats.
Group of Seven (G7) sanctions on Russian diamonds impacted the
market. Ari Epstein’s resignation as CEO of the Antwerp World
Diamond Centre (AWDC) reflected controversy over the implementation
of European Union rules, which have caused delays at the city’s
customs office. Plans to make Antwerp the single inspection point
for all diamonds entering G7 countries faced opposition from across
the industry.
The trade’s focus shifted to the upcoming Las Vegas shows, with
hopes they would kick-start the wholesale market ahead of the
holiday season.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507558424/en/
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