India’s gem exports rise 3.14% in August as studded gold jewellery shipments surge

India’s gem and jewellery exports rose 3.14% year-on-year to $2.30 billion (Rs 21,945.87 crore) in August, as a sharp increase in shipments of studded gold jewellery and higher diamond export volumes supported the overall performance, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said on Saturday.The industry had recorded total exports of $2.23 billion (Rs 19,503.52 crore) in August 2025.Gold jewellery emerged as one of the stronger segments during the month, with exports of plain and studded jewellery together increasing 11.81% year-on-year to $999.83 million (Rs 9,546.12 crore). Demand from the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and France supported the growth.The increase was led by studded gold jewellery, whose exports jumped 51.22% to $642.85 million (Rs 6,137.81 crore).

Plain gold jewellery, in contrast, saw exports fall 23.90% to $356.97 million (Rs 3,408.32 crore).Rising gold prices and limited availability of duty-free gold for exporters weighed on plain jewellery shipments. The resulting increase in input costs also put pressure on the competitiveness of plain gold jewellery exports.Gold prices rose 8.27% month-on-month in August, from $4,073.92 per ounce in July 2026 to $4,410.89 per ounce.

The movement in gold jewellery exports also came alongside stronger demand for finished and value-added jewellery in international markets, reflected in the sharp rise in studded jewellery shipments."August'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," GJEPC chairman Kirit Bhansali said.This marks an important step in India's evolution from a major processing centre to a global hub for design, manufacturing and value addition, he stated.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, Bhansali added.Cut and polished diamond exports declined 4.93% year-on-year in value to $924.51 million (Rs 8,828.65 crore) in August.

However, the volume of exports increased 3.23%, with shipments rising to 13.36 lakh carats from 12.94 lakh carats in August 2025.Other jewellery categories recorded mixed results. Silver jewellery exports fell 39.66% to $86.68 million (Rs 827.20 crore).Polished lab-grown diamond exports, meanwhile, increased 28.45% to $125.17 million (Rs 1,195.18 crore), with Hong Kong, Israel, Thailand, Russia and Canada accounting for strong demand.Coloured gemstone exports also recorded a rise of 34.40%, reaching $49.07 million (Rs 468.78 crore). The growth was supported by demand from Thailand, Hong Kong, Italy and the US, according to the data.