Ahmedabad: India’s gross gem and jewellery exports rose 9.4% year on year to $3 billion in Sept 2026, supported by growth in gold jewellery and polished lab-grown diamonds, according to data released by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).Exports stood at $14.3 billion during April-Sept 2026, up 3.1% from the corresponding period last year. In rupee terms, exports grew 13.4% to Rs 1.4 lakh crore during the first half of the 2026-27 financial year.Gold jewellery exports, comprising plain and studded jewellery, rose 11.4% to $6.3 billion during April-Sept. Studded gold jewellery exports increased 31.3% to $3.7 billion, while plain gold jewellery exports fell 8.8% to $2.5 billion.GJEPC chairperson Kirit Bhansali attributed the growth in studded gold jewellery exports to improved market access under free trade agreements, lower US tariffs and stronger performance in markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore and France.Plain gold jewellery exports continued to face pressure from high gold prices and challenging market conditions in the Middle East, a key destination for the segment. Gold prices rose 31.2% in dollar terms to $4,415.7 per troy ounce during April-Sept, compared with $3,366.4 in the corresponding period last year, the council said.Cut and polished diamond exports declined 7% in dollar terms to $5.8 billion during the first half. Export volumes, however, increased 4.6% to 84 lakh carats from 80.3 lakh carats a year earlier. Exports in rupee terms rose 2.3% to Rs 55,336 crore.Polished lab-grown diamond exports grew 17.1% to $685.1 million during the period. Silver jewellery exports increased 23.1% to $729.3 million, while platinum jewellery exports rose 15.8% to $123.3 million. Coloured gemstone exports declined 3.8% to $227.6 million.Gold jewellery exports rose 34% year on year to $1.2 billion, led by a 50.2% increase in studded gold jewellery exports to $812.6 million. Plain gold jewellery exports grew 8.8% to $378 million. Cut and polished diamond exports fell 5.4% to $1.3 billion in Sept, while polished lab-grown diamond exports rose 40.7% to $151.4 million.Silver jewellery exports declined 12.5% to $134.5 million during the month. Platinum jewellery exports increased 1.3% to $23 million, while coloured gemstone exports fell 7.4% to $74.9 million.Bhansali said, “Higher export volumes and signs of improving diamond prices offered some indication of recovery in the cut and polished diamond segment. There is rising demand for higher-value, design-led silver jewellery in international markets.”
