Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Sep 13, 2018 10:59 AM

Hong Kong fair opens to steady traffic. Suppliers hoping Chinese demand will return after slowdown of past few months. Buyers focused on 0.30 to 1 ct., D-J, VS-SI GIA-graded diamonds, and testing price levels at start of the show. Melee weak. De Beers lets sightholders defer small and lower-value rough at $505M sight. Alrosa Aug. sale +14% to $295M amid shift to higher-value goods. Rough premiums fall to between 2% and 3% on secondary market. De Beers estimates 2017 global rough sales +2% to $16.6B, production +15% to $17.5B, diamond-jewelry demand +2% to $82B. Insight report notes millennials and Gen Z account for two-thirds of demand.Chinese firm Fosun buys 80% of IGI.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek Pears and Princesses at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

United States: Dealer market quiet, with many New York businesses closed Monday and Tuesday for Jewish New Year. Steady demand for 1 ct., G-J, VS-SI, GIA-graded diamonds. Rising expectations for holiday season. Jewelers modernizing their marketing with focus on omni-channel platforms.

Belgium: Local trading slow as focus turns to Hong Kong show. Rough market cautious after De Beers sight, with boxes selling at lower premiums on the secondary market.

Israel: Bourse was closed Sunday through Tuesday for Jewish New Year and will shut next week on Tuesday and Wednesday (September 18 to 19) for Yom Kippur. Trading in Ramat Gan quiet, with many suppliers exhibiting at the Hong Kong show.

India: Dealers and manufacturers cautious due to high rough prices, reduced bank lending and weaker rupee. Many businesses closed on Thursday for Ganesh Chaturthi festival. US demand improving as retailers prepare for the holiday season. Dealers focused on generating leads in the Far East during Hong Kong show. Local jewelry sales stable.

Hong Kong: Busy activity and steady traffic at the show. Few transactions in opening days as buyers assess prices and availability. Concerns about impact China-US trade war will have on consumer spending. Weaker yuan currency expected to affect tourist spending during October 1 Golden Week.

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Sep 20, 2018

Trading centers quiet during Jewish holiday period. Hong Kong show reflects uncertainty over US-China trade tensions, with Typhoon Mangkhut disrupting activity at the fair. Slower growth expected in 2H as Chinese consumer sentiment weakens ahead of Oct. 1 Golden Week. Steady demand for 0.30 to 1 ct., G-L, VS-SI diamonds. Rough market cautious, with lower supply for pre-Diwali manufacturing. Johan Dippenaar resigns as CEO of Petra Diamonds after FY sales +25% to $495M, loss of $203M vs. profit of $21M. The Rapaport Price List will not be published next Friday (Sep. 28), and Rapaport offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday (Sep. 24-25) for the Jewish festival of Sukkot.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek Pears and Princesses at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

18,96-karátový typ IIa Pink Legacy, patriaci rodine Oppenheimer, bude na predaj v Ženeve . Kameň je najväčší ružový diamant, ktorý mala Christies v predajnej akcii .
Odhadovaná predajná cena od 30 do 50 mil. USD.

Kua už nemôžem míňať penziu čo mi prinesie poštár , nech mám do aukcie.😁

Obrázky:

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Sep 27, 2018

Diamond market quiet over Jewish holidays and Hong Kong Moon festival. Mixed expectations for Oct. 1 Golden Week, as consumer sentiment reflects impact of US-China trade war and yuan currency depreciation (-9.5% since April 1 to $1/CNY 6.88). India remains slow, particularly for low-value, small diamonds. Steady demand for 0.30 to 1 ct., D-J, SI, RapSpec A3+ goods. De Beers starts sales of lab-grown collection. Bonhams sees strong prices at NY auction, with emerald-cut, 23.13 ct., I, I1 Harry Winston ring selling for $444,500 ($19,217/ct.). Christie’s expects $30M to $50M for rectangular, 18.96-carat, fancy-vivid pink at Nov. Geneva sale. Andrew Bone to step down as CEO of the RJC. Rapaport offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 1-2) for the Jewish holidays.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek Pears and Princesses at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts. Publication of the global market comments will resume October 4.

