In the month of August 2011, United States showed an increase of 23 percent in its imports of polished diamonds over the same period last year, owing largely to the rise in polished diamond prices . The month accounted for $1.64 billion worth of polished diamond imports with prices increasing 46 percent to $1,534.44 per carat. The country’s volume of polished diamond imports took a 16 percent drop to 1.068 million carats. Exports of polished diamonds rose 22 percent to $1.38 billion. The month saw the country’s net polished imports (valued as the excess of imports over exports) rising 25 percent to $258 million.

The rough diamond trade form the U.S. in August 2011 reflected a flat performance I imports of rough diamonds which stood at $31 million. Exports of rough diamonds dropped 26 percent I value to $14 million. The month’s net rough imports (imports less exports) rose 42 percent to $17 million.

Overall, the country’s net diamond account (representing combined polished and rough imports less total exports) rose 24 percent to $241 million.