Polished diamond prices softened in March as trading volume was restricted by weak demand.
Diamond market sentiment was weak throughout the first quarter. Jewelry retailers avoided large inventory purchases and buying was focused on satisfying specific demand to fill existing orders, Rapaport reported.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat laboratory-graded diamonds fell 2.5 percent in March. RAPI for 0.30-carat diamonds declined 2.4 percent, while RAPI for 0.50-carat diamonds dropped 2 percent. RAPI for 3-carat diamonds fell 1.5 percent during the month.
During the first quarter of 2015, RAPI for 1-carat diamonds was flat but remained 14.4 percent below levels recorded one year ago as prices have been on a steady decline since the second quarter of 2014.
According to the Rapaport Monthly Report – April 2015, “Reducing Inventory,” polished prices declined as retailers were largely absent from the market during the first quarter of 2015. Polished dealers were focused on buying polished rather than on manufacturing rough as they sought to deplete their polished inventory.
Manufacturers have lowered their polished diamond production by approximately 30 percent by volume and 50 percent in value terms since the Diwali holiday in October 2014. Turnaround times at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have subsequently improved from three months to within two weeks as a lower volume of goods is being sent for grading.
Rough demand further deteriorated in March. De Beers sightholders refused approximately 30 percent of their allocated supply at the March sight, which closed with an estimated value of $500 million after refusals. De Beers prices were largely unchanged. ALROSA also reduced its supply and maintained stable prices at its March contract sale. Trading on the secondary market is weak as profit margins from rough are slim.
Jewelry retailers have refrained from their usual first quarter buying despite initial positive reports about gem-set jewelry sales during the Chinese New Year Spring Festival. As wholesale polished diamond demand is expected to remain weak during the second quarter, manufacturers are hesitant to ramp up production. Reduced supply is expected to stabilize the market and create shortages which will help future demand.
"Rough buyer price resistance is rational and healthy for the market as it protects cutter liquidity and profitability while reducing oversupply of diamonds during a period of relatively weak polished demand. Sightholders have done the right thing by refusing to overpay for rough to keep future allocations of rough diamonds. Mining companies are encouraged to lower rough prices to levels that ensure reasonable manufacturer profitability and a sustainable diamond trade," said Martin Rapaport, the chairman of the Rapaport Group.