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Oct 4, 2018

Market sentiment cautious, with prices softening as 1 ct. RAPI -1.1% during quiet third quarter. Industry expecting stock-market wealth will boost holiday buying, as Dow hits new high of 26,951 (Oct. 3). Hong Kong jewelers hoping for rise in Chinese tourist spending during Golden Week. Indian dealers concerned hike in polished-diamond import duty from 5% to 7.5% will raise costs and reduce local demand. Sotheby’s HK garners $40M (65% by lot), with step-cut, 5 ct., fancy-vivid-blue, VS2 diamond ring selling for $13.8M ($2.8M/ct.). Bonhams sells 5.03 ct., fancy-pink, VS1 diamond for $2.9M ($583,551/ct.). India August polished exports +20% to $2.2B, rough imports -11% to $783M.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek Pears and Princesses at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

United States: New York trading slow as dealers return from Jewish holiday vacation. Larger wholesalers receiving steady orders as focus shifts to fourth-quarter season. Stable demand for 1 ct., G-J, SI-I1 diamonds for engagement ring market.D-F, IF-VVS goods weaker. Expectations rising for holiday sales, since consumer confidence hit 18-year high in September, according to the Conference Board.

Belgium: Polished and rough activity relatively quiet. Dealers expect trading to pick up in coming weeks before India’s Diwali break. US orders improving. China demand cautious after Hong Kong show. Rough sentiment mixed, with low, single-digit premiums on the secondary market.

Israel: Bourse reopened after eight-day Sukkot festival, but market relatively inactive. Dealers focused on US, with hope that orders will improve as the holiday season begins. 1 ct., G-J, VS-SI stable. Weaker demand for 0.30 to 0.50 ct., D-H, IF-SI diamonds. Rough prices softening. Dealers and manufacturers waiting for next week’s De Beers sight (Oct. 8 to 12) and subsequent Alrosa sale (Oct. 15 to 19) for better gauge of trading.

India: Polished market slow, with few foreign buyers. Local dealers cautious due to weaker currency, tighter bank lending, and recent hike of import duty. Buyers focused on SI- to I1-clarity goods. Fancy shapes slow. Small manufacturers not buying rough, and reducing polished production ahead of Diwali break, which begins November 7.

Hong Kong: Wholesale quiet. Local dealers shut for last week’s Autumn Moon festival and because Chinese buyers have taken vacation for October 1 National Day holiday. Jewelers buying less stock after yuan currency depreciated 3.7% in the third quarter. Retailers hoping for boost from Chinese tourists during the ongoing Golden Week. 0.30 to 0.50 ct., D-H, IF-VVS weak. 0.50 to 1 ct., D-H, VS-SI (3X, no-fluorescence) selling well.

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Oct 11, 2018

Polished trading back to normal after Jewish and Chinese festivals, but activity below previous Oct. levels. Expectations rising for US holiday season, with focus on improving omni-channel offerings. Retailers taking more goods on memo. Jewelers of America launching generic marketing campaign to boost consumer demand. LVMH 3Q jewelry and watch sales +10% to $1.2B. De Beers Jewellers 2017 sales -6% to $99M, net loss of $38M. Rough market cautious during De Beers sight due to weak rupee and tight manufacturing profits. Alrosa Sept. sales +8% to $332M, driven by large stones, while cheaper goods softened. Belgium Sept. polished exports -2% to $1.2B, rough imports -17% to $806M.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek fancy shapes at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Radiants improving. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

United States: Steady bridal sales supporting market. A lot of memo deals before the holiday season. Consistent inquiries for 1 ct., G-H, VS-SI, RapSpec A3+ diamonds. Fancy shapes moving, with shortage of Ovals and improving demand for Radiants. Melee suppliers under pressure, having to resell at lower prices following rupee depreciation.

Belgium: Trading stable and focused on goods below 1 ct. with GIA and HRD reports. Dealer activity cautious, with steady orders from jewelers ahead of the holiday season. Ovals and Pears selling well; demand growing for Princess and Cushion cuts. Rough market relatively quiet during De Beers sight.

Israel: Polished slower than usual for this time of year. Focus on US orders, but not much excitement for upcoming Israel Diamond Week in New York (Oct. 15 to 17). Dealers seeing buying opportunities in weaker Indian market in select categories. Melee and stars slow, and 0.30 to 0.50 ct., D-J, IF-VVS goods remain soft. 0.70 and 1 ct. RapSpec A3+ stable.

