China's diamond trade double in first half

Diamond trade through the Shanghai Diamond Exchange soared by 119.5 percent to reach 443 million U.S. dollars in the first half of this year, the Shanghai diamond trading authorities said on Friday.

Diamond imported or exported under general trade totaled 419 million U.S. dollars, up 115.7 percent year on year.

Diamonds traded as bonded goods shot up by 215.9 percent to reach 24.54 million U.S. dollars.

In April, diamond import and export in general trade on the exchange hit a monthly new high of 92.73 million U.S. dollars.

The Shanghai Diamond Exchange is the only legal channel for general trade of diamond on the Chinese mainland.