DIAMONDS TOO DEAR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 102, 1 May 1908, Page 6

DIAMONDS TOO DEAR.

LONDON; March 11

. • Are _ diamonds - to ', be cheaper? Among merchants and jewellers opinion differs on, the question. . "There is a general feeling of un^ certainty and unrest on the market," said a diamond merchant yesterday, discussing the statement that there is a probability of the great diamond monopoly being broken, and that the Premier Diamond Company may declare war on' its great rival, the De Beers Company. . . "Some dealers are convinced that if the agreement between the Premier and De Beers is broken there will be an immediate and heavy drop in prices. Some small dealers have already begun selling off their cut stones below the price they, gave for them rather than,hold on with the chance of losing still more later on. . * , "Supposing, there is a diamond war, stones that now fetch from £20 to £30 may fall until they are only worth from £10 to £15." ;

"There is no danger unless the Premier Company commences selling against De Beers, and the latter in self defence brings the price, down," said another merchant. "But in my opinion," he added, "there is very little likelihood of that, for it is to the interest of both to keep prices UP-

"At present the market is stagnant. Bad weather has had something to do with it. Ladies have been ill—have had the influenza—have not been entertaining, and have not bought diamonds. The fever for motoring has done harm to the trade; ladies buy cars now instead of stones."

"Many jewellers expect that diamonds will be cheaper,"'said the manager of a West End firm, "and in my opinion the fall must come. Diamonds are too dear—loo per cent, dearer than a few years ago."