Global polished diamond prices rose sharply during the second half of June, and are showing no signs of a pull-back. The price increases were driven by wide consumer demand and optimism among wholesalers.

The full analysis of the polished diamond prices is available to IDEX Online Research subscribers and IDEX Online members here.

Demand has been especially strong for polished diamonds smaller than one carat, as Asian buyers, mainly in India and China, are scooping up stones to meet the needs of a surging consumer markets.

Further, diamantaires were pleased with the results of the JCK Show in Las Vegas in June. Demand from U.S. retailers is picking up, and merchants are re-stocking their showcases. Despite the uneven economic recovery, most retail merchants are looking for a solid 2011 holiday selling season. As a result of this rosy forecast, merchants want to have ample merchandise to meet their customers’ needs.

Here are the pricing highlights for the month of June 2011 from the global polished diamond market, based on the IDEX Online Global Polished Diamond Price Index.

· The IDEX Online Global Polished Diamond Price Index averaged 138.9 in June, a record level well above any prior periods.

· The Index stood at about 145 at the end of the month, and has shown no signs of retreating.

· Polished diamond prices in June were up by 5.2% over May, based on the average prices for both months.

· Prices rose 9.1% between June 1 and June 30. At the beginning of the month, the IDEX Online Index stood at 133.6; it finished at 145.8 at the end of the month.

· Polished diamond prices in June were up 15.4% for the first six months of 2011.

· Polished diamond prices in June were up a dramatic 18.5% versus June of 2010.

· Prices of polished diamonds under one carat as well as four and five carat diamonds rose at an above-average pace.

The graph below summarizes polished diamond prices based on the IDEX Online Polished Diamond Price Index for the past twenty-four months.