In November of this year, India imported $897.1 million worth of rough diamonds. That’s a 43.2 % year-over-year increase. By volume, imports rose 87.6 percent to 15.3 million carats for an average value of $58.64 per carat.



Over the last few months, in keeping with the trend, Indian diamond traders have been purchasing more and more rough diamonds. In October of this year, rough diamond imports rose 33.5 percent, compared to October 2008, to $607.77 million.



But while month-over-month imports in October declined by 11.9 percent, imports in November grew 47.6 percent from the previous month.



Rough diamond exports also increased, totaling $65 million for shipments of 1.87 million carats, rising 47.8 percent and 68.6 percent respectively.



India’s polished diamond market isn’t doing to badly either. The country saw a 123% rise in polished diamond exports this past November with Polished diamond imports totaling $901.4 million on shipments of 2.7 million carats, averaging $333.85 p/c.



That’s a neat 66.9 % growth in value and a 62.5 % growth in terms of volume.



Not a bad year at all, it would seem.