Prices of fancy-color diamonds slipped 0.7% in the second quarter compared with same period the previous year, amid weakness in the yellows category, according to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF). 

Yellow fancy-colored prices fell 1.7% year on year, comprising the entire top-five sliders category, the FCRF said Wednesday. Fancy-yellow, 10-carat diamonds declined the most, down 3.5%, while 5-carat, fancy-vivid yellows dropped 3.4% and 10-carat, fancy-vivid yellows decreased 3.3%. Fancy-intense-yellow diamonds weighing 3 carats were the strongest in the segment, up 0.5%. 

Prices of pink fancy-color diamonds slid 0.3% year on year but saw an increase of 0.3% from the previous three months. The color made up four of the top-five sellers during the period, with 1-carat, fancy-intense pinks up 1.5%, and 1-carat, fancy-vivid pinks growing 1.3%, FCRF noted.  

Meanwhile, blue fancy-color prices also slipped 0.3% overall year on year. Prices for 1.5-carat, fancy-vivid-blue diamonds gained 0.6%, rebounding from previous declines, according to the FCRF, with 3-carat, fancy-intense blues up 0.4%. However, larger sizes saw “significant declines,” the organization explained. In particular, prices of 3-carat fancy blues decreased 1.9% and those weighing 8 carats dropped 1.2%. 

Since the FCRF began collecting data in 2005, pink diamonds have increased by 398%, blue diamonds have grown 248% and yellows gained 56%, it said. 

“The declines in prices are not significant and are typical for the summer period,” said FCRF data supplier Marcel Herszaft. “We feel the fancy-color diamond market is stable and prices will remain stable.” 

Image: Polished colored diamonds. (Fancy Color Research Foundation)