Investors take shine to diamonds online - Business - Evening Standard
       

Investors take shine to diamonds online

Investors can now get their cut of diamonds more easily, with the opening of the first online exchange for the gems.

The Dealers Organisation for Diamond Automated Quotes (Dodaq), launched in Antwerp, offers a two-way auction for traders, giving a platform for electronic transactions in polished diamonds with real-time pricing.

Chief financial officer Alex Fray said institutional and private investors and people from all parts of the diamond industry have been rushing to use the service. Buyers have previously faced a hefty sales tax but the jewels are stored in a tax-free zone, making it cheaper to trade.

Demand for diamonds has been hit by the global downturn, with producer De Beers recently saying it does not expect a recovery until Christmas next year at the earliest, Dodaq is optimistic.

"The trend is for growing demand from emerging markets. Over the medium term, demand is expected to outstrip supply," Fray said.

Comments

Don't Miss
Rock star: Erin Wasson

Rock star

Erin Wasson is the ultimate anti-supermodel
Maybe it’s because she’s a Londoner … Happy anniversary, Ma’am

Happy anniversary

The monarchy has become stronger and more respected in the past 60 years
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity