US Polished Imports Slump in April

The US polished diamond trade slowed in April, with imports declining and exports stable.

The drop in import value reflects both a lower volume and average price.

Polished imports volumes 682,140 carats -9% Average price of polished imports $2,193/carat -12%

The US, the world’s largest diamond retail market, is a net importer of polished.

As such, net polished imports representing polished imports minus polished exports will usually be a positive number.

Net rough imports calculated as rough imports minus rough exports will also generally be in surplus.

The nation has no operational diamond mines but has a manufacturing sector, so normally ships more rough in than out.

The net diamond account is total rough and polished imports minus total exports.

It is the US’s diamond trade balance, and shows the added value the nation creates by importing and ultimately consuming diamonds.

Source: Diamonds.net