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India: A colour gemstones powerhouse

The future for India colour gemstones industry is bright. The next five years will be great for India’s colour gemstones industry: Nirmal Bardiya

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Nirmal Bardiya, MD-RMC GEMS and Regional Chairman- Rajasthan Region,GJEPC is an icon in the colour gemstone industry. His exemplary leadership and deep domain expertise of the colour gemstone industry has seen him ably leading his enterprise RMC GEMS, as well as GJEPC for Rajasthan region. Nirmal Bardiya has been honoured with “Gem Dealer of the Decade” award by Indian Diamond and Colour Stone Association (IDCA), USA in 2010.He spoke to JEWELBUZZ on India’s might in the global colour gemstone market, export and domestic market overview and other aspects of the colour gemstone sector.

Overview of Indian colour gemstone segment

The domestic colour gemstone market was a bit slow in the last few months , but now there’s an uptick , and there will be further spike with purchase for the forthcoming marriage season. Also, the dip in demand for diamonds has aided the growth of coloured gemstones segment.

Indian colour gemstones exports are mainly to the US, Europe, Russia and China. 7The slowdown in China has greatly affected the quantum of exports. Exports have slowed down, but we  should see an increase, especially for the US region driven by demand for the forthcoming Christmas season. October onwards there will be uptick in both domestic and exports segment.

Market Trends

Besides emeralds and rubies, which have always been best sellers, the stones that have gained popularity are rubellite, tourmaline, kunzite, peach morganite and tanzanite. There are also stones like paraiba , which are in the premium category; they are expensive and not within reach of all consumers.

Designers are increasingly emphasizing  on gemstones. In India, US and other markets, diamonds+colour gemstones combination is a hot trend.

Challenges

Speaking of challenges or problems,there is raw material supply shortage for most colour stones  besides emerald; emerald supply is steady.

Certification

Certification provides consumers with confidence in the authenticity of their purchase. Currently the certification system for gemstones is not regulated. Many of the labs are not adhering to standards and their certification has no value. GJEPC is working with the Indian government to establish uniform certification standards and ensure that only certification from authorized labs (a mix of government and private labs) will be considered valid. Currently government labs are based in Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Sustainability and ethical sourcing

Sustainability and ethical sourcing is a very important issue. it is essential for exporters to show they comply with sustainability and ethical sourcing norms, else they will lose global customers.

Exports oriented in Sitapur export zone are regularly audited for sustainability and ethical sourcing. Exporters are also obtaining Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) certification.RJC’s Code of Practices is a landmark standard for the jewellery supply chain and addresses a wide range of supply chain issues, including business ethics, human rights, social and environmental performance.

India jewellery designing

India is known for its expertise in  gemstone cutting and jewellery designing and manufacturing. In our current jewellery designers we see traditional craftsmanship meeting modern design.With regard to our current jewellery design education and training, I feel it needs to be strengthened further to make us truly competitive globally.

GJEPC’s aggressive promotion

GJEPC has been aggressively promoting the colour gemstones segment.Initiatives include exhibitions, marketing outreach and advertising campaigns. GJEPC’s International Gem & Jewellery Show which features only select foreign buyers is a great buyer-seller platform to drive colour gemstones exports.

India: A colour gemstones powerhouse

India, renowned for its rich heritage in gemstone mining and jewellery making, is capitalizing on a global resurgence in demand for coloured gemstones.India is seen as a powerhouse in the colour gemstones segment. Jaipur and Bangkok , the two  main  colour gemstones  markets  control 90 percent of the global trade.Jaipur is truly a  global capital for colour gemstones jewellery.

The future for India’s colour gemstones industry is bright: both, domestic sales and exports will see steady growth. The next five years will be great for India’s colour gemstones industry.

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India’s Next Decade in Jewellery Exports: Scale, Discipline & Global Positioning

By Darshan Chauhan,  Director –

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Sky Gold Ltd.

