Last week we published our monthly report on the Mercury Diamond Global Tracker™ (MDGT™) for December, showing that prices of most round diamond size ranges between 0.30 carats to 2 carats rose during the last few months of the year. At the same time, our index, which covers a very wide range of goods has declined. It seems puzzling, but it really hides a sad truth about demand for polished diamonds around the world, mainly in the US and China, the two largest consumer markets.

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is an international not-for-profit organization promoting responsible, ethical, human rights, social, and environmental practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the jewelry industry, from mine to retail.

Prices of smaller goods, below one carat, continued to rise in December after increasing in November, responding to rising demand in the consumer market. Larger goods, however, which suffered from price declines in November, experienced a long-awaited revival, rising 1-1.5% in December, according to the Mercury Diamond Global Tracker™ (MDGT™). The MDGT™ index averaged 109.45 in December 2018.

The formation of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), was the result of developments in both retail and the science of diamonds. The combination of a growing need to standardize information provided to consumers and deeper understanding of the gemological aspects of diamonds gave rise to the need for an unbiased third party that could fill the gap between what was available at the time and the little that was available.

A sharp drop in demand and a rise in inventories characterized trade in December. Polished diamond traders around the globe were feeling blue after retail sales of diamond jewelry failed to meet expectations.