DIAMOND, INDUSTRIAL—1997 23.1

DIAMOND, INDUSTRIAL

By Ronald F. Balazik

Although best known for its spectacular gem qualities, diamond

also has unique properties that make it ideal for many industrial

and research applications. In fact, as the hardest substance known

(more than twice as hard as its best competitors1) diamond has

been used for many centuries2 as a grinding, drilling, cutting, and

polishing tool (Spear and Dismuks, 1994). Today, industrialgrade diamond (i.e., diamond that does not meet gem-quality

standards for color, clarity, size, or shape) continues to be used

principally as an abrasive in many applications despite its initial

cost (Boucher, 1997). Even though it is more expensive than

competing abrasive materials, diamond has proven to be more

cost effective in numerous industrial processes because it cuts

faster and lasts longer than any rival. In addition to its utility as

an abrasive, diamond has other exceptional properties (including

chemical, electrical, optical, and thermal characteristics) that

make it the best material available to industry for special lenses,

heat sinks in electrical circuits, wire drawing, and many advanced

technologies.

Both synthetic (i.e., manufactured) diamond and natural

diamond have industrial uses. However, synthetic industrial

diamond is superior to its natural diamond counterpart because it

can be produced in unlimited quantities and, in many cases, its

properties can be tailored for specific applications (Boucher,

1996). Consequently, manufactured diamond accounts for more

than 90% of the industrial diamond used in the United States.

Legislation and Government Programs

The National Defense Stockpile (NDS), operated by the

Department of Defense (DOD), contained the following categories

of industrial diamond in 1997: industrial stone, crushing bort, and

diamond dies. At yearend, the NDS had an inventory of 3.39

million carats of industrial stone (valued at $89.6 million), 62,300

carats of crushing bort ($326,000), and 25,500 pieces of diamond

dies ($255,000).

Congress has authorized the DOD to dispose of all NDS

diamond dies and portions of the stockpiled stone and bort. Large

quantities of NDS diamond stone and bort were sold in 1997; no

stockpiled diamond dies were sold. Additional sales are planned

by DOD for 1998. Further information concerning NDS diamond

is available in the Prices section of this report.

Production

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts an annual survey

of domestic industrial diamond producers and U.S. firms that

recover diamond wastes. Although most of these companies

responded to the 1997 survey, a few significant firms withheld

certain data that they deemed proprietary. Thus, only estimates of

U.S. primary and secondary output are provided below.

As one of the world’s leading producers of synthetic industrial

diamond, the United States accounted for an estimated output of

125 million carats in 1997. Only two U.S. companies produced

synthetic industrial diamond during the year—Du Pont Industrial

Diamond Division, Gibbstown, NJ; and GE Superabrasives,

Worthington, OH. General Electric (Fairfield, CT), which owns

GE Abrasives and other diamond manufacturing plants abroad,

is one of the world’s largest producers of industrial diamond.

Six firms also manufactured polycrystalline diamond (PCD)

from synthetic diamond grit and powder in 1997 (W. Born,

National Research Company, oral commun., 1998). These

companies were as follows: the Dennis Tool Co., Houston, TX;

GE Superabrasives; Phoenix Crystal, Ann Arbor, MI; SII

Megadiamond Industries Inc., Provo, UT; Tempo Technology

Corp., Somerset, NJ; and U.S. Synthetic Corp., Orem, UT.

It is estimated that about 10 million carats of used industrial

diamond were recycled in the United States during 1997. Most of

this material was recovered by recycling firms from used drill bits,

diamond tools, and other diamond-containing wastes. Additional

diamond was recovered during the year from residues generated

in the manufacture of PCD; most of this material was recovered

by the manufacturers from within their production operations (W.

Born, National Research Company, oral commun., 1998).

The recovery and sale of industrial diamond was the principal

business of four U.S. companies in 1997—Industrial Diamond

Laboratory Inc., Bronx, NY; Industrial Diamond Powders Co.,

Pittsburgh, PA; International Diamond Services Inc., Houston,

TX; and National Research Company, Fraser, MI. In addition to

these companies, other domestic firms may recover industrial

diamond in smaller secondary operations.

