New York: U.S. polished diamond imports fell 3 percent to $2.09 billion in October, according to government data. Polished imports by weight slid 6 percent to 1 million carats, while the average price increased 3 percent to $2,071 per carat. Polished diamond exports declined 2 percent to $1.3 billion, driving net imports down 5 percent to $794 million.
Rough diamond imports more than tripled to $51 million, while rough exports grew almost five-fold to $118 million, leaving net rough imports at negative $67 million versus negative $7 million a year ago. The net diamond account, reflecting the difference between net imports and exports, fell 12 percent to $727 million.
During the first 10 months of the year, polished diamond imports slipped 0.2 percent to $19.89 billion and polished exports climbed 2 percent to $15.78 billion, resulting in net imports declining 1 percent to $4.11 billion.
