The United States imported 2 percent fewer polished diamonds at $1.59 billion in November, government data shows.
In volume terms, imports increased by 6 percent to 779,732 carats, although the average price per carat declined by 7 percent to $2,042.
Meanwhile, polished exports surged 25 percent to $1.7 billion, driving net polished imports to a negative $108.8 million versus a positive $260.7 million a year ago, Rapaport reported.
As for rough imports, they more than doubled to $72.3 million compared with $31.6 million a year ago, while rough exports jumped to $73.2 million from $19.8 million last year. Consequently, net rough imports slipped to a negative $900,000 versus positive $11.8 million a year back.
The U.S. net diamond account, reflecting the difference between net imports and exports, stood at negative $107.9 million compared with positive $248.9 million a year ago.
