U.S. polished diamond imports rise 59% in May

In May 2011, polished diamond imports into the U.S. increased 59 percent y-o-y to $2.52 billion. The volume of polished diamond imports increased 31 percent y-o-y to 1.48 million carats. Exports of polished diamonds in the same month increased 38 percent year on year to $1.36 billion. The country’s net diamond imports valued $1.17 billion ($598 million in May 2010).

The country’s rough diamond imports increased in the month by 15 percent to $70 million but rough diamond exports dropped 9 percent to $40 million. In the month, the net rough imports valued $30 million, rising 76 percent from the same in May 2010.

The country’s net diamond account in the month was worth $1.39 billion ($1 billion in May 2010).