US Diamond Imports Rise in November

RAPAPORT... US polished-diamond imports jumped 11% year on year inNovember, government data showed. Shipments grew to $1.77 billion as a 26% rise in the averageprice of imports - to $2,573 per carat - outweighed a 12% drop in volume to687,000 carats. Polished exports declined 13% to $1.48 billion, according tothe recent figures. Net polished imports, representing imports minus exports,stood at positive $284 million, versus negative $109 million a year ago. Rough imports leapt 98% to $143 million, while rough exportsalmost trebled to $217 million. The net diamond account - total rough andpolished imports minus total exports - grew to positive $210 million, comparedwith negative $110 million a year ago. The nation's polished trade slowed in the first 11 months of theyear, with imports down 6% to $20.14 billion, while exports declined 5% to$16.69 billion.