Momoka Matsumoto

Jan 31, 2024 | asia.nikkei.com | Momoka Matsumoto |Noriyuki Doi

TOKYO/SHANGHAI -- Chinese gold purchases rose 30% in 2023, as the country's central bank bought the commodity to replace its dollar holdings amid tensions with the U.S. and individual investors sought a haven for their assets as the economy stumbled. The data comes from the World Gold Council's 2023 Gold Demand Trends report, released on Wednesday.

Dec 22, 2023 | asia.nikkei.com | Momoka Matsumoto

TOKYO -- Prices for natural diamonds have fallen amid economic uncertainty in the two biggest markets -- the U.S. and China -- and growing acceptance of cheaper synthetic stones. The price of a polished F color, VS1 clarity diamond, an international benchmark, came to around $9,200 per carat in mid-December, the lowest since 2009 and down 24% from its most recent peak in August 2022.

Nov 22, 2023 | asia.nikkei.com | Shinichi Arakawa |Momoka Matsumoto

TOKYO -- Palladium and nickel prices have touched lows not seen in several years as the result of manufacturers rearranging their supply chains to reduce their dependence on Russia. In New York, the most heavily traded futures for palladium fetched $948.50 per troy ounce at one point Nov. 13, marking the lowest point in five years and two months. The value has dropped by roughly 40% from the start of the year.

Nov 11, 2023 | asia.nikkei.com | Momoka Matsumoto

TOKYO -- With gold surging in price, efforts to extract the precious metal from used circuit boards and other electronic waste are ramping up in Japan. Japan has little in the way of natural resources. But it is considered one of the most promising markets for urban mining: turning discarded electronics into a source of gold as well as of other important metals, such as those used in electric vehicles.

Oct 26, 2023 | asia.nikkei.com | Momoka Matsumoto

TOKYO -- Gold prices are back on the rise as worries about the war in the Middle East and mounting U.S. debt drive investors toward safe assets. Gold futures prices in New York climbed as high as $2,003 per troy ounce at one point Thursday, crossing $2,000 for the second time in a week -- a level last seen over two months ago -- and moving closer to the August 2020 record of $2,089. The metal had fallen to nearly $1,820 early this month.