A new diamond mine under development near Fort Collins,

CO, since 1995 may prove to be the first notable domestic source

of natural industrial diamond in the United States. The mine is

the first commercial diamond mine in North America in almost

a century (U.S. Geological Survey, 1998). Approximately twothirds of the diamonds recovered at the mine have been graded as

gem quality (Holmes, 1997); presumably, the remainder could be

used for industrial purposes. However, further production may be

delayed—the mine was closed and offered for sale late in 1997

(H. Coopersmith, The Colorado Diamond Company, oral

commun. 1998).

Consumption

The United States remained the world’s largest market for

industrial diamond in 1997. Based on economic indicators such

as production and trade data, it is estimated that U.S.

1Cubic boron nitride and silicon nitride are the hardest rivals.

2Diamond was used as a tool (for engraving) before 300 B.C.
23.2 DIAMOND, INDUSTRIAL—1997

consumption of industrial diamond rose to 284 million carats

during the year. This growth primarily reflects expanded output

in many domestic industries where diamond is used. The

following U.S. industry sectors were the principal consumers of

industrial diamond in 1997: construction, machinery

manufacturing, mining services (drilling, etc.), stone

cutting/polishing, and transportation systems (infrastructure and

vehicles3); within these sectors stone cutting and highway

building/repair together had the largest demand for industrial

diamond (Industrial Diamond Review. The early history, accessed

July 1, 1998, at URL http://www.idrmag.co.uk/history/

framed/text.htm). Research and high technology uses included

heat sinks in electronic circuits, lenses for laser radiation

equipment, and close-tolerance machining of ceramic parts for the

aerospace industry.

Diamond tools have a myriad of industrial functions. Diamond

drilling bits and reaming shells are used principally for mineral,

oil, and gas exploration. Additional applications for diamond bits

and reaming shells include foundation testing, masonry drilling,

and inspecting concrete in various structures. The primary uses of

point diamond tools are for dressing and truing grinding wheels

and for cutting, machining, boring, and finishing; beveling glass

for automobile windows also is an application. Cutting dimension

stone and cutting/grooving concrete in highway reconditioning

are the major uses of diamond saws; other applications include

the cutting of composites and the forming of refractory shapes for

furnace linings. Very fine diamond saws are used to slice brittle

metals and crystals into thin wafers for electronic and electric

devices. Diamond wire dies are essential for high-speed drawing

of fine wire, especially from hard, high-strength metals and

alloys. The primary uses of diamond grinding wheels include the

sharpening and shaping of carbide machine tool tips, die

grinding, plate glass edging, and optical grinding.

Two types of natural diamond are utilized by

industry—diamond stone (generally larger than 60 mesh/800

microns) and diamond bort (smaller, fragmented material).

Diamond stone is employed primarily in drilling bits and reaming

shells used by mining companies and also is incorporated in

single- or multiple-point diamond tools, diamond saws, diamond

wheels, and diamond wire-drawing dies. Diamond bort is utilized

for drilling bits and as a loose grain abrasive for polishing. Other

tools that incorporate natural diamond include engraving points,

glass cutters, bearings, and surgical instruments.

Synthetic diamond grit and powder are used in diamond

grinding wheels, saws, impregnated bits and tools, and as loose

abrasives compounds for polishing. Very large diamond grinding

wheels can be as much as 1 meter in diameter.

Loose powders and compounds made of synthetic diamond for

polishing are used primarily to finish optical surfaces, jewel

bearings, gemstones, wiredrawing dies, cutting tools, and

metallographic specimens. Hundreds of other products made from

metals, ceramics, plastics, and glass also are finished with

diamond powders and compounds.

The utilization of polycrystalline diamond shapes (PDS) and

polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDC) continues to increase for

many of the applications cited above, including some of those that

employ natural diamond. In particular, the use of PDS, PDC, and

matrix set synthetic diamond grit for drilling bits and reaming

shells has increased in recent years. Moreover, PDS and PDC are

used in the manufacture of single- and multiple-point tools, and

PDC is used in a majority of the diamond wire-drawing dies. The

manufacturing of PCD for PDS and PDC now accounts for much

of the diamond powder consumed in the United States (W. Born,

National Research Company, oral commun., 1998).

