Show DIAMOND IMPORTS 1 j BREAK RECORD Imports of ot dl diamonds into the United e l States during the fiscal year 1920 were nearly double those of or the previous year rear and more than three times the 1918 1915 quota according to figures figur s contained in I a review of the trade by the National Tank Bank of ot Commerce e. e The Tb value of th the S 'S 1920 imports was close clos to The United States Is and has beer been oc oc many years ears the ears the chief consumer of ot diamonds and practically the entire pro pro- S of ot tho the better class of stones finds Its market In this country says the Formerly the American demand demand de de- mand roand was altogether for the cut stones but in the tho last two decades des a diamond diamond- cutting Industry of ot considerable importance tance has been established In New Kew York City Imports of uncut diamonds Into the United States have havo greatly Increased sin since the beginning of oC the war In the round shapes American cut diamonds are considered superior to stones finished in Europe and ancl are in almost universal de demand de- de mand by bi the retail retsU trade In the United The e diamond market Is at present th the most completely controlled of all aU commodity markets market the system m of con- con rol having having- been greatly strengthened within the last two years ears More than 80 SO per sr cent ot of the worlds world's present supply of ot diamonds comes from the mines of ot S south puth Africa The These Thee e mines after alter years cf ct C conflict have been united and their combined output Is now marketed b by t L the cl syndicate of or London The value alue of diamonds has Increased almost without a break since the begin begin- ning of control Following the outbreak e k of the war the South Routh African mines were ere not operated for for- fora a number of months Later Late however a stimulated demand for diamonds appeared d caused by the buying of persons in the United States to whom the war had brought prosperity and by the chaotic conditions In Europe which l led d many to exchange their worldly goods for diamonds a com com- easy to conc conceal al and relatively ire freB res re's from depreciation During this period of or buying prices price for lor certain grades des went much above those set 1910 1919 Sn b by the diamond syndicate Since although tho the demand for diamonds has he been n the largest In history tion- tion has been held down due It Is com corn believed to the threatened ex ex- of som sorn toof the mines The diamond dia dia- dia- dia mond s syndicate has recently that in keeping with Its policy announced in t the paste past production will be reduced If necessary I essary s to maintain its price levels ls |