FCRF: Blue fancy colored diamond prices appreciate 5.5% in Q2

Analysis of pricing data by the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF) for the second quarter of 2017 indicates overall pricing stability across all categories over the same quarter of the previous year. A deeper look at the data reveals that blue fancy colored diamond prices continued to appreciate, rising 5.5 percent on over last year, while yellow fancy color diamond prices dipped by 2.5 percent for the year. Overall, the Fancy Color Diamond Index for all shapes and sizes was flat for the period. According to RAPI, during the same period, most white diamond categories experiences meaningful price declines.

The strongest performance price categories during Q2 2017 were 10 carat fancy intense blue, 5 carat fancy vivid blue and 8 carat fancy intense blue, which appreciated by 2.5 percent, 2.4 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively. On a year-on-year basis, when compared to Q2 2016, the strongest performing categories were 1 carat fancy vivid blue, 8 carat fancy intense blue and 1 carat fancy intense blue, appreciating by 13.1 percent, 11.5 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively. The weakest categories were large carat yellow fancy color diamonds. As in recent periods, across all color segments, fancy intense and fancy vivid broadly demonstrated price increases, whereas color diamonds in the ‘Fancy’ category maintained price softness.

The Fancy Color Diamond Index is published by FCRF, a non-profit organization and tracks pricing data for yellow, pink , and blue fancy color diamonds in three key global trading centers – Hong Kong, New York and Tel Aviv.

FCRF Advisory Board chairman Efraim Zion said, “Demand in China and other Asian markets for extremely rare fancy color diamonds is still robust. However, the pipeline is experiencing continued supply shortages, which results in price stability, and in some categories continued appreciation. We will not be seeing changes in the foreseeable future.” Mr, Zion added, “Yellow fancy color stones are enjoying healthy demand as well, however their price behaviour, especially for the commercial categories, more closely resembles that of white diamonds.”