US Diamond Imports Up for First Half of 2004
By
Tiffany Moore , Wednesday, August 02, 2006
June was busting out all over for diamond imports. So was the first half of 2004.
US polished imports rose an impressive 27% from $861 million last June to $1.2 billion this year. Overall six month January-June figures were more modest and showed a 15.4% increase from $5.82 last year to $6.72 in the corresponding period this year.
Granted, some of the rise can be attributed to price escalation caused by noticeable shortages of popular sizes, shapes and quality categories. But experts say the rise also represents a modest gain in caratage. In short, things are looking up—at least for demand.
Supply is another matter. Despite more new finds in Canada, China and Russia, as well as resumption of mining in Angola, immediate prospects for increased world diamond production commensurate to leaping global demand are not so rosy. Consequently, present shortages of fine goods are likely to remain a fact of life a while longer.