Shanghai Diamond Exchange imported diamonds under general trade of 124 million US dollars in the first quarter,59.9 percent higher than the same period last year, said Xinhua News Agency on Thursday.

In March the Exchange imported diamonds under general trade of 52.2 million US dollar, hitting a highest record and up 49.6 percent then last March.

The statistics show that among 124 million US dollars' imports, 99.5 percent are for jewelry-used finished diamonds, indicating a strong demand for diamond consumption in China market.

Shanghai Diamond Exchange has totally had 212 Chinese and foreign members at the end of March.

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