Pursuits
Diamond Demand Fell 2% Last Year as Oil Rout, Dollar Hit Buyers
- Global diamond sales declined to $79 billion, De Beers said
- Biggest producer sees `positive but subdued' growth this year
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Global diamond demand slipped 2 percent last year as a stronger dollar and collapse in oil income for buyers in Russia and the Middle East offset record purchases in the U.S.
Total polished diamond sales fell to $79 billion from $81 billion in 2014, De Beers, the biggest producer, said in a report on Wednesday. Demand in the U.S., the top consumer, rose 5 percent to an all-time high of $39 billion.