Not another variant! Just as we were climbing up the ladder of economic recovery, the COVID-19 global pandemic is proving once again that it isn’t leaving us any time soon. However, what does this mean for the natural diamond industry? There has been an increase in lab-grown diamond adopters and a decrease in consumers’ budgets when it comes to spending on luxury goods such as diamonds and/ or diamond jewelry. How have the recent changes in the economy had an impact on the natural diamond industry? Let’s take a closer look at the Top 5 Popular Diamond Shapes and state of natural diamond prices for December 2021:
Round diamonds continue to be the most popular shape of diamonds on the market making up 78.57% (popularity) and slightly increasing in popularity since November 2021. Princess has not made the Top 5 Popular Diamond Shapes for four months in a row despite traditionally being the second most popular shape of diamond pre-COVID and it doesn’t seem like it will be making a comeback anytime soon. Oval continues to sit in second place making up 6.o2% (popularity) and has slightly increased in popularity since last month. Cushion remains in third place making up 4.25% (popularity). Emerald has lost fourth place to Pear although both shapes remain in the Top 5 Popular Diamond Shapes.
The table below gives you the rundown and details of the changes for the last three months.
| Diamond Price Changes from 10/1/2021 to 12/1/2021 | |||
| Diamond Carat Sizes | 10/1/2021 | 11/1/2021 | 12/1/2021 |
| 0.0 – 0.5 | -4 % ↓ | -4 % ↓ | 1 % ↑ |
| 0.5 – 1.0 | -3 % ↓ | -2 % ↓ | 0 % |
| 1.0 – 2.0 | -1 % ↓ | 0 % | 1 % ↑ |
| 2.0 – 3.0 | 0 % | 1 % ↑ | 1 % ↑ |
| 3.0 – 4.0 | -1 % ↓ | 0 % | 1 % ↑ |
| 4.0 – 99 | 0 % | 0 % | 3 % ↑ |
This December the average price per carat for a round diamond of 1 – 1.19 carat G color VS1 clarity is $8,232 compared to November 2021 which was an average price of $8,478. The average price per carat for round diamonds has slightly decreased in the past month.Â
The current average and lowest prices per carat are shown in PriceScope’s diamond price charts by carat and their corresponding color and clarity.
We advise consumers to keep in mind that cut quality and vendor services such as upgrades and returns can make a significant difference in the price point when shopping for loose diamonds.
PriceScope has been collecting retail diamond prices since 2007 of over 500,000 diamonds. PriceScope diamond price chart page shows the full diamond price charts for rounds and other fancy shapes. We update the diamond prices on a monthly basis. Keep an eye out for January’s diamond prices.Â
Will the holiday season have a positive impact on the price of natural diamonds or are many diamond lovers being conservative with their shopping behavior this season? Whether you’re actively shopping for natural diamonds or simply browsing – Check out the PriceScope Diamond Search.
By Andrey Pilipchak
Rapaport:Â
Rapaport Weekly Market Comment
Polished trading driven by last-minute US holiday orders and preparations for Chinese New Year. Retail emphasis on omni-channel, using digital to drive store traffic. Diamantaires satisfied with Dec. orders and overall 2021 results.
India’s Polished Exports Hit Four-Year High
India’s polished-diamond exports jumped 45% year on year to $2.56 billion in October, the highest since September 2017, according to recent data from the country’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The increase reflected US holiday demand, as well as the Indian manufacturing sector’s pre-Diwali spike in activity.
US Polished Imports See Gentler Rise
US polished-diamond imports climbed 7% year on year to $1.43 billion in September, a slimmer increase than in the last few months, according to recent data from the US Department of Commerce. The average price of shipments increased, but the volume fell.
IDEX:Â
IDEX Price Report for 1 December: Price Gains Outweigh Losses
November was a busy month for rounds and fancies. There was more movement than usual in both directions, but prices overall were up.
Edahn Golen – Diamond Research and Data:
US Holiday Jewelry Sales Predicted to Rise 40%
Diamonds played a completely different, almost mirror-image role. First, it was diamonds that were affected by jewelry sales, not the other way around. Once demand picked up, and wholesale inventories shrank, polished diamond prices started to soar. With the US being the biggest consumer of diamonds, the diamond industry benefited from this rise in demand.
Wall Street Journal:
New Trust to Offer Institutional Investors Greater Access to Diamond Market
Diamond Standard has created the first regulator-approved investment product tied to precious stones.
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