Surat: India’s gem and jewellery exports grew 3.14% year-on-year to $2.30 billion in Aug 2026, driven by a sharp rise in studded gold jewellery exports, which surged by 51.22% and highlighted increasing value addition through domestic manufacturing of finished jewellery.Studded gold jewellery exports for Aug rose to $642.85 million from $425 million a year earlier. Industry participants said more diamonds are being set into finished jewellery within India, creating greater value across the manufacturing chain and supporting employment in design, setting and fabrication.For April-Aug 2026, cumulative gross gem and jewellery exports stood at $11.47 billion, up 2.58% from the corresponding period last year.Kirit Bhansali, chairperson of the GJEPC, said, “Aug’s export performance reflects the resilience and adaptability of India’s gem and jewellery industry. The increase in diamond export volumes, along with the sharp growth in studded gold jewellery exports, highlights India’s growing ability to create greater value by transforming precious materials into finished jewellery.”He added, “This marks an important step in India’s evolution from a major processing centre to a global hub for design, manufacturing and value addition. With continued policy support, innovation and access to international markets, India is well positioned to capture a larger share of value across the global jewellery supply chain.”Industry observers said the growth in studded gold jewellery exports points to a larger share of diamonds being incorporated into finished jewellery manufactured in India, generating additional value within the domestic industry.Cut and polished diamond (CPD) exports declined during the month, though the trade reported signs of renewed demand in international markets. Polished lab-grown diamonds recorded growth in both value and volume.In Aug 2026, CPD exports totalled 13.36 lakh carats, down from 14.22 lakh carats in Aug 2025, a decline of 3.23% in volume. Polished lab-grown diamond exports increased to 20.42 lakh carats from 14.22 lakh carats a year earlier, registering a 43.58% rise in volume.On the import side, rough diamond imports fell 33% to $25.64 million as the industry sought to regulate supply and support price stability amid improving conditions in the natural diamond market. Rough lab-grown diamond imports rose 40% to $4.87 million.Plain gold jewellery and silver jewellery exports declined during the month, while studded gold jewellery remained the strongest-performing category.
