The U.S. imported $40.5 million worth of rough diamonds in April at an average value of $3,434.11 per carat, a 96.7 percent and 112.7 percent respective increase compared to April 2009. Net imports of $15 million are a 73.9 percent increase compared to last year, based on figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department.

 

The volume of U.S. gross imports decreased 7.5 percent to 11,788 carats.

 

The U.S. exported 81,104 carats of rough diamonds worth $25.5 million with and average value of $314.50 p/c.

 

South Africa supplied the U.S. $16.3 million worth of rough weighing 1,134 carats at an average value of $14,341.61 p/c. Angola, the second leading supplier of rough diamonds to the U.S., shipped $13.1 million worth of rough at an average value of $5,004.78 p/c.

 

The leading export destinations were Belgium ($11.3 million) and Israel ($6.4 million). 