Imports of polished diamonds in the US in May 2014 decreased by 2.7% on a year-on-year basis, to $ 3.105 billion, which marked the first month of decline since 2009. The average cost of diamonds imported in May fell by 3.1% to $ 2,052 per carat. Meanwhile, polished exports jumped 32.7% to $ 1.97 billion, which led to a reduction in net polished imports by 33.5% to $ 1.135 billion. The average price of exported stones jumped by 29.3% to $ 2,110 per carat, the report said. Rapaport.
US imports of rough diamonds for the month increased by 15.1% to $ 61 million, while diamond exports jumped 213% to $ 47 million; net imports of rough diamonds in the US in May was $ 14 million, compared with $ 38 million in May 2013.
The net diamond account of the USA for May 2014 (the difference between the total imports of diamonds and diamonds) fell by 34.2% year-on-year to $ 1.149 billion.