Rapaport Weekly Market Comment
Mar 10, 2022 10:00 AM By Rapaport News

Russian sanctions unlikely to reduce rough supplies since Indian firms are seeking alternative payment methods and can legally sell resulting polished to America. Sanctions are on payment methods and not on diamonds. Surging commodity prices and inflation are rocking markets. Gold breaks $2,000/ounce. Polished prices stabilizing as consumers battle higher gas and food costs. Rough market cooling as March auction prices decline amid uncertainty. Alrosa reducing its profile and has resigned from boards of Responsible Jewelry Council, Natural Diamond Council and Diamonds Do Good. De Beers Feb. sales +18% to $650M. Douglas Hucker steps down as CEO of American Gem Trade Association.

Fancies: Market robust. Good demand across all sizes. 1.20 to 3.99 ct., F-J, VS-SI is hottest category and seeing scarcities. 0.30 to 0.99 ct. improving in VS and better clarities. Fancies below 0.30 ct. showing significant gains since Diwali. Supply shortages supporting prices. Retailers offering broader product ranges as consumers seek alternative shapes. Growing interest in fancy-shape engagement rings. Rise in orders for Ovals, Pears, Emeralds, Princesses, long Radiants and Marquises. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Excellent shapes commanding premiums. Steady demand in China helping the market. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and difficult to sell.

United States: Sentiment mixed. Buyers looking to fill specific orders and making a lot of memo deals. Very few inventory purchases as caution over prices continues. Optimism among upscale jewelers is stimulating appetite for better-quality diamonds. Luxury brands gradually shifting toward US-manufactured polished, but not enough workers available to meet new demand.

Belgium: Ukraine crisis has dampened mood. Dealers focusing on US but seeing fewer orders than in January and February. Steady interest in European high-end jewelry. Suppliers holding polished prices firm due to steep rough costs. Rough trading stable. Secondary market seeing reduced premiums.

Israel: Caution rising due to Russian war. Dealers concerned prices don’t reflect geopolitical and economic risks. Major suppliers have good liquidity despite resistance from buyers and are maintaining discount levels. Fancy shapes doing well and offering better value than rounds. Marquises hot.

India: Market slowing amid global uncertainty. Local currency weakens to INR 76/$1. Buyers only making purchases when there is specific demand and when price is right. Many concerned about Alrosa supply. Polished production below capacity due to high rough costs. Sales of rounds decreasing. Fancy shapes moving well.

Hong Kong: Local Covid-19 outbreak denting activity. Retail traffic down as consumers stay at home. January sales of jewelry, watches, clocks and valuable gifts in Hong Kong up 7% year on year, but growth slower than in previous months. Chinese orders drop during low season. Stores looking to keep inventories small.

Financial Data
Metals
Gold $1,919.02 +0.18%

Silver $24.92 +0.25%

Platinum $1,020.78 +0.85%

Palladium $2,416.61 +3.36%

Currencies
Euro $1.11 +0.17%

Pound $1.32 -0.07%

Yuan($) 6.36 -0.13%

Rupee($) 75.99 +0.20%

Stocks
Signet Jewelers $80.15 -3.60%

Chow Tai Fook HKD 14.98 +3.31%

Chow Sang Sang HKD 11.62 -1.36%

Titan INR 1,869.60 -0.04%

Richemont CHF 118.60 +1.98%

LVMH €639.40 +1.52%

Swatch Group CHF 262.50 +2.10%

Anglo American GBX 2,991.50 +2.77%

Petra Diamonds GBX 106.00 -3.64%

Lucara Diamond CAD 0.66 -1.49%

Gem Diamonds GBX 60.00 +2.56%

Financial Data
Metals
Gold $1,920.98 +0.24%

Silver $24.77 +1.00%

Platinum $1,018.57 +0.01%

Palladium $2,448.71 +2.26%

Currencies
Euro $1.10 -0.12%

Pound $1.32 -0.20%

Yuan($) 6.37 +0.04%

Rupee($) 76.15 +0.13%

Stocks
Signet Jewelers $82.10 +2.43%

Chow Tai Fook HKD 14.80 +0.82%

Chow Sang Sang HKD 11.62 -1.36%

Titan INR 1,869.60 -0.04%

Richemont CHF 118.40 +1.98%

LVMH €643.90 +1.69%

Swatch Group CHF 262.40 +0.73%

Anglo American GBX 2,991.50 +2.77%

Petra Diamonds GBX 114.00 +5.56%

Lucara Diamond CAD 0.66 0.00%

Gem Diamonds GBX 61.80 +4.39%

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment
Mar 24, 2022 10:30 AM By Rapaport News
Polished prices under pressure. Russian sanctions, China Covid-19 wave, US inflation, and hike in interest rates impacting demand. Polished inventory rising. Buyers lack urgency and expect further price declines. Suppliers reducing prices after 2022 surge. Melee and goods below 0.30 ct. weak. 1 ct. stable. Investment-quality diamonds waking up. Secondary rough market softening after speculative Jan.-Feb. Alrosa clients finding ways to pay for Russian goods despite sanctions. Signet Jewelers 2021 revenue +50% to $7.8B, profit of $770M; company halts trade in Russian-origin goods. Alrosa shuts US office.

