Diamond prices pick up

Wholesale diamond prices have begun to recover after an unprecedented 15 to 20 percent decline during the month of December, according to Cendex Inc.'s Diamond Market Report.

The Dallas firm says price reductions generally reflected a trend toward significantly lower profit margins exhibited by several cutters and dealers. As a result of the declines, one-carat prices dropped to levels last reported in January 1980; prices on smaller goods also went down, but not nearly so much.