India: Slight improvement in trading, with more foreign buyers in Mumbai for Bharat Diamond Week (Oct. 8 to 10). Local dealers under pressure due to weak rupee (-14% since beginning of year to INR 74.27/$1 on Oct. 10). Smaller manufacturers closing factories early for Diwali as currency decline, bank caution and sluggish demand lead to tight liquidity. Some cutters also at risk after loaning to Surat textile company involved in $70 million bankruptcy. Jewelry sales improving ahead of Diwali festival, which begins Nov. 7.

Hong Kong: Market up from last week. More inquiries from China after Oct. 1 Golden Week. Robust Chinese tourist arrivals in Hong Kong and Macau during National Day holiday, despite concerns about how US-China trade war and yuan devaluation might impact consumer confidence. Steady demand for 1 ct., H-K, VS-SI diamonds

Stále rovnaká pesnička... back to normal, expectations rising, to boost consumer demand, demand improving, selling well,... čo v preklade znamená, že predajcovia budú asi v pekných sračkách🙂

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Oct 18, 2018 10:59 AM

Melee weak and prices softening as rupee depreciation (-8% in three months to INR 73.53/$1 on Oct. 18) impacts Indian demand. Threat of undisclosed synthetics also influencing jewelers to avoid melee inventory. US orders and memo for 0.70 to 1.99 ct. diamonds supporting the market. Sears files for bankruptcy, highlighting need for retailers to innovate, improve in-store and online customer engagement, and refresh product offering for holiday season. Michael Hill 1Q sales -9% to $80M. Rough trading cautious, with De Beers prices estimated -1% at $475M Oct. sight. Rio Tinto 3Q production -17% to 4.9M cts. US government guarantees Stanbic Bank $125M loan for Botswana manufacturing.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek fancy shapes at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Radiants improving. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

United States: Stable market as jewelers prepare for the holiday season. Prices for dossier goods firm, with dealers protecting profit margins after quiet third-quarter trading. Steady demand for 1 ct., G-J, SI-I1, GIA-graded diamonds. Smaller goods in uncertified parcels weak. A lot of items going out on memo.

Belgium: Polished market soft, but dealers optimistic for November and December. Consistent orders for 0.30 to 1.50 ct., G-H, VS-SI goods. Small stones slow. Improvement in high-end diamonds above 10 ct. Rough activity cautious, with De Beers boxes trading at lower premiums.

Israel: Sentiment weak due to low profitability and rising inventory levels. US orders stable, with high volume of commercial-quality goods on memo. Little excitement about Israel Diamond Week in New York (Oct. 15 to 17). Stable demand for 0.30 to 1 ct., F-J, VS-SI, RapSpec A3+ diamonds.

India: Drop in sentiment amid rupee depreciation and Surat bankruptcy rumors. Small-scale manufacturers under pressure as domestic demand for under-0.25 ct. goods declines. Steady US interest in SI-I1 diamonds. Fewer foreign dealers in the market than during last week’s Bharat Diamond Bourse buying event. Jewelers cautious ahead of Diwali festival as weak rupee inflates gold prices.

Hong Kong: Polished sector quiet and jewelry sales sluggish during shorter week that included the Chung Yeung Festival. Sentiment mixed, with some concerned about how US-China trade war and yuan depreciation could impact consumer demand and tourist spending. Encouraging initial reports about Oct. 1 Golden Week sales and ongoing wedding season. Tourist arrivals stable during busy holiday period.

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Oct 25, 2018 10:59 AM

Polished trading improving, with US holiday orders driving sales. Buyers looking for bargains in Mumbai as weak currency and tighter bank lending put pressure on Indian dealers. Surat factories closing early for Diwali, with large inventories of melee and 30-pointers. Innovative jewelers gaining market share as JBT reports 226 businesses closed and 51 opened in 3Q. China/Hong Kong jewelry retail better than expected, with gold sales driving Chow Tai Fook 2Q double-digit growth. Rough trading slow. Alrosa sales volume -11% to 6.7M cts., production +2% to 10.5M cts. De Beers sales volume -28% to 5M cts., production -5% to 8.7M cts. Lucara to launch sales using Clara system.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek fancy shapes at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Radiants improving. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

United States: Trading sluggish for this time of year. Single-stone market steady. Melee weak. Demand firm for large diamonds in lower qualities. High-end large stones stable. Jewelers preparing for holiday season, with a lot of goods on memo.

