JB Insights
China’s diamond market undergoes dramatic recalibration
Shifting consumer values and economic headwinds drive transformation
Once a powerhouse of global luxury demand, China’s diamond market is experiencing a profound transformation, reflecting both changing consumer values and evolving economic realities. Liang Weizhang, CEO of HubWis Jewellery Strategic Creations (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., provides an in-depth analysis of the latest trends, underlying drivers, and strategic imperatives for the industry.

Market Contraction Signals New Era
According to the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, the diamond market shrank from RMB 100 billion in 2021 to RMB 43 billion in 2024-a 57% drop-while diamonds’ share of the overall jewelry market fell from 14% to 6%. This contraction stands in stark contrast to the sector’s previous rapid expansion, but signals not just a downturn, but a realignment of consumer priorities and market structures.

Jewelry Market Rebalances as Gold Surges
While diamond demand has cooled, gold jewelry has surged, increasing its market share from 58% to 73% between 2021 and 2024. Other segments, such as jade and pearls, have seen volatility. Despite these shifts, the total Chinese jewelry market remains resilient, growing from RMB 720.5 billion in 2021 to RMB 820 billion in 2023, before a modest dip to RMB 778.8 billion in 2024. This underscores a rebalancing across categories rather than a wholesale decline in jewelry demand.

Imports and Prices Reflect Downward Pressure
Customs data reveal a 73% drop in the volume of gem-quality diamond imports between 2021 and 2024, with import values plummeting 83%. Even as the volume of imports fell only 4% year-on-year in 2024, the value declined 40%, indicating significant downward pressure on prices and a shift toward more affordable, differentiated products.
Younger Consumers Drive Value Shift
Millennials and Gen Z are redefining luxury, prioritizing individuality, ethical sourcing, and value. For many, diamonds are now one of many ways to express personal identity rather than the ultimate status symbol. The rapid rise of laboratory-grown diamonds-offering sustainability and affordability-has further diversified the market, challenging the dominance of natural stones.
Macroeconomic and Demographic Factors at Play
China’s moderated GDP growth and declining marriage rates have dampened demand for traditional diamond jewelry, particularly engagement rings. Consumers are increasingly drawn to gold, which offers both adornment and investment value, while diamond brands must work harder to connect emotionally and symbolically with buyers.
Strategic Adjustments for the Future
Industry leaders caution against viewing the contraction as permanent. Instead, they advocate for differentiated offerings, stronger storytelling, and digital engagement. Regional diversity within China presents growth opportunities, especially in emerging cities with distinct consumer profiles. Early signs of stabilization-such as increased activity at the Hong Kong Jewellery Show-offer cautious optimism for a gradual recovery
A Market Redefining Itself
Liang Weizhang concludes: “China’s diamond sector is not in decline, but in the midst of redefinition. Success will depend on how well the industry interprets evolving consumer aspirations and navigates the interplay of tradition, innovation, and value.”
JB Insights
Gifting That Lasts – How Gold and Silver Coins Bridge Heritage and Modern Life
Ketan Kothari , Director of Augmont
Most people think of gifting gold and silver as a nod to nostalgia. In reality, it’s one of the few traditions that has outperformed every modern “smart” gift you can name. Long before fintech apps and inflation charts, Indian households treated these metals as portable wealth, a hedge against uncertainty, and a quiet transfer of wisdom from one generation to the next. That logic has not aged a day; rather, it remains even more relevant in a world where assets can be compromised with a password reset.

What has changed is the way these coins look and live in our lives. Classic Lakshmi – Ganesh motifs now share space with clean, contemporary designs that feel at home in a digital world. The modern take on it makes each piece both timeless and current. Every coin carries its own story, turning family milestones into tangible memories while steadily gaining value as gold and silver prices continue to climb year after year. It is beauty and intrinsic value in one small disc. It is a heritage you can hold, and an investment built to last across generations.
Augmont brings this legacy to life with coins that pair high purity with artistry that honors tradition while embracing today’s aesthetic, offering a gift as enduring as the heritage it represents.


Why Choose Augmont Coins?
1. A Range That Resonates
From divine Lakshmi–Ganesh motifs to limited editions and unique designs in 24K and 22K gold and silver, Augmont offers a variety that suits every occasion. Each coin is crafted to celebrate moments that matter, whether personal milestones or festive rituals.
2. Stories Encased in Metal
These coins carry meaning at multiple levels. Many are tied to festivals, family traditions, or commemorative events, reimagining each piece as a memory that endures alongside its value.
3. Quality That Lasts Generations
Augmont coins are designed with precision and aim to withstand time. Their enduring craftsmanship ensures they remain beautiful keepsakes, ready to be passed down as family heirlooms while preserving their shine and value.
4. Trust You Can Hold
Every coin comes with 999 purity, BIS-certified refinery credentials, and secure packaging. Rigorous minting checks and transparent authenticity measures make each coin a reliable investment as well as a meaningful gift.
5. Versatility Across Life and Legacy
Whether it’s for a festival, a milestone, a special reward, or just a smart personal investment, Augmont coins fit naturally into the moment, carrying both meaning and value without ever feeling out of place.
6. A Legacy of Trust
Trusted by thousands of jewellers and millions of users across the country, Augmont coins have become a choice people rely on, not just for their value, but for the assurance they carry.
How Tradition Meets Technology
1. Timed for Auspicious Moments
Gold and silver coins remain the benchmark for occasions like Diwali, Akshaya Tritiya, and other auspicious events. With digital and quick-commerce platforms, these timeless gifts can now be bought and gifted instantly, without compromising the ritual.
2. Convenience Of Payment
UPI-enabled transactions bring efficiency without losing the emotional value of gifting.
3. A Platform Built for Today
Platforms like Augmont make it easy to combine tradition with today’s convenience, whether it’s setting up Gold/Silver SIPs, picking Gold/Silver coins online, storing them securely, or redeeming as per convenience. The old and the new come together without missing a beat.
Gold and silver coins have a way of staying with us long after the festival. They become part of the stories families live and share. A coin given at Diwali, added to a wedding trousseau, or exchanged to mark a milestone, holds memories, celebrates relationships, and marks achievements. Over the years, these coins carry the weight of tradition, the joy of moments lived, and the reassurance of foresight. By bringing the past into the present, they turn every gift into something personal, lasting, and truly memorable.
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