Diamonds in Demand, Prices Firming

Staff -- JCK Online, 6/1/2005 2:00:00 AM

MARKET IN BRIEF:May 6, 2005…April saw a greater-than-expected decline in the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, which dropped more than five points from its March level. In spite of the decline, analysts state that the current level is still indicative of a healthy economy. However, dealers remain cautious, citing slow sales and pays as evidence of a less-than-robust retail climate.

In the U.S. diamond market, healthy demand plus shortages of better-made goods is keeping dealers busy trying to fill calls. As a result, prices continue to firm. Rounds remain the strongest seller but are closely followed by princess cuts. Thus, the price differential between round and well-made princess-cut has narrowed dramatically. Prices for pears and emerald cuts are also moving closer to that of rounds.

Diamond: ¼-ct. round

	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2
G	$1,200	$1,150	$975	$850
H	$1,100	$1,000	$925	$800
I	$1,000	$950	$850	$750
J	$950	$900	$800	$725

Diamond: ½-ct. round

	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2
G	$3,200	$2,800	$2,400	$2,000
H	$2,800	$2,400	$2,200	$1,800
I	$2,200	$2,100	$1,900	$1,700
J	$1,900	$1,800	$1,700	$1,600

Diamond: ¾-ct. round

	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2
G	$3,800	$3,600	$3,300	$2,900
H	$3,500	$3,300	$3,000	$2,800
I	$3,200	$3,000	$2,600	$2,200
J	$2,500	$2,300	$2,100	$2,000

Diamond: 1-ct. round

	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2
G	$5,900	$5,600	$4,800	$4,200
H	$5,000	$4,900	$4,500	$4,100
I	$4,100	$3,900	$3,700	$3,400
J	$3,700	$3,500	$3,100	$3,000

Fancy Pink Diamond: 1-ct. radiant cut

VS	SI	I1
$55K–$75K	$40K–$70K	$27K–$38K

Red Spinel

	Good	Fine
2 to under 3 cts.	$150–$400	$400–$850
3 to under 5 cts.	$250–$500	$500–$1,100

Blue Sapphire

	Good	Fine
1 to under 2 cts.	$125–$420	$420–$1,250
2 to under 3 cts.	$275–$630	$630–$1,750

Akoya Pearls (by the strand)

	Fine	Extra-Fine
18-in. strands, 6 to 6.5 mm	$650–$850	$1,000–$1,200

Nigerian Spessartite Garnet

	Good	Fine
1 to under 2 cts.	$75–$90	$90–$120
2 to under 3 cts.	$90–$125	$120–$160

Blue Zircon

	Good	Fine
1 to under 3 cts.	$20–$50	$50–$75
3 to under 5 cts.	$35–$75	$75–$150

Pink Topaz

	Good	Fine
1 to under 3 cts.	$100–$300	$300–$600
3 to under 5 cts.	$150–$350	$350–$700

Tanzanite

	Good	Fine
1 to under 2 cts.	$175–$325	$325–$425
2 to under 5 cts.	$250–$400	$400–$500

Round Tahitian Black Pearls

	Good	Fine
8 to 8.5 mm	$30–$60	$60–$120
10 to 10.5 mm	$35–$90	$90–$150

Prices shown represent actual wholesale memorandum prices paid by retail jewelers on a per-stone basis. All prices are per carat except for cultured pearls. No responsibility or liability is assumed for the consequences of the use of any information in this report, nor for errors or omissions. The terms Commercial, Good, Fine, and Extra-Fine are general classifications developed and used by The Guide. Each represents a range of individual quality grades. When they are used in conjunction with proper grading, one can accurately pinpoint a price from within the listed range.