India’s gem and jewellery (G&J) exports declined by 11.72% in the financial year 2024-25, totaling USD 28.5 billion, compared to USD 32.28 billion in FY24. The industry grappled with multiple global challenges including sluggish demand in key markets like the US and China, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and rising competition from lab-grown diamonds.

Despite the overall decline, exports of studded gold jewellery rose by 14% year-on-year to USD 6.1 billion, and platinum jewellery exports also saw an uptick of 11.79% to USD 182.75 million. In contrast, exports of cut and polished diamonds (CPD), the sector’s largest component, plummeted 16.75% to USD 13.2 billion, while silver jewellery exports dropped a staggering 40.58% to USD 962 million.

The imposition of a 26% US tariff on certain goods triggered a last-minute surge in exports, with over USD 1 billion worth of shipments sent in the 10 days prior to the tariff’s implementation — a sign of underlying global demand potential.

On the import front, gross G&J imports fell 11.96% to USD 19.6 billion, down from USD 22.2 billion in the previous fiscal year. Imports of rough diamonds, a key raw material, dropped 24.27% in value to USD 10.8 billion, while the volume declined 16.2% to 1,044.34 lakh carats.

Exports of lab-grown polished diamonds were also impacted, declining by 9.64% to USD 1.2 billion.

Gold jewellery exports were relatively stable, recording only a marginal decline of 0.11% to USD 11.21 billion. Of this, plain gold jewellery contributed USD 5.1 billion.

Signs of recovery were visible from January 2025 onwards, with month-on-month growth, although still trailing behind year-on-year figures. Exports in March 2025 were USD 2.5 billion, showing a modest 1.02% growth over February, but slightly below the USD 2.55 billion recorded in March 2024.

Industry players remain cautiously optimistic, citing stabilizing diamond prices and improving market sentiment as early indicators of a turnaround, despite ongoing global uncertainty.