(IDEX Online News) - Polished diamond prices soared in March, rising on average by 12.7% year over year and by 4.9% compared to average prices in February, based on the IDEX Online Polished Diamond Price Index.

The full analysis of the polished diamond prices is available to IDEX Online Research subscribers and IDEX Online members here.

The Index started the month at 124.47, peaked at 130.12 on March 24 and closed at 129.34, increasing 3.9% during the month. The Index averaged 128.14 in March.

Source: IDEX Online

March was a record month for polished diamond prices. The 3.9% price increase during the month is the steepest increase since the price recovery cycle began a year ago while the month over month increase of 4.9% in the average asking prices was the largest monthly price increase in several years.

Smaller Goods Are Biggest Gainers

Prices increased for all sizes, even the currently less popular 4 carat goods, which added some 2% to its average price in March compared to February. However, the largest gains took place in the very popular 0.50 – 3.00 range. Half caraters increased by 6%, 1.00 caraters added 6.3% to their price, 1.50 carat goods gained 5.5% and the average price of 3-carat diamonds jumped by 5.8%. Buyers paid about 3% more for the 5-carat goods compared to what they paid in February.

Source: IDEX Online

Why

The pent up pressure to increase prices has been finally released, and buyers, mainly from China and India, succumbed to manufacturers rising asking prices, as was most evident at the Hong Kong show in early March. That set the stage for continued price increases, which raced towards the Basel show on the back of strong optimism.

Outlook

Continuously ascending rough diamond prices, steady strong demand by Asian consumers and a strong belief that the 2011-holiday season will be better than the last one, are all leading the way to continued price increases, at least until the Las Vegas show opens in June.