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Diamond price movements from October to December 2020 provide “reasons for optimism,” a new analysis by fintech company UNI states.
According to the firm, retail demand trended positively, having first been propped up by an uptick in consumer optimism with the relaxation in covid-related flight restrictions during the third quarter, and then the holiday season demand.
In UNI’s view, these two events helped stabilize and ultimately improve average prices for diamonds. However, the work of diamond miners also played a role.
Prudent upstream strategies by De Beers and Alrosa helped mitigate stress in the pipeline while fueling consumer demand
“Prudent upstream strategies by De Beers and Alrosa, which reduced pressure on diamond manufacturers while protecting the price of rough diamonds, coupled with marketing initiatives by the Natural Diamond Council, which focused on the need to reinforce personal relationships during times of stress and crisis, helped mitigate stress in the pipeline while fueling consumer demand,” the analysis reads. “This restored a sense of calm in the diamond industry.”
UNI’s numbers show that, on average, price changes during the quarter were moderate but in a positive direction. The average price of round diamonds increased by 0.79%, while the average price of fancy-cut diamonds rose by 1.15%. Yet, the growth was not uniform in either of the two categories, with significant differences in the various size groups within each category.
The categories showing the largest price gains included smaller stones and 5-carat gems, while 4-carat diamonds fell by 2.75% on average. Prices in the popular 1-carat category improved only slightly, by 0.21%.
When it comes to fancy-cut diamonds, the company found that the picture was quite different, with the highest growth registered in the larger stone categories like 5-carat stones, which showed 4.37% appreciation.
