DTC October Sight Estimated At $420M

Reports indicated that demand for rough was being fuelled by the secondary market as premiums on DTC boxes increased from their September levels. Market sources estimated that premiums are now selling at an average of 7 percent  to 9 percent.

"Demand is coming from the secondary market which is still willing to pay a premium for rough," said one source. "It is a rough sellers market, which does not make sense since polished is not moving and the rough is expensive."