Polished diamond prices fell in September as manufacturers were placed under increased pressure by tight liquidity and large inventories. There is steady U.S. and Chinese diamond demand but buyers are facing price sensitive consumers and are pushing for higher discounts. A buyers’ market prevails ahead of the holiday shopping season as prices continue to soften.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat laboratory-graded diamonds fell 1 percent during September. RAPI for 0.30-carat diamonds declined 1.5 percent, while RAPI for 0.50-carat diamonds dropped by 0.1 percent. RAPI for 3-carat diamonds fell 0.7 percent during the month.
RAPI for all sizes fell during the third quarter, including 0.30-carat to 0.49-carat diamonds, which had been a strong item in the past two years. Buyers have shifted to lower-quality, larger pointer-size diamonds.
According to the Rapaport Monthly Report – October 2014: “Buyers’ Market,” polished prices were influenced by both supply and demand factors.
There was a notable increase of goods available in the market, primarily as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) continues to work through its backlog and release more goods in time for the holiday season. RapNet – Rapaport’s Diamond Trading Network witnessed an 11 percent increase in the volume of diamonds listed on the trading platform during September.
The September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair brought strong visitor traffic but buyers were looking for specific items to fill orders and avoided making large inventory purchases. Suppliers who lowered their prices sold well. The show signaled that there is good demand for 0.50-0.90 ct. GIA dossiers but profitability is low for these goods, while demand for 0.30-carat to 0.49-carat diamonds has softened. High-end large diamonds are weak and there has been a general shift away from D-F, IF-VVS diamonds toward lower colors and clarities in all sizes.
Rough trading slowed in September following aggressive rough buying in July and August. Manufacturers have ramped up their factory output in order to have their polished inventory ready before the Diwali break that begins on October 23. Rough was trading at discounts to De Beers prices on the secondary market before the October sight, which takes place from October 6 to 10. The October sight is expected to be relatively small with De Beers expected to maintain relatively stable prices until the end of the year as prices on the secondary market soften.
Polished suppliers are hoping the fourth quarter holiday season will improve diamond trading and help ease liquidity concerns. However, there is no indication of a turnaround in trading conditions for now. Buyers sense that suppliers are under pressure to improve their cash flow and are accordingly pushing for higher discounts. Following a weak third quarter, the trade enters the holiday shopping season in an environment that clearly favors buyers.