Prices

Natural and synthetic industrial diamonds differ significantly

in price (Boucher, 1997). Natural industrial diamond, which

normally has a more limited range of values, varies in price from

approximately 30 cents per carat for bort-size material to about $7

to $25 per carat for most stone. Synthetic industrial diamond has

a much more diverse variety of prices that varies according to

size, shape, crystallinity, and the absence or presence of metal

coatings. In general, synthetic diamond for grinding and

polishing varies from 30 cents per carat (as low as 10 cents per

carat for low quality material) to $1 per carat; strong and blocky

material for sawing and drilling sells for $3 to $4 per carat. Large

synthetic crystals with excellent structure for specific applications

sell for several hundred dollars per carat.

In 1997, the DOD appraised the average per-carat market value

of crushing bort and industrial stone in the NDS at $5.21 and

$26.41, respectively. In certain cases, however, significantly

higher assessments of industrial diamond in the stockpile have

been made by those who bid on diamonds offered for sale during

the year by the DOD; for example, some bidders at NDS disposal

sales have paid almost $100 per carat for stockpiled diamonds

that they valued as gem-quality stones.

Foreign Trade

The United States leads the world in industrial diamond trade.

In 1997, imports came from 27 countries, and exports-reexports

went to 42 countries. Although the United States is a major

producer of synthetic diamond, its growing domestic markets

have become more reliant on foreign sources of industrial

diamond in recent years. Moreover, U.S. markets for natural

industrial diamond always have been dependent on imports and

secondary recovery operations because domestic production of

natural diamond was lacking. The Colorado diamond mine noted

on page 2, however, may eventually reduce import reliance

somewhat if mining resumes.

During 1997, U.S. imports of diamond powder, dust, and grit

reached a record high of 254 million carats valued at $109

million. Imports of industrial quality stones were 2.8 million

carats valued at $21 million. China and Russia grew more

important as major sources of synthetic diamond for U.S. markets.

(See tables 1 and 2.)

During 1997, the United States exported and reexported 129

million carats of industrial diamond powder, dust, and grit valued

at $104 million. Additionally, the United States exported and

reexported about 3.6 million carats of industrial diamond stone

valued at $30 million. (See tables 3 and 4.)

3One and a half carats of industrial diamond reportedly are consumed in the

production of every American automobile.
DIAMOND, INDUSTRIAL—1997 23.3

World Review

Based on various reports (Boucher, 1997; Union Miniere,

1998), global demand for industrial diamond in 1997 was

estimated to be well above 500 million carats valued between

$650 and $800 million. The United States remained the world’s

largest single market for industrial diamond during the year as its

industrial base continued to expand. World demand for industrial

diamond in recent years had been growing at annual rates

exceeding 10% (Boucher, 1997). However, the decline of several

important Asian markets dampened demand for some products in

1997 (Ellis, 1998; Union Miniere, 1998).

More than 30 countries produced industrial diamond in 1997.

(See tables 5 and 6.) Two-thirds of global output, however, was

focused in just four countries: the United States, Ireland, Russia,

and South Africa (Boucher, 1997).4 Furthermore, at least 75% of

world’s synthetic output in 1997 was manufactured by only two

companies: General Electric and De Beers (Boucher, 1997). The

dominance of synthetic diamond was even more pronounced,

accounting for an estimated 90% of global production and

consumption.

Outlook

The United States will continue to be the world’s largest market

for industrial diamond well into the 21st century and will remain

a significant producer and exporter of industrial diamond as well.

Strength of U.S. demand will depend on the vitality of the

Nation’s industrial base and on how well the life cycle costeffectiveness of diamond compares with competing materials that

initially are less expensive. Requirements for more precision

machining and attempts to compensate for future increases in

labor and energy costs also could spur demand.

The construction industry is likely to exhibit the most dramatic

increase in U.S. demand for industrial diamond as the $200

billion Federal Transportation Equity Act legislation of 1998 is

implemented to improve the Nation’s highway system.5

Fulfillment of the Act will require significant quantities of sawgrade diamond for the repair and replacement of roads, bridges,

and other components in the transportation infrastructure of the

country.

