The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™), published this week, shows that polished diamond prices stabilized in December “following a better-than-expected holiday season”, according to a Rapaport press release.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds rose 0.3% in December. RAPI for 0.30-carat diamonds rose 1.2%, while RAPI for 0.50-carat stones rose 0.6%. RAPI for 3-carat diamonds fell 1.7%. The 1-carat RAPI softened 0.8% in the fourth quarter and fell 5.3% for the full year. Diamond trading slowed in December, with US and Belgian dealers on vacation during the Christmas-to-New Year break.
As for the full year, the index “declined for the sixth consecutive year” . As for 2018, “dealers start 2018 with a better outlook than in previous years” owing to “booming stock markets, higher wages and lower taxes […]”. This, according to Rappaport, “will lead to more diamond demand, even as growth in online sales, rising synthetics supply and changing consumer habits contribute to uncertainty”.
