<p style="text-align: justify;">Gross rough diamond imports by the U.S. totaled $61.4 million in May, their highest level since October 2008. The rise in gross rough imports was a sharp one in May, rising 155.4 percent year-over-year and 51.8 percent compared to last April. Net trade figures show that rough diamond exports continues to exceed imports when measured by volume.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Demand for diamonds by U.S. traders coincided with the strong demand that existed in May in other global centers, most notably Antwerp.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The average value of gross imports was $2,350.67 per carat, 247 percent higher than what was paid the year before.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In terms of volume, the conundrum continued. The U.S. imported 26,138 carats of gem quality goods and exported 48,719 carats, nearly twice as much as was imported. The average value of exports, $906.10 p/c, is unusually high. In the past exports averaged $200-$360 p/c.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In value, the U.S. exported $44.2 million worth of rough diamonds, bringing net exports by value to $17.3 million.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Most of the rough diamond exports - 29,074 carats with an average value of $174 per carat - were to Belgium.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ref: <a href="http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=34260" target="_blank">IdexOnline</a></p>