Market Comments
Post Date: 15 Jun 2009 Viewed: 653
Price sensitive consumers driving better demand for commercial qualities with some shortages developing as old inventory sells out and new production has yet to enter market. Indian demand improving as vacation ends. Rough tender prices continue to rise for commercial items that produce polished below 1 ct. Michael Beaudry files chapter 11. De Beers Forevermark launches grading report. U.S. April polished imports -47% to $794 mil., polished exports -46% to $590 mil. Belgium May polished exports -40% to $662 mil., rough imports -58% to $406 mil. India May polished exports -31% to $888 mil., rough imports -36% to $589 mil. Israel May polished exports -55% to $463 mil., total diamond imports -63% to $332 mil. Australia 1Q diamond exports -33% to $78 mil., rough production doubles to 4.6 mil. cts. Ian Smillie quits Kimberley Process citing failure to address smuggling and development issues.