Belgium: Positive sentiment amid pre-holiday season trading. 1 to 2 ct., G-J, VS-SI selling well to satisfy US and European demand. Fancy shapes stable, with Ovals and Pears the best sellers. Rough market cautious as inventory levels rise before Diwali.

Israel: Market improving but there is concern that global slowdown and tight Indian liquidity will impact trading. Steady demand for 1 ct., G-H, VS-SI, RapSpec A3+ diamonds. Focus on US before holiday season, with Continental Buying Group (CBG) visiting Israel Diamond Exchange. Dealers to sell to Chinese consumers through AliExpress. Rough and polished buyers seeing opportunities in India as Surat manufacturers reduce production.

India: Stronger activity in Mumbai during India Diamond Week, with foreign buyers looking for goods before Nov. 7 Diwali break. Solid US orders for 1 ct., G-J, VS-SI diamonds. Chinese cautious and shifting to SI-I1 clarities. Small stones slow, but VVS stars and melee better. Small-scale manufacturers under pressure from currency depreciation, tighter bank lending and high rough prices. Reserved outlook for Diwali as rupee-based gold prices rise.

Hong Kong: Slight boost in trading, with stable demand for 0.50 to 1 ct., D-H, VS-SI goods. Gradual shift to lower price points, with increasing orders for SI clarities and fancy yellows. Jewelers holding large inventory and avoiding bulk purchases due to unfavorable exchange rates. Retail sector steady, despite uncertainty over trade war and weaker currency.

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment

Nov 1, 2018 10:59 AM

Rising expectations for holiday season as Conference Board’s US consumer confidence index hits 18-year high in October. Steady US demand for 1 ct., G-J, VS-SI, RapSpec A3+ diamonds, but polished prices softening amid India liquidity concerns. 1 ct. RAPI -0.9% in October. Rough market quiet, with factories closing for next week’s Diwali festival. Jewelers reducing in-store inventory, using technology to tap into suppliers’ stock and improve the customer experience. Letšeng mine 3Q average price -1% to $1,841/ct. Alrosa joins De Beers Tracr blockchain. Petra Diamonds appoints Varda Shine to board. The Rapaport Group wishes all our friends a happy, enlightening Diwali.

Fancies: Far East demand improving as Chinese consumers seek fancy shapes at better prices. US and European demand mixed. Ovals and Cushions are best sellers, followed by Emeralds and Pears. Radiants improving. Marquises and Princesses weak. Oversizes selling well. Steady demand for fine-quality 6 to 10 ct. Ovals, Pears and Emeralds, with prices firming for 3 to 5 ct. due to shortages. US supporting market for commercial-quality, medium-priced fancies under 1 ct. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and hard to sell, even at very deep discounts.

United States: Polished trading improves as holiday season approaches. Dealers focused on 0.70 to 1.50 ct., G-J, SI-I1, RapSpec A3+ diamonds. Buyers looking for bargains as India factories close in November. Jewelers avoiding unnecessary inventory and taking more goods on memo. Focus on fashion jewelry for the season, while bridal market remains stable.

Belgium: Mixed mood, with suppliers to the US doing well. Fewer Indian buyers in Antwerp due to upcoming Diwali holiday and tight liquidity in Mumbai market. Stable demand for 1 ct., F-J, VS-SI, RapSpec A3+ diamonds. Uncertified piqué goods improving. Rough trading quiet.

India: Cautious sentiment amid several bankruptcy rumors. Polished trading steady as dealers fill orders before the November 7 Diwali break. Consistent demand for SI-I1 clarities in all categories. Chinese buyers drive improvement in melee. Sales-and-distribution offices closing for one week over Diwali, and smaller Surat factories shutting for three-to-four weeks.

Israel: Steady activity, with dealers focused on filling US orders. Traders looking for buying opportunities in India before Diwali. Stable demand for 0.30 to 0.50 ct., D-J, VS, but prices under pressure due to oversupply. Melee being squeezed by shift to high-quality CVD. Fine-cut fancy shapes selling well.

Hong Kong: Slight improvement in trading. Steady demand for 0.30 to 0.70 ct., D-G, VVS-VS goods. 1 to 1.50 ct., G-K, VS-SI also moving well, but bigger sizes slower. Dealers discounting old stock to stimulate sales. Traders optimistic for November peak season, despite concerns over impact of US-China trade war on consumer spending.