India’s jewellery export journey has been built on generations of craftsmanship, entrepreneurial resilience and an unmatched manufacturing ecosystem. From artisan-led workshops to technologically advanced facilities, the country has steadily earned global recognition as a reliable sourcing destination. Yet the coming decade represents a transition. The conversation is no longer only about producing more; it is about exporting smarter, operating with discipline and positioning India as a structured global partner rather than merely a manufacturing base.

The global jewellery trade itself is undergoing a quiet transformation. International buyers today evaluate suppliers through a wider lens. Design capability and competitive pricing remain important, but equal weight is now given to compliance, transparency, delivery consistency and financial stability. Export relationships are becoming long-term strategic partnerships rather than transactional buying arrangements.

For Indian exporters, this shift presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.

One of the most significant changes ahead will be market diversification. The United States has historically driven a substantial share of India’s jewellery exports, and it will continue to remain a vital market. However, concentration in a single geography exposes businesses to currency fluctuations, economic cycles and regulatory shifts. The Middle East has emerged as a strong growth corridor, supported by trade agreements, logistical advantages and evolving consumer demand. At the same time, regions such as Australia and parts of Europe are opening opportunities for exporters willing to meet higher compliance standards.

Diversification, therefore, is not about expanding aggressively into every market. It is about building balanced exposure that enhances stability while protecting margins.

Alongside geographic expansion, compliance is becoming a defining factor in global positioning. Responsible sourcing practices, traceability systems and governance standards are increasingly shaping procurement decisions. International brands are consolidating supplier networks and partnering with exporters who demonstrate reliability beyond production capability. In this environment, compliance should not be viewed as an external obligation. It strengthens credibility and enables access to premium markets where trust carries measurable value.

Equally important is capital discipline. Jewellery exports operate within a high-value commodity framework where gold price volatility directly impacts profitability. Elevated gold prices amplify the cost of inefficiencies, whether through excess inventory, unhedged exposure or extended payment cycles. Export growth in the coming decade will depend on closer alignment between procurement, treasury management and production planning. Structured hedging practices, bullion banking relationships and disciplined working capital management will increasingly separate stable exporters from vulnerable ones.

 Manufacturing evolution will also play a central role. India already possesses scale; the next step is precision. Technology adoption, including CNC manufacturing, advanced prototyping and integrated digital production systems, enhances consistency while reducing wastage. Global buyers value predictability as much as creativity. When craftsmanship is supported by

process-driven manufacturing, India’s competitive advantage becomes far more compelling.

At the same time, India must gradually move beyond being perceived solely as a cost-competitive supplier. Countries that have successfully strengthened their global positioning have invested in design identity, innovation and long-term brand perception. Indian exporters have the opportunity to shift the narrative toward reliability, creativity and manufacturing excellence. Building deeper partnerships with international buyers, rather than focusing only on order volumes, will help achieve this transition.

Sustainability is emerging as another critical dimension of export strategy. Renewable energy adoption, responsible sourcing and environmental accountability are becoming key evaluation criteria in developed markets. These initiatives are not merely ethical considerations; they are risk-management tools that safeguard long-term market access. Exporters who align early with global sustainability expectations will find themselves better positioned as international standards continue to evolve.

Domestic retail trends are also influencing export direction more than before. The growing demand for lightweight, versatile jewellery in India mirrors changing consumer preferences globally. Faster design cycles and data-led product planning are reshaping manufacturing strategies. Exporters who remain closely connected to consumer behaviour both domestically and internationally gain stronger foresight into demand patterns.

The next decade of Indian jewellery exports will therefore be defined by alignment: scale supported by systems, creativity supported by discipline and growth supported by governance. India already has the foundation, skilled artisans, manufacturing depth and strong global relationships. The opportunity now lies in strengthening operational maturity.

If approached with clarity and intention, India can transition from being viewed primarily as the world’s jewellery workshop to being recognised as a trusted global partner in design, manufacturing and supply chain excellence. The future of exports will not depend solely on how much we produce, but on how confidently global markets rely on us.

In that shift lies the true potential of India’s next decade in jewellery exports.

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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

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