As in the United States, world demand for industrial diamond

will continue to grow during the next few years. Constant-dollar

prices of synthetic diamond products, including chemical vapor

deposition diamond films, will decline as production technologies

become more cost effective and competition from low cost

producers in China and Russia increases. Nevertheless, competing

demand for diamond among certain consuming industries could

induce short-term price increases for some products (W. Born,

National Research Company, oral commun., 1998). Moreover,

concentration of production among a limited number of major

industrial diamond manufacturers could tend to limit price

reductions.

PCD for abrasive tools and wear parts will continue to replace

competing materials in many industrial applications by extending

tool life, increasing product diversity, providing closer tolerances,

and yielding lower parts cost (T. Corcoran, ANCO Industrial

Diamond Corp., written commun., 1997). For example, PDC and

PDS will continue to displace natural diamond stone and tungsten

carbide products used in the drilling and tooling industries (W.

Born, National Research Company, written commun., 1997).

Truing and dressing applications will remain a major domestic

end-use for natural industrial diamond stone. The stone cannot be

manufactured commercially. No shortage of the stone is

anticipated, however, because new mines (for example, in

Canada) and more producers selling in the rough diamond market

will maintain ample supplies (T. Corcoran, ANCO Industrial

Diamond Corp., written commun., 1997). More competition

introduced by the additional sources may temper price increases

as well.

References Cited

Boucher, Michel, 1997, Diamonds: Canadian Minerals Yearbook Chapter, Reprint,

Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 19 p.

———1996, Overview of the diamond industry: Industrial Minerals ’96 conference,

Toronto, October, 22, p. 2.

Ellis, Roger (ed.), 1998, De Beers’ industrial diamonds: Annual Review Supplement

to Mining Journal, v. 330, no. 8481, May 22, p. 18.

Holmes, George, 1997, Kelsey lake moves forward: Jewelers’ Circular Keystone,

November, p. 23.

Spear, K.E. and Dismuks, J.P., 1994, Synthetic diamond: New York, John Wiley &

Sons, Inc., 663 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1998, The mineral industry of Colorado: U.S. Geological

Survey Mineral Industry Surveys, July, p. 2.

Union Miniere, 1998, 1997 annual report: Brussels, Belgium, p. 31.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

U.S. Geological Survey Publications

Abrasives. Ch. in United States mineral resources, U.S.

Geological Survey Professional Paper 820, 1973.

Diamond (Industrial). Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries,

annual.6

Diamond, Industrial. Ch. in Minerals Yearbook, annual.6

Gemstones. Ch. in Minerals Yearbook, annual.6

Other

De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, 1997, Annual Report:

Kimberley, South Africa.

Diamond–Industrial. Ch. in Mineral facts and problems, U.S.

Bureau of Mines Bulletin 675, 1985.

Finer Points (quarterly).

Industrial Diamond Review (bi-monthly).

4Some reports estimate that Ireland may be the largest producer, at least for certain

major products.

5The legislation (P.L. 105-178; enacted June 9, 1998) is titled, Transportation

Equity Act for the 21st Century, and will fund road building/repair through 2003.

6Prior to January 1996, published by the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
TABLE 1

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF INDUSTRIAL DIAMOND STONES, BY COUNTRY 1/

(Thousand carats and thousand dollars)

Natural industrial diamond stones

(including glazers' and Miners' diamond,

engraver's diamond unset) natural and synthetic

(7102.21.3000 and .4000) (7102.21.1010 and .1020)

1996 1997 1996 1997

Country Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/

Belgium 206 1,200 238 1,320 276 735 308 3,700

China 47 80 12 15 (4/) 10 - - - - 

Congo (Kinshasa) 3/ 354 796 19 287 101 1,710 20 1,180

Ghana 181 1,000 252 1,910 87 577 130 682

India 7 119 46 47 (4/) 2 (4/) 7

Ireland 133 289 326 503 6 20 120 18

Japan (4/) 17 6 136 - - - - - - - - 

South Africa (4/) 16 6 165 (4/) 85 2 243

Switzerland 6 20 2 20 201 417 357 840

United Kingdom 402 3,520 139 549 495 6,990 225 6,190

Other 342 r/ 3,270 r/ 551 3,200 14 r/ 680 r/ 28 443

 Total 1,680 10,300 1,600 8,150 1,180 11,200 1,190 13,300

r/ Revised.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Customs value.

3/ Formerly Zaire.