Fancies: Market slowing with supply shortages supporting prices. 1.20 to 3.99 ct., F-J, VS-SI is hottest category. Oval is leading shape, followed by Emerald, Pear, Cushion and Marquise. Retailers offering broader product ranges as consumers seek alternative cuts. Growing interest in fancy-shape engagement rings. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Excellent shapes commanding premiums. Chinese demand helping the market. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and difficult to sell.

United States: Trading seasonally slow in cautious market. Commercial-quality melee prices softening after previous upbeat trend. Steady demand from high-end jewelers for small collection goods in D-F colors. Memo calls driving cert trade. Very little buying for inventory. Major retailers’ sales continuing following stellar 2021 performance.

Belgium: Market losing its January-February buzz. Suppliers willing to compromise on price as demand weakens. Dealers hesitant to buy amid expectations of further declines. Large stones above 5 ct. doing well. Rough trading softening amid Russia supply concerns.

Israel: Mood changing amid geopolitical and economic headwinds. Shift in market direction fueling uncertainty. Prices down but still above February levels. Small stones below 0.30 ct. sluggish. Buyers looking for goods but unsure about prices after recent declines.

India: Sentiment weakening as global challenges dampen demand. Fewer orders for parcels of loose stones. Slowdown in D-G, IF-VS1 qualities. Steady interest in 1 ct. and larger goods in lower colors and clarities. Little movement in fancy shapes. Rough prices cooling. India hopeful about completing rupee-ruble payment deal with Russia.

Hong Kong: Covid-19 outbreak and seasonal lull reducing activity. Local luxury sales halted as government extends social distancing rules. Retailers and wholesalers maintaining low staff numbers as China border closure continues to restrict business. Some mainland demand for 0.30 to 0.70 ct., D-J, VG+ goods.

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment
Mar 31, 2022 12:30 PM By Rapaport News
Diamond market sluggish due to US economic caution and China Covid-19 restrictions. Polished price decline fueling uncertainty. Buyers waiting for further decreases. Suppliers willing to negotiate to raise liquidity and reduce inventory of less desirable goods. Rough market restrained amid decline in prices on secondary market. De Beers maintains stable prices at March sight. Split in Responsible Jewellery Council over Russia sanction policy; executive director Iris Van der Veken quits; Pandora and Richemont leave over Alrosa membership. Tiffany & Co. halts purchasing of polished from Russian rough. UK government places sanctions on Alrosa.

Fancies: Market slowing with supply shortages supporting prices. 1.20 to 3.99 ct., F-J, VS-SI is hottest category. Oval is leading shape, followed by Emerald, Pear, Cushion and Marquise. Retailers offering broader product ranges as consumers seek alternative cuts. Growing interest in fancy-shape engagement rings. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Excellent shapes commanding premiums. Chinese demand helping the market. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and difficult to sell.

United States: Jewelry sales steady, capping off strong 1Q. Outlook for 2H uncertain amid economic slowdown and inflation worries. Jewelers focused on memo supply and avoiding large inventory purchases. Shift to lower price points, with good demand for L-to-M colors. Fancies selling well but difficult to find top-quality stones.

Belgium: Mixed sentiment. Rough trading steady, with prices on secondary market softening. Polished buyers growing cautious. Small stones weak; 1 to 3 ct. steady; large diamonds in demand. Dealers waiting for positive signals from US and worried about retail backlash on Russian diamonds.

Israel: Weak sales fueling concerns about extended slowdown. US buyers refraining from large orders, and Chinese market resisting current price levels. Significant drop in demand for stones below 0.30 ct. Prices of other categories declining but still high relative to past year. Rough trading quiet.

India: Polished trading slow amid market uncertainty. Fewer US orders than in January-February. Domestic market also quiet. Manufacturers buying rough but maintaining lower polished production. Some delays in Alrosa supply due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Prices of small rough continue to decline.

Hong Kong: Covid-19 restrictions curbing sentiment among businesses and consumers. Many jewelers closing stores and shifting to e-commerce. Luxury market suffering from long-term absence of tourist shoppers. Sales of jewelry, watches, clocks and valuable gifts fall 34% year on year to HKD 2.21 billion ($282 million) in Feb. China jewelry sales also slow amid lockdown in big cities.

