De Beers, which is 85% owned by Anglo American, is due to report its year-end results at the same time as its parent, on 13 February 2015.
Rapaport said in a report released yesterday, 8 January, that its estimate was based on information published by Anglo American and De Beers, as well as its own calculations.
In its December sight, or scheduled sale of parcels of diamonds to selected buyers, De Beers maintained relatively stable prices, Rapaport said.
The sight closed at an estimated value of $600m.
Jewellery manufacturers were said to be holding high stocks of rough diamonds at year-end so demand was likely to remain low in January, which would result in softer prices.
Major US jewellery retailers will report shortly on their festive season sales, but Rapaport expects sales growth to be in the low single digits.
Sentiment in India and China remained negative although expectations for gold and diamond buying were improving ahead of the Chinese new year.
Rapaport's RapNet diamond index, which measures price trends for polished stones, fell 1.1% for one-carat gems last month, as polished stones registered nine consecutive months of declines.
The index fell 8.7% last year compared with 2013. The index for smaller, 0.3 carat polished diamonds fell 3.5% in December and 6.5% for the full year.
Rapaport said trading of polished stones was quiet last month and sellers reduced prices to improve turnover and cash flow. Inventories were relatively high because demand from China last year was weaker than expected.
On the JSE, Rockwell Diamonds shares have fallen 23% to 250c and Trans Hex is down 13% to 375c but DiamondCorp has risen 45% to 145c.
In London, Petra Diamonds has gained 63% to 194.7p and Gem Diamonds has gained 21.5% to 179.75p.
Source: Business Day via I-Net Bridge
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