Fancy-color diamond prices dipped 0.7% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, mainly due to weakness in yellow diamonds, according to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF).
Yellow diamond prices fell 1.7% year-on-year, marking the entire top-five category decline, the FCRF reported on Wednesday. The steepest drops were observed in 10-carat fancy-yellow diamonds, down 3.5%, and 5-carat fancy-vivid yellows, which decreased by 3.4%. However, 3-carat fancy-intense-yellow diamonds showed resilience, increasing by 0.5%.
Pink diamond prices also saw a slight decline of 0.3% year-on-year but managed a 0.3% increase from the previous quarter. These diamonds constituted four of the top-five sellers, with 1-carat fancy-intense pinks rising by 1.5% and 1-carat fancy-vivid pinks growing by 1.3%, according to the FCRF.
Meanwhile, blue diamond prices slipped 0.3% overall year-on-year, although there were gains in specific categories like 1.5-carat fancy-vivid-blue diamonds, which rose by 0.6%. Larger sizes, however, experienced notable declines, with 3-carat fancy blues down 1.9% and 8-carat fancy blues dropping 1.2%.
Since the FCRF began collecting data in 2005, pink diamonds have increased by 398%, blue diamonds by 248%, and yellow diamonds by 56%, the organization noted.
Marcel Herszaft, a data supplier for FCRF, remarked, “The price declines are typical for the summer period and do not signal significant instability. We expect the fancy-color diamond market to remain stable.”
