Polished diamond exports from Israel dipped by 22 percent in June 2009, and amounted to $183.9 million. The imports of polished diamonds decreased by 56 percent and valued at $206 million. The country has been witnessing some degree of return on sales of polished diamonds after the JCK Vegas Show, in the past two years, reports say.

During the current year, post JCK Vegas show, the country’s returns amounted to 77 percent of the entire sales and valued at $615 million, reports say. The 56 percent decrease in June’s polished imports does not include the returns of the current year. The net polished exports in June reflected a negative $22.1 million, which is an improvement from a deficit of $235.7 million, last year.

The net rough diamond account slipped by 73 percent to $38.3 million, from June 2008. The rough exports in June 2009 amounted to $212 million, falling 52 percent, while imports of rough diamonds dipped by 57 percent to $250.3 million. The country’s net diamond account for June; which is net polished exports less net rough imports, reflected a $60.4 million deficit, while last year the deficit was worth $378 million.