The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2.9% increase in jewelry prices in the United States in February.
The rise in the consumer price index (CPI) for jewelry was 6.2% higher than a year before, Rapaport reported.
The increase followed a rise in polished diamond prices in February, with the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat, GIA-graded diamonds rising 0.3 percent.
RAPI for 0.30-carat diamonds advanced 0.4 percent and RAPI for 0.50-carat diamonds added 0.7 percent.
Other raw material prices have also risen in recent months, especially gold, which is up around 20% since the start of 2016 due to geopolitical concerns.
