{
  "schema": "https://diamondedit.co.za/data/sa-diamond-price-index-schema-v1.json",
  "name": "The Diamond Edit, South African Diamond Price Index",
  "version": "2026-05-1.0",
  "publisher": "diamondedit.co.za",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0",
  "lastVerified": "2026-05-27",
  "nextUpdate": "2026-07-01",
  "currency": "ZAR",
  "spec": {
    "shape": "Round Brilliant",
    "colour": "G",
    "clarity": "VS2",
    "cut": "Excellent",
    "polish": "Excellent",
    "symmetry": "Excellent",
    "fluorescence": "None",
    "certificate": "GIA"
  },
  "zarUsdRate": 18.5,
  "zarUsdRateRange": [18.42, 18.61],
  "zarUsdSource": "SARB daily mid-rate, May 2026 monthly band",
  "data": [
    {
      "carat": 0.5,
      "naturalWholesaleZAR": {"low": 22000, "high": 32000},
      "naturalRetailZAR": {"low": 48000, "high": 85000},
      "labGrownWholesaleZAR": {"low": 3500, "high": 6000},
      "labGrownRetailZAR": {"low": 9000, "high": 16000},
      "rapaportUSDPerCarat": {"low": 2380, "high": 3460}
    },
    {
      "carat": 0.7,
      "naturalWholesaleZAR": {"low": 38000, "high": 52000},
      "naturalRetailZAR": {"low": 78000, "high": 135000},
      "labGrownWholesaleZAR": {"low": 6000, "high": 10000},
      "labGrownRetailZAR": {"low": 15000, "high": 28000},
      "rapaportUSDPerCarat": {"low": 2934, "high": 4015}
    },
    {
      "carat": 0.9,
      "naturalWholesaleZAR": {"low": 56000, "high": 78000},
      "naturalRetailZAR": {"low": 115000, "high": 205000},
      "labGrownWholesaleZAR": {"low": 9000, "high": 15000},
      "labGrownRetailZAR": {"low": 22000, "high": 42000},
      "rapaportUSDPerCarat": {"low": 3363, "high": 4685}
    },
    {
      "carat": 1.0,
      "naturalWholesaleZAR": {"low": 75000, "high": 110000},
      "naturalRetailZAR": {"low": 150000, "high": 280000},
      "labGrownWholesaleZAR": {"low": 12000, "high": 22000},
      "labGrownRetailZAR": {"low": 28000, "high": 55000},
      "rapaportUSDPerCarat": {"low": 4054, "high": 5946},
      "note": "The 1ct magic-carat threshold adds 15 to 25 percent over a 0.90ct stone at otherwise identical spec."
    },
    {
      "carat": 1.5,
      "naturalWholesaleZAR": {"low": 150000, "high": 225000},
      "naturalRetailZAR": {"low": 310000, "high": 580000},
      "labGrownWholesaleZAR": {"low": 22000, "high": 38000},
      "labGrownRetailZAR": {"low": 52000, "high": 98000},
      "rapaportUSDPerCarat": {"low": 5405, "high": 8108}
    },
    {
      "carat": 2.0,
      "naturalWholesaleZAR": {"low": 270000, "high": 420000},
      "naturalRetailZAR": {"low": 555000, "high": 1080000},
      "labGrownWholesaleZAR": {"low": 35000, "high": 62000},
      "labGrownRetailZAR": {"low": 85000, "high": 155000},
      "rapaportUSDPerCarat": {"low": 7297, "high": 11351}
    },
    {
      "carat": 3.0,
      "naturalWholesaleZAR": {"low": 650000, "high": 1050000},
      "naturalRetailZAR": {"low": 1330000, "high": 2680000},
      "labGrownWholesaleZAR": {"low": 72000, "high": 130000},
      "labGrownRetailZAR": {"low": 175000, "high": 330000},
      "rapaportUSDPerCarat": {"low": 11712, "high": 18919}
    }
  ],
  "channelMarkup": {
    "bedfordviewWholesale": {"min": 1.03, "max": 1.06, "note": "Manufacturer-direct, by appointment"},
    "midTierIndependent": {"min": 1.80, "max": 2.00, "note": "Hyde Park, Rosebank, Melrose Arch"},
    "chainMallRetail": {"min": 2.40, "max": 2.85, "note": "Sandton City, V&A Waterfront, Mall of Africa"},
    "touristTier": {"min": 3.00, "max": 3.45, "note": "V&A Clock Tower, OR Tambo international duty-free"}
  },
  "labGrownDeclineSince2019": {
    "percent": 73,
    "wholesaleZAR2019": 55000,
    "wholesaleZAR2026May": 15000,
    "driver": "CVD + HPHT capacity additions in India and China, IGI lab-grown grading volume surpassing GIA natural in 2023, De Beers Lightbox exit in 2024"
  },
  "citation": {
    "apa": "Mokoena, T. (2026). South African Diamond Price Report 2026 (May). The Diamond Edit. https://diamondedit.co.za/sa-diamond-price-report-2026/",
    "harvard": "Mokoena, T., 2026. South African Diamond Price Report 2026 (May). [online] The Diamond Edit. Available at: https://diamondedit.co.za/sa-diamond-price-report-2026/ [Last verified 27 May 2026]."
  }
}