4/ Less than 1/2 unit.

Source: Bureau of the Census.

TABLE 2

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF DIAMOND POWDER, DUST AND GRIT, BY COUNTRY 1/

(Thousand carats and thousand dollars)

Diamond powder and dust

Synthetic Natural

(7105.10.0020; .0030 and .0050) (7105.10.0011 and .0015)

1996 1997 1996 1997

Country Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/

Belgium 3,100 4,210 3,910 4,900 1,790 2,130 2,520 2,320

China 23,800 5,150 39,000 7,250 7,320 994 9,270 1,510

France 177 109 1,320 810 77 190 347 157

Germany 7,920 1,850 1,920 393 24 19 30 35

Ghana 190 181 269 203 328 396 296 197

Hong Kong 4,440 797 1,180 297 1,950 401 1,170 145

India 54 41 526 181 209 100 135 61

Ireland 112,000 61,400 108,000 63,200 2,390 1,300 2,450 1,400

Japan 4,240 2,240 5,620 2,790 2 6 12 13

Korea, Republic of 25,000 9,290 14,800 8,950 876 636 764 473

Russia 9,930 2,100 46,900 6,730 1,070 210 399 100

Switzerland 1,340 946 5,870 2,090 332 195 380 467

United Kingdom 5,500 1,970 2,810 2,590 433 333 766 391

Other 3,610 r/ 1,230 r/ 2,110 618 583 r/ 471 r/ 771 773

 Total 201,000 91,500 235,000 101,000 17,400 7,370 19,300 8,040

r/ Revised.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Customs value.

Source: Bureau of the Census.
TABLE 3

U.S. EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL DIAMOND STONES, BY COUNTRY 1/

(Thousand carats and thousand dollars)

Industrial unworked diamonds

(7102.21.0000 )

1996 1997

Country Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/

Belgium 1,650 14,500 1,840 15,300

Canada 328 1,120 432 1,270

Germany 50 394 83 655

Hong Kong 55 572 93 746

Ireland 73 325 20 200

Israel 53 397 135 1,820

Italy 17 39 13 71

Japan 768 6,880 729 7,350

Korea, Republic of 106 976 98 831

Netherlands 25 246 16 88

Switzerland 16 163 23 219

United Kingdom 43 416 34 340

Other 75 r/ 544 r/ 82 657

 Total 3,260 26,600 3,590 29,500

r/ Revised.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Customs value.

Source: Bureau of the Census.
TABLE 4

U.S. EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL DIAMOND POWDER, DUST AND GRIT, BY COUNTRY 1/

(Thousand carats and thousand dollars)

Diamond powder and dust

Synthetic Natural

(7105.10.0025) (7105.10.1010) 

1996 1997 1996 1997

Country Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/ Quantity Value 2/

Australia 625 1,290 679 1,290 34 69 11 28

Austria 1,260 962 1,380 821 194 72 112 126

Belgium 2,180 2,070 5,490 5,490 327 260 400 330

Brazil 1,480 1,010 1,860 1,240 96 79 5 3

Canada 2,990 6,280 3,910 7,200 49 112 125 306

China 1,280 497 1,590 1,190 - - - - - - - - 

France 232 184 126 78 16 25 11 28

Germany 17,300 19,300 4,960 3,520 279 233 155 140

Hong Kong 7,700 3,620 4,130 3,280 163 139 348 92

India 4,130 2,310 9,500 3,810 - - - - 28 30

Ireland 10,800 13,200 26,700 29,900 214 412 140 294

Israel 290 130 240 93 219 53 974 222

Italy 999 607 1,540 688 84 87 108 70

Japan 25,000 20,900 25,800 20,600 334 324 747 631

Korea, Republic of 12,300 9,000 11,000 7,850 143 268 77 34

Luxembourg 115 73 259 195 170 198 62 68

Macao 834 190 1,660 406 - - - - 309 165

Malaysia 465 150 982 525 64 37 2 4

Mexico 193 131 294 259 169 145 194 138

Singapore 1,460 1,020 6,550 3,190 147 161 97 65

Switzerland 2,100 988 3,110 1,660 221 197 360 232

Taiwan 3,940 2,570 6,460 3,910 218 108 11 3

Thailand 450 376 533 335 12 34 127 104

United Kingdom 3,240 1,960 2,810 773 1,410 1,080 1,380 706

Other 1,870 r/ 1,360 r/ 1,250 1,310 27 r/ 20 r/ 97 177

 Total 103,000 90,200 123,000 99,500 4,590 4,110 5,880 4,000

r/ Revised.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Customs value.

