website of De Beers, whose estimated value was $ 700 million, was closed recently, and diamond prices rose by an average of 5%. The increase in prices affected most categories of goods. De Beers also changed the range of boxes, reports Rapaport.
"In general, the increase in prices De Beers went far beyond the appropriate change in the range," - said one Antwerp sightholder, whose name is not disclosed.
"There are certain categories of goods for which you can justify the price increase in relation to November or December 2013, and this applies mainly to small pointers. However, De Beers raised prices for a wide range of diamonds, the increase was most noticeable in the categories of small diamonds and "melee" diamonds, and this was not met with understanding. "
Demand for rough diamonds in the secondary market has improved, and De Beers box vendors have begun to receive solid premiums, Rapaport reported.
As noted in the message, during the site applications were submitted for additional volumes of stones, however De Beers could not have enough goods to meet additional demand.
The Mumbai sightholder told the news agency that traders "were not greatly disappointed" with the price increase, because in January a revival appeared on the rough diamond market, which turned out to be stable premiums on the secondary market.