New York – Prices for 1-carat and 3-carat stones were down about 2 percent in November as suppliers, strapped by a lack of liquidity, lowered prices in an effort to generate cash.
Prices of 0.30-carat and 0.50-carat diamonds also fell approximately 2 percent month-over-month, according to the RapNet Diamond Index for November.
Year-to-date, prices of 0.30 carat stones have fallen 3 percent while 1-carat polished prices have declined 8 percent and 3-carat diamond prices 5 percent. The only diamonds on the RapNet Diamond Index to show any price appreciation this year have been half-carat stones. Prices have risen 2 percent year-to-date for these goods.
According to Rapaport’s monthly report, “Lower Prices,” diamond dealer and manufacturer sentiment remains “weak.” Though U.S. demand is stable, it is subdued in Far East markets due to economic and political uncertainties.
