Rapaport Diamond Report

Rapaport Diamond Report
Name	Rapaport Diamond Report
Type	Trade publication
Founded	1978
Founder	Martin Rapaport
Country	United States
Language	English

Rapaport Diamond Report The Rapaport Diamond Report is a trade price list and market commentary widely cited in the diamond and jewelry industries. It was created by Martin Rapaport and has been used by dealers, retailers, and industry bodies as a reference for polished diamond pricing and negotiation. The Report interacts with major market participants, exchanges, and trade associations across global centers for diamonds.

History

The Report was founded in 1978 by Martin Rapaport alongside early interactions with the diamond bourses of Antwerp, New York City, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong, and Mumbai; it emerged amid market dynamics involving firms such as De Beers and Soviet Union era emerald and diamond sourcing. Early circulation connected with trade groups like the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the Jewelers of America while contemporaneous events included shifts following the Angolan Civil War and the rise of production in Botswana and South Africa. The Report's development paralleled milestones in the careers of figures associated with the diamond trade and financial markets such as Nicky Oppenheimer, Lev Leviev, Moti Shnaydman, and institutions like the Diamond Trading Company.

Publication and Methodology

The Report is published in periodic print and digital formats and provides price lists for polished diamonds by size, color, and clarity; its methodology references trade quotations from diamond exchanges including the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and market data from firms comparable to Forevermark and Sarine Technologies. Martin Rapaport’s approach aggregates dealer quotes, auction results from houses akin to Christie’s and Sotheby’s, and manufacturing cost inputs from cutting centers in Surat and Ramat Gan. The Report’s grading and price grid interact conceptually with standards used by laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America, International Gemological Institute, and practices observed by grading entities like the HRD Antwerp.

Market Influence and Criticism

The Report has influenced pricing, negotiation, and disclosure practices across trade venues such as the Israel Diamond Exchange, Hong Kong Diamond Exchange, and buying houses in Dubai. It has been credited with promoting price transparency alongside critiques voiced by diamond dealers, manufacturers and trade bodies including some members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and independent commentators linked to firms like De Beers and entrepreneurs similar to Beny Steinmetz. Critics have highlighted disputes about methodology and market impact in forums where auction houses such as Sotheby’s and certification bodies like the Gemological Institute of America intersect with small and large industry players.

Pricing and Indexes

The Report’s price list functions as an index for polished diamonds and feeds derivative indicators often referenced by exchanges such as the Borsa Italiana-listed trading firms and investors active in commodities contexts alongside entities like Bloomberg and Reuters. The Rapaport grid categorizes sizes, colors and clarities to produce comparative price points used by wholesalers, retailers, and financial analysts tracking supply changes from mine operators including De Beers Group, ALROSA, Petra Diamonds, and Lucara Diamond. Secondary pricing discussion connects to auction records at houses like Christie’s and corporate disclosures from public companies listed on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange.

Legal and Regulatory Issues

The Report has been subject to legal scrutiny and commercial disputes involving trade regulation, antitrust considerations and contractual disagreements brought before juridical venues including courts in New York (state) and arbitration panels used by international trade organizations such as the International Chamber of Commerce. Regulatory contexts have included compliance regimes related to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and scrutiny from national authorities in jurisdictions like India, Belgium, Israel, and United Arab Emirates. Litigation and regulatory filings have at times referenced the Report’s role in price-setting and commercial practice among dealers, exchanges, and certification bodies.

Digital Presence and Services

The publisher expanded into online services, subscription databases, and digital tools that incorporate price grids, market commentary and listings used by participants similar to members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and platform operators in centers such as Antwerp and Mumbai. The digital evolution paralleled adoption of technology firms such as Sarine Technologies, blockchain pilots involving consortia like initiatives associated with De Beers, and trading platforms that serve buyers and sellers across Hong Kong, Dubai, and New York City.

Category:Diamond industry Category:Trade publications