For the month of January 2011, Japan recorded an increase in its polished diamond imports, both in volume and value basis. The value of polished diamond imports rose 44 percent to $72.4 million (y-o-y), while in volume terms it rose 29 percent to 243,567 carats (y-o-y). The average price of the diamonds rose 12 percent to $297 per carat.

The said imports from India rose 46 percent to $33.1 million, from Belgium it rose 1 percent to $11 million, from Israel it grew 32 percent to $5.8 million and from Hong Kong by 50 percent to $5 million.

Imports of gold jewellery also increased by 20 percent to $47.2 million, while that of platinum jewellery rose 3 percent to $32.4 million.