In May 2010, Israel’s net polished diamond exports showed a 64.2 percent rise than the corresponding figures in May 2009, and valued $601 million; but were lower than the May 2008 figures which amounted to $1.02 billion. %% Last year the economic slowdown caused a staggering demand for diamonds, especially in Israel’s main export market - U.S. %% With markets showing signs of improvement this year, the country’s net polished diamonds exports for the first five months this year valued $2.55 billion. Imports of polished and rough diamonds in May 2010, amounted to $647.1 million, reports add.