Rapaport TradeWire February 18, 2021

February 18, 2021

February 18, 2021

RAPAPORT MARKET COMMENT

Polished dealers optimistic. Positive momentum amid busy Valentine’s Day in US and initial reports of robust Chinese New Year season. Asian market shut for lunar festival. E-commerce driving growth; online accounting for nearly 25% of total retail in China. Kering 2020 jewelry sales weak in Europe, strong in Asia. Brands gaining market share in India, with Titan Company FY3Q sales +17% to $1.1B, profit +12% to $73M. Rough trading stable as cutters maintain production levels. Petra Diamonds FY1H revenue -8% to $178M, profit of $2.7M vs. loss of $10.2M a year earlier. India Jan. polished exports +9% to $1.8B, rough imports +65% to $1.3B.

RAPNET DIAMOND INDEX (RAPI^™)

Weekly

Monthly

Y2Y

0.30 ct

0.19%

0.53%

-1.72%

0.50 ct

-0.05%

-0.40%

9.79%

1.00 ct

0.01%

-0.07%

6.35%

3.00 ct

-0.57%

-1.17%

6.07%

The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) is the average asking price in hundred $/ct. of the 10 percent best priced diamonds, for each of the top 25 quality round diamonds (D-H, IF-VS2, GIA-graded, RapSpec-A3 and better) offered for sale on RapNet - Rapaport Diamond Trading Network.

Market Reports

United States: Strong engagement ring sales during Valentine’s Day...

Belgium: Favorable supply-demand balance fueling confidence...

Israel: Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) lobbying to become a free-trade zone...

India: Suppliers concentrating on American orders as China remains quiet during post-holiday period...

Hong Kong: More than half of China’s 2021 retail revenue will come from online purchasing, eMarketer predicts...

The Impact of Technology

WITH The Rapaport Diamond Podcast

The fifth installment in Rapaport’s technology series features four companies making an impact through new, tech-driven features. Their executives explain how innovation is empowering growth.

How to Operate as an Online-Only Store

WITH Esther Fortunoff

As e-commerce gains momentum, jeweler Esther Fortunoff explains the pluses and pitfalls of ditching brick-and-mortar.

UPS AND DOWNS

Wealthy Buying Jewelry During Exclusive House Calls

Alluvial Miners Outline Way to Save Their Industry

Suit: Chicago Jeweler Allowed Rolex Sales to Gray Market

Namdia CEO Faces Disciplinary Hearing

WEEKLY NEWS

industry

Dubai Virus Surge Creates Snag for Rough Tenders

The success of the emirate’s diamond market depends on whether Indian buyers continue to make the journey.

China’s Diamond Market on Path to Recovery

How well has the prominent Asian country weathered the crises of the past year, and what are its prospects for growth?

Fancy-Color Price Index Sees Slight Decline

Yellow diamonds relatively stable in the fourth quarter.

retail

US Stimulus Boosts January Retail Sales

Turnover rose 7% year on year, NRF says.

China Buoys Kering Jewelry Sales in 2020

Boucheron and Qeelin both performed well in the country, but lagged in Europe.

Titan Enjoys Diwali Boost to Sales and Profit

Indian retailer’s revenue rises 17% in important third fiscal quarter.

mining

Gahcho Kué Stays Shut as Covid-19 Cases Rise

A total of 15 employees have been infected at De Beers’ and Mountain Province’s Canadian site.

Petra Returns to Profit as Debt Deal Nears

Miner reports $2.7 million for first fiscal half following $10.2 million loss last year.

Angola Finds Partner for New Diamond Mine

Endiama signed a joint-venture agreement with trade and investment group Gemcorp to develop Mulepe alluvial site.

Miners See Solid Rough Demand at January Tenders

Alrosa, Diamcor and Lucapa report strong opening sales for 2021.

general

South African Diamantaire Louis Lipchin Dies

Industry stalwart is remembered for helping others in the trade.

The Importance of Circular Business Models

Reusing waste products and materials can deliver ecological, societal and reputational benefits for the industry.

India Polished Trade Strengthens at Start of Year

Exports up 9% in January; rough imports jump.

FINANCE

Diamond Industry Stock Report

US retail stocks fell as investors feared strong retail sales could cause Congress to delay passing a third stimulus bill. Macy’s (-4%) and Signet (-4%) both slipped. Walmart (+12%) bucked the trend as traders bet the retailer would report strong quarterly earnings. Chow Tai Fook (+6%), Chow Sang Sang (+3%) and Luk Fook (+3%) rose on the back of a recovery in China, while Kering (-3%) was hampered by disappointing 2020 figures. Mining shares saw mixed results. Lucara (+11%), Mountain Province (+9%), Rio Tinto (+9%) and Anglo American (+6%) all grew, but Lucapa (-7%), Alrosa (-6%) and Gem Diamonds (-6%) lost ground.