In November 2009, polished diamond imports into the U.S. increased by 9.7 percent to $1.19 billion. The country’s polished diamond exports took a 2.5 percent dip to amount to $951 million in the said month. The month’s net polished imports into the country amounted to $243 million, while in the same month last year it was worth $113 million.

Rough diamond imports for the country increased by 92 percent to $25 million, but rough exports dipped by 45 percent to $6 million, in November 2009. The net rough imports increased by $19 million in November 2009, while in the corresponding month of 2008 they amounted to $2 million. During the month, the country’s net diamond account (reflecting net imports of polished and rough goods amounted to $262 million, as compared to $115 million in November 2008.

Across the 11 months between January to November 2009, the country’s net diamond account amounted to $2.57 billion, falling by 47 percent.