DIAMOND BOOM

Evening Star, Issue 18161, 29 December 1922, Page 2

DIAMOND BOOM

BUYERS FROM BANKRUPT NATIONS. Conditions in the diamond market have improved eo appreciably during the last few months that merchants are busy both in London and Paris, declared the ‘ Daily Mail. ’ Sales are reported from mast quarters of the globe, especially from the United States, India, and the East generally ; but tho strangest fact is that even in those countries in Europe whose exchanges are going from bad to worse the diamond business don© is continually increasing, tho reason being that tho purchasing public in those countries consider the gems as the only security to hold in preference to their ever-varying currency. Parcels of diamonds, containing mixeefsizes from one-fifth of a carat to sixteen stones per carat, have increased in the lapt two months between 15 and 20 par cent, in price. Small brilliants between 40 and 100 per carat have been especially hard to find, and have appreciated in value by some 10 to 15 per cent. As far as large stones are concerned, the purest qualities have maintained good prices and, are fairly scarce; while the medium and cheap grades, which during tho "slump" had depreciated very considerably, are now slightly on the increase and 1 have risen by about 10 por cent. In tho last two months.