India’s gem exports rise 3.14% in August as shipments of studded gold jewelry rise

India’s gems and jewelery exports rose 3.14 per cent year-on-year to $2.3 billion (Rs 21,945.87 crore) in August as a sharp rise in shipments of gold-studded jewelery and higher diamond export volumes supported the overall performance, the Gems and Jewelery 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 jewelery emerged as one of the strongest segments during the month, with exports of plain and studded jewelery together rising 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 growth.The rise was led by studded gold jewellery, whose exports rose 51.22 per cent to $642.85 million (Rs 6,137.81 crore). On the contrary, exports of plain gold jewelery fell by 23.90% to $356.97 million (Rs 3,408.32 million).Rising gold prices and limited availability of duty-free gold to exporters weighed on shipments of simple jewelry. The resulting rise in input costs also put pressure on the competitiveness of pure gold jewelery 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 jewelery exports also came alongside increased demand for finished and value-added jewelery in international markets, which was reflected in the sharp rise in studded jewelery shipments.“August’s export performance reflects the resilience and adaptability of India’s gems and jewelery industry. The rise in diamond export volumes, coupled with strong growth in gold studded jewelery exports, highlights India’s growing ability to create greater value by transforming precious materials into finished jewellery,” said GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali.This marks an important step in India’s evolution from a major processing hub to a global design, manufacturing and value-added hub, he said.With continued policy support, innovation and access to international markets, India is well positioned to capture a greater share of value across the global jewelery supply chain, Bhansali added.Exports of cut and polished diamonds declined 4.93% year-on-year in value to $924.51 million (Rs 8,828.65 crore) in August. However, export volume increased by 3.23%, with shipments increasing to 13.36 lakh carats from 12.94 lakh carats in August 2025.Other jewelry categories posted mixed results. Silver jewelery exports fell 39.66% to $86.68 million (Rs 827.20 crore).Meanwhile, exports of lab-grown polished diamonds rose 28.45% to $125.17 million (Rs 1,195.18 crore), with Hong Kong, Israel, Thailand, Russia and Canada accounting for strong demand.Exports of colored gemstones also recorded an increase of 34.40%, reaching $49.07 million (Rs 468.78 million). According to the data, the growth was supported by demand from Thailand, Hong Kong, Italy and the United States.