Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
SourcingJan 27, 2014
US remains top market for Antwerp, Israel
The United States is still the No. 1 market for polished diamonds from both Antwerp and Israel, with both industry hubs reporting an increase in their respective diamond trades in 2013.
New York--The United States is still the No. 1 market for polished diamonds from both Antwerp and Israel, with both industry hubs reporting an increase in their respective diamond trades in 2013.
According to figures published by Shmuel Mordechai, Israel’s diamond controller, the country’s net polished exports increased 12 percent year-over-year, from $5.6 billion in 2012 to $6.2 billion in 2013. Net rough exports climbed 4 percent, from $2.8 billion to $2.9 billion.
On the import side, net imports of polished diamonds were essentially flat year-over-year, totaling $4.3 billion compared with $4.26 billion in 2012. Imports of rough rose 4 percent from $3.8 billion to $4.0 billion.
Moti Ganz, chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, said the industry was able to grow in 2013 despite high rough diamond prices, a slowdown in demand from Asian markets and less available credit for diamond companies.
In Antwerp, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre reported that the total value of traded diamonds in 2013 reached $55 billion, very close to the record $56.6 billion it set in 2011.
However, these highs are being set in a time of rising rough prices. The AWDC notes that over the past 10 years, the average price per carat of rough diamonds has nearly tripled, from $50 to $140 per carat.
Antwerp’s rough trade, counting both imports and exports, rose 8 percent while its polished diamond trade was up 4 percent year-over-year. The AWDC said rising rough prices and shrinking margins for diamond traders and manufacturers have resulted in a competitive trading environment for polished.
Antwerp signed a new cooperation agreement with Alrosa in 2013 and worked with government officials from Zimbabwe to hold a tender of goods from the country’s Marange region in December. The AWDC said Zimbabwe will account for at least a quarter of the world’s rough production over the next decade.
For both Israel and Antwerp, the U.S. remained the main polished diamond export market.
The U.S. claimed up 37 percent of Israel’s polished exports in 2013. Hong Kong was the next largest market at 27 percent, followed by Switzerland at 9 percent, Belgium at 7 percent and India at 2 percent.
Ganz said the U.S. and some European markets were “flourishing,” and IDI Managing Director Eli Avidar said the international buying events held in the U.S. last year were successful.
In 2014, the IDI plans to
hold several special rough events in addition to those in Ramat Gan and New York and participate in new trade shows in selected markets.
In Antwerp, the AWDC also reported that the U.S. remains its No. 1 export market for polished diamonds, followed “closely” by China. The organization also notes growing trade with Dubai and South Africa, while trade with European nations remains flat.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 25, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