Source: Bureau of the Census.
TABLE 5

NATURAL DIAMOND: ESTIMATED WORLD PRODUCTION, BY TYPE AND COUNTRY 1/ 2/

(Thousand carats)

Country 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Gemstones: 3/

 Angola 130 270 2,600 r/ 2,250 r/ 1,110

 Australia 18,800 19,500 18,300 18,897 4/ 18,100

 Botswana 10,300 10,550 4/ 11,500 12,700 r/ 13,000

 Brazil 1,000 300 676 r/ 4/ 200 r/ 300

 Central African Republic 370 4/ 401 r/ 400 350 400

 China 230 230 230 230 230

 Congo (Kinshasa) 5/ 2,010 4,000 4,000 3,600 r/ 2,500

 Ghana 106 4/ 118 4/ 126 142 r/ 140

 Guinea 134 306 274 165 160

 Liberia 60 40 60 60 60

 Namibia 1,120 1,312 4/ 1,382 4/ 1,420 r/ 1,500

 Russia 8,000 8,500 9,000 9,250 9,550

 Sierra Leone 90 155 113 162 4/ 110

 South Africa 4,600 5,050 5,070 4,280 r/ 4,380

 Venezuela 267 r/ 380 r/ 125 r/ 105 r/ 100

 Zimbabwe 26 104 114 300 r/ 350

 Other 101 r/ 180 r/ 183 r/ 231 r/ 235

 Total 47,400 r/ 51,400 54,200 r/ 54,400 r/ 52,200

Industrial: 

 Angola 15 30 300 250 r/ 124

 Australia 23,000 23,800 22,400 23,096 4/ 22,100

 Botswana 4,420 5,000 5,300 5,000 5,000

 Brazil 600 600 600 600 600

 Central African Republic 125 131 130 120 100

 China 850 850 900 900 900

 Congo (Kinshasa) 5/ 13,600 13,000 13,000 17,000 r/ 12,500

 Ghana 484 4/ 473 4/ 505 573 r/ 560

 Guinea 33 75 91 40 40

 Liberia 90 60 90 90 90

 Russia 8,000 8,500 9,000 9,250 9,550

 Sierra Leone 68 100 101 108 90

 South Africa 5,700 5,800 5,880 5,670 r/ 5,790

 Venezuela 144 r/ 203 r/ 66 r/ 55 r/ 50

 Zimbabwe 18 69 90 137 r/ 100

 Other 117 r/ 96 r/ 127 r/ 149 r/ 151

 Total 57,300 r/ 58,800 r/ 58,600 63,000 r/ 57,700

 Grand total 105,000 110,000 113,000 117,000 110,000

r/ Revised. 

1/ World totals and estimated data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Table includes data available through May 27, 1998. 

3/ Includes near-gem and cheap-gem qualities.

4/ Reported figure.

5/ Formerly Zaire.
TABLE 6

SYNTHETIC DIAMOND: ESTIMATED WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY 1/ 2/

(Thousand carats)

Country 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Belarus 30,000 3/ 25,000 3/ 25,000 25,000 25,000

China 15,500 15,500 15,500 15,500 16,000

Czech Republic 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

France 3,500 3,500 3,000 3,000 3,500

Greece 1,000 1,000 1,000 750 750

Ireland 65,000 65,000 60,000 60,000 60,000

Japan 32,000 32,000 32,000 32,000 32,000

Poland 98 3/ 271 3/ 256 3/ 250 3/ 250

Romania 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

Russia 80,000 80,000 80,000 80,000 80,000

Slovakia 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

South Africa 60,000 3/ 60,000 60,000 60,000 60,000

Sweden 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000

Ukraine 10,000 3/ 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000

United States 103,000 104,000 115,000 114,000 125,000

 Total 440,000 434,000 440,000 439,000 451,000

r/ Revised. 

1/ World totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Table includes data available through May 27, 1998.

3/ Reported figure.