Pursuits

Not All Diamonds Enjoy Recovery as Budget Stones Get Left Behind

  • Lower-quality and smaller stones miss out on broader recovery
  • Ample supplies, longer profit turnaround hit cheaper stones
Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
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The recovery in diamond prices is leaving out the smallest and lowest-quality gems.

For the smallest diamonds, prices are down 15 percent this year, data compiled by Bloomberg show. That compares with an average 7 percent increase for all stones yet to be cut and polished. The overall market is recovering after De Beers and Russia’s Alrosa PJSC cut supply in 2015 to boost sales.