The FCRF data suppliers are 24 of the most influential fancy color diamond companies in the market. Among these companies are manufacturers, traders and other specialists, each representing a different segment of the fancy color niche. The data suppliers, in addition to being members of the FCRF, are responsible for providing high quality pricing data every quarter in order to generate the Fancy Color Diamond Index (FCDI). The interviews below provide insights on the quarterly index readings.
Data Suppliers: Index Feedback
Name
David Shara
Company
Optimum Diamonds
Dealing in Fancy Color Since
1999
Location of Offices
New York
Fancy Color Price Category
Medium to High
In the last few quarters we see quite a different price behavior between yellow fancy color diamonds and the rest of the colors. Why do you think this is happening?
Several of the major brands decided to enhance their presence in fancy color diamonds, especially in certain categories of yellow diamonds. These heavy demands on the market drove prices up over the last 12 months and severely diminished supplies of polished yellow diamonds. In addition, several of the major manufacturers saw these increased demands and bought up large stockpiles of yellow rough, further increasing the price. We also saw less rough coming from Russia further diminishing the overall rough supply of yellow to the market. All of These factors combined to drive the price up for the foreseeable future.
Name
Harsh Maheshwari
Company
Kunming International Ltd (Kunming Diamonds)
Dealing in Fancy Color Since
2002
Location of Offices
Hong Kong, USA, Japan, Thailand
Fancy Color Price Category
Low to High
In the last few quarters we see quite a different price behavior between yellow fancy color diamonds and the rest of the colors. Why do you think this is happening?
Yellows have finally received it’s true value in the market, the decades of creating awareness in the fancy color space has given importance. There are a lot more players (suppliers and customers) today than 5 years ago, and a lot more end consumers wanting something different, beyond colorless diamonds.
Honestly the idea of rarity, difficulty of supply, and high demand is perpetually going to be the case in fancy colors. But there are many small elements that lead to large results such as this.
The trend and need of the hour is the traceability and country of origin in our industry, and in fancy colors, yellow diamonds are easy entrants as well as easier than others to get the traceability option.
Honestly the idea of rarity, difficulty of supply, and high demand is perpetually going to be the case in fancy colors. But there are many small elements that lead to large results such as this.
The trend and need of the hour is the traceability and country of origin in our industry, and in fancy colors, yellow diamonds are easy entrants as well as easier than others to get the traceability option.
Q1 2023
Name
Shai Balachsan
Company
DBS Diamonds Inc.
Dealing in Fancy Color Since
2011
Location of Offices
LA, NY, Tel Aviv
Fancy Color Price Category
Low to High
I’d like to ask you about the fourth consecutive quarter increase in the price of yellow fancy color diamonds.
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
The popularity of yellow diamonds has grown, mainly due to a change in trends from the major brands like Tiffany and Cartier, who, along with increasing demand from China, have been promoting yellow diamonds in all categories.
Naturally, this has led to a bigger demand for rough. The trend has trickled down and is causing increased demand for yellow diamonds across the retail diamond industry.
Naturally, this has led to a bigger demand for rough. The trend has trickled down and is causing increased demand for yellow diamonds across the retail diamond industry.
Manufacturers and dealers are increasingly being required to add the origin of the rough when selling it downstream. How will this impact the acquisition of rough from places like Russia, Zimbabwe, and Liberia?
Unfortunately, there is still rough coming from these countries despite all of the restrictions. Most of it seems to be going through Dubai and being mixed in with other rough. From what I’ve seen, controlling it seems impossible.
Name
Nir Sela
Company
Nir's Diamonds LTD, Moussaieff Jewelers
Dealing in Fancy Color Since
1995
Location of Offices
Israel, London
Fancy Color Price Category
Low to High
I’d like to ask you about the fourth consecutive quarter increase in the price of yellow fancy color diamonds.
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
Most of the price increase is influenced by demand. The price increase is mainly in specific categories.
The increase in those categories is moderately driving up the price of other fancy color diamonds.
Russia is not a major source of fancy color diamonds the way it is for colorless stones.
Its decline in sales is not the main reason for the rise in fancy color prices.
The increase in those categories is moderately driving up the price of other fancy color diamonds.
Russia is not a major source of fancy color diamonds the way it is for colorless stones.
Its decline in sales is not the main reason for the rise in fancy color prices.
Manufacturers and dealers are increasingly being required to add the origin of the rough when selling it downstream. How will this impact the acquisition of rough from places like Russia, Zimbabwe, and Liberia?
I don't work with Zimbabwe or Liberia, and after the sanctions, I stopped working with Russia, so I don't know about rough acquisition from those countries.
Name
Darshit Hirani
Company
P. Hirani Exports LLP
Dealing in Fancy Color Since
1991
Location of Offices
India
Fancy Color Price Category
Medium to High End
I’d like to ask you about the fourth consecutive quarter increase in the price of yellow fancy color diamonds.
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
Reduced supply is a major cause of the price increases. Certain segments of the trade also saw increased buying, which caused prices to increase.
Manufacturers and dealers are increasingly being required to add the origin of the rough when selling it downstream. How will this impact the acquisition of rough from places like Russia, Zimbabwe, and Liberia?
Of course, there should be an impact on people who purchase rough from these sources. But the lack of mine-to-market tracking allows things to fall through the cracks.
Name
Bruno Scarselli
Company
Scarselli
Dealing in Fancy Color Since
1980
Location of Offices
USA, China
Fancy Color Price Category
Medium to High
I’d like to ask you about the fourth consecutive quarter increase in the price of yellow fancy color diamonds.
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
Is the price increase due to a rise in demand for this category, or is it because of growing competition among companies over a reduced supply of rough fancy color diamonds in rough tenders?
The popularity of yellow diamonds has led to stockpile depletion across various industries. The embargo on Alrosa's merchandise and South Africa's dominance in larger diamonds have affected availability. Retail chains have exhausted 1.50 to 5.00 carat VS1 clarity diamonds, and some pairs have vanished from the market.
These market conditions will increase prices in many segments. Alrosa products will find their way to Dubai and India while also meeting local demand instead of reaching European and American markets.
Higher interest rates will further squeeze profit margins. Nevertheless, the healthy market and demand will necessitate price increases, with an expected quarterly growth of 10-15%.
These market conditions will increase prices in many segments. Alrosa products will find their way to Dubai and India while also meeting local demand instead of reaching European and American markets.
Higher interest rates will further squeeze profit margins. Nevertheless, the healthy market and demand will necessitate price increases, with an expected quarterly growth of 10-15%.
Manufacturers and dealers are increasingly being required to add the origin of the rough when selling it downstream. How will this impact the acquisition of rough from places like Russia, Zimbabwe, and Liberia?
Traceability and sustainability requirements will limit product availability due to modest production in Canada, Australia, and parts of Africa. Miners often source materials from multiple locations, resulting in a mixed production.