U.S. polished diamond imports stand at $1.5 billion in February

In February 2013, polished diamond exports from U.S. dropped 8.1 percent to $1.458 billion. Imports of polished diamonds stood at $1.501 billion, or almost flat after rising just 0.4 percent (on y-o-y basis) and per carat prices dropped 1.2 percent to $1,706, reports say. The net imports were valued at $43 million (the same stood at an import deficit of $92 million in February 2012).

Imports of rough diamonds dropped 3.3 percent to $29 million in the said month and rough diamond exports stood at $22 million (flat as compared to February 2012). The net imports were at $7 million (it was $8 million in the same month last year).

The U.S. net diamond account in February 2013, saw an improvement of upto $50 million (the same was in deficit of $86 million).