Japan imported $59.3 million worth of diamonds in March according to the Customs Bureau of Japan’s Finance Ministry. Polished diamond imports decreased by 21% in March 2009 as compared to $75.3 million in the parallel month a year earlier. Diamond imports by volume rose 26% to 217,956 carats, but the value per carat decreased by 37% to $272.

Diamond imports from all of Japan’s major sources decreased during the month with the exception of Hong Kong. Imports from the latter increased by 88% to $10.5 million. Imports from India decreased by 15% to $22.5 million, while imports from Belgium dropped by 41% to $11.1 million and from Israel by 34% to $6.5 million.

During this year’s first quarter, Japan’s diamond imports dropped by 19% to $174.3 million. However, there was a 7% growth in volume terms to 508,577 carats.

Japan’s gold jewelry imports decreased by 37% in March to $51.5 million, and by 35% to $138.9 million in the year’s first three months. Platinum jewelry imports dropped by 31% to $35.9 million in March and by 26% to $89.7 million for the year to date.

Japan’s imports of rubies, sapphires and emeralds decreased by 36% to $1.9 million in March.