The third quarter of 2012 saw a decrease in the volume and the value of diamonds imported from and exported to Hong Kong, of both rough diamonds and polished diamonds, Diamond World reports. Hong Kong's net diamond account for the months July, August and September came to $1.367 billion, a 16% decrease.



Hong Kong imported 5.261 million carats of polished diamonds during the third quarter of the year, valued at $4.152 billion. These figures represented a 19% year-over-year decrease in volume and a 14% year-over-year decrease in value, although the average price per carat rose 6% to $789.30. Meanwhile, Hong Kong exported $2.689 billion worth of polished diamonds, a 20% decrease.



Hong Kong's trade in rough diamonds fared no better in the third quarter, according to Diamond World. Its imports of rough diamonds stood at $317.58 million and its exports of rough diamonds stood at $413.03 million – decreases of 47% and 12%, respectively.