The largest exporter of polished diamonds from Israel in 2003 is L.L.D. Diamonds Ltd., owned by Lev Leviev, with $570 million in exports, up from $514 million in 2002, reports the Israel Diamond Controller’s Office in the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

It’s the third straight year that L.L.D. Diamonds topped the list of polished diamond exporters, which is published annually by the Israel Diamond Controller’s Office.

Second on the list is Schachter & Namdar Polishing Works whose exports dropped from $441 million last year to $417 million in 2003. In the next three places are Fabrikant & Salant Diamonds Ltd., whose exports remained at $200 million, Espeka Diamonds (Israel) Ltd., with $128 million in exports compared to $141 million the previous year, and A.Dalumi Diamonds Ltd., with $116 million in polished diamond exports, up from $103 million in 2002.

According to Israel Diamond Controller Udi Sheintal, polished diamond exports of the top 30 Israeli companies totalled $2.694 billion, or 49% of Israel’s total exports. Net exports of polished diamonds from Israel increased 6% in 2003 to equal $5.533 billion.

JCK