Metals
Gold $1,923.27 +0.13%

Silver $24.41 -0.12%

Platinum $951.47 -0.77%

Palladium $2,120.98 +0.56%

Currencies
Euro $1.09 -0.26%

Pound $1.31 -0.01%

Yuan($) 6.36 +0.08%

Rupee($) 76.00 -0.03%

Stocks
Signet Jewelers $69.35 -2.08%

Chow Tai Fook HKD 14.04 -3.44%

Chow Sang Sang HKD 11.62 -1.36%

Titan INR 1,869.60 -0.04%

Richemont CHF 115.35 -5.72%

LVMH €636.20 -3.74%

Swatch Group CHF 254.20 -3.35%

Anglo American GBX 2,991.50 +2.77%

Petra Diamonds GBX 126.00 -1.56%

Lucara Diamond CAD 0.66 -0.76%

Gem Diamonds GBX 59.60 -2.61%

Financial Data
Metals
Gold $1,930.58 -0.72%

Silver $24.11 -1.40%

Platinum $927.14 -0.97%

Palladium $2,235.69 -0.42%

Currencies
Euro $1.07 -0.61%

Pound $1.28 -0.60%

Yuan($) 6.51 +0.82%

Rupee($) 76.51 +0.18%

Stocks
Signet Jewelers $75.35 -6.26%

Chow Tai Fook HKD 13.06 +0.62%

Chow Sang Sang HKD 11.62 -1.36%

Titan INR 1,869.60 -0.04%

Richemont CHF 117.35 -2.61%

LVMH €639.60 -2.11%

Swatch Group CHF 256.30 -3.10%

Anglo American GBX 2,991.50 +2.77%

Petra Diamonds GBX 126.00 -1.56%

Lucara Diamond CAD 0.60 -4.76%

Gem Diamonds GBX 66.00 +0.30%

Rapaport Weekly Market Comment
Apr 28, 2022 10:00 AM By Rapaport News
News: Market sentiment mixed. US retail and high-end jewelry sales strong and supporting the trade. China slow. Dealer caution stemming from inflation concerns, China Covid-19 lockdowns, and Russia-Ukraine war. Expectations that Russian sanctions will lead to shortages, especially in smaller goods. UK imposes 35% import duty on Russian diamonds. De Beers 1Q production +25% to 8.9M cts., sales volume -41% to 7.9M cts.; signs exploration deal in Angola. Gem Diamonds 1Q revenue +19% to $52M, Letšeng average price +12% to $1,831/ct. Kering “other” sales, including jewelry and watches, +35% to $1.1B. Sotheby’s HK sells step-cut, 15.10 ct., fancy vivid blue De Beers diamond for $57.5M ($3.8M/ct.).

Fancies: Market slowing. Supply shortages supporting prices. 1.20 to 3.99 ct., F-J, VS-SI is hottest category. Oval is leading shape, followed by Emerald, Pear, Cushion and Marquise. Retailers offering broader product ranges as consumers seek alternative cuts. Growing interest in fancy-shape engagement rings. Oversizes trading at higher prices than usual. Excellent shapes commanding premiums. Chinese demand helping the market. Off-make, poorly cut fancies illiquid and difficult to sell.

United States: Market mood improved. Stronger sell-through of memo goods. Retail steady, with positive expectations for Mother’s Day jewelry sales. Dealers struggling to replace sold inventory amid shortages and price uncertainty. Melee improving.

Belgium: Polished trading stable after Passover and Easter holidays. Business happening, but not booming. Dealers receiving calls for specific items; very few bulk inventory orders. Positive expectations for GemGenève show (May 5-8). Large stones robust. Rough trading quiet ahead of next week’s De Beers sight (May 3-6).

Israel: Uncertainty about market direction after Passover break. Focus on US; more dealers traveling to meet customers. Steady demand for 1 to 1.50 ct., G-J, VS-SI goods. 0.30 to 0.39 ct. certs weak. Rough trading cautious as secondary market premiums continue to soften.

India: Market slow amid global pressures. Liquidity tight due to sluggish demand and some payment delays. Manufacturers limiting rough purchases due to uncertainty over Russia situation. Dossiers weak; better demand for 1 ct. and larger, H-I, SI, certified goods with no fluorescence. Weak rupee creating concerns as cost of imports increases.

Hong Kong: Trading seasonally quiet, with Covid-19 outbreak dampening sentiment. Government lifting restrictions as infections drop. Most diamond categories slow. Retail jewelry sluggish despite stimulus consumption vouchers. Shanghai lockdowns hurting mainland China jewelry sales, with retailers pausing inventory purchases.

Financial Data
Metals
Gold $1,868.67 -0.02%

Silver $22.59 +0.19%

Platinum $961.18 +1.05%

Palladium $2,187.41 +1.41%

Currencies
Euro $1.05 -0.03%

Pound $1.25 +0.14%

Yuan($) 6.61 -0.02%

Rupee($) 76.52 -0.05%

Stocks
Signet Jewelers $73.67 +4.94%

Chow Tai Fook HKD 13.32 +0.30%

Chow Sang Sang HKD 11.62 -1.36%

Titan INR 1,869.60 -0.04%

Richemont CHF 112.50 +0.49%

LVMH €600.50 -1.01%

Swatch Group CHF 249.40 +0.32%

Anglo American GBX 2,991.50 +2.77%

Petra Diamonds GBX 113.00 -9.60%

Lucara Diamond CAD 0.63 +1.61%

Gem Diamonds GBX 59.90 +1.18%

Cena zlata mierne klesá, ale ceny tovarov stúpajú, zrejme nenažranosť firiem má svoje čaro...😉

a my ostatní smrtelníci si jen domýšlíme, co jsi vlastně chtěl svojí divnou poznámkou říct...