US polished imports dip 34% in August

During August 2009, imports of polished diamonds into Unites States dipped by 34 percent to $893 million, as compared to the same month last year. The volume of polished diamond imports dipped by 9 percent to 973,560 carats and resulted in an average price of $917.25, which fell by 27 percent on the year.

The exports of polished diamonds dipped by 32 percent to $776 million in the said month. The country's rough diamond imports dipped by 72 percent to $15 million. The exports of rough diamonds amounted to $10 million after slipping 81 percent.

In the span of January-August, polished diamond imports declined by 45 percent to $7.49 billion, while rough imports decreased by 72 percent to $170 million, and rough exports dipped by 61 percent to $120 million.