Diamond manufacturers in Surat, India’s diamond polishing hub, have begun implementing summer shutdowns for the first time in years as demand for natural stones remains persistently weak and the threat of steep U.S. tariffs looms over the industry.

Traditionally, factories in Surat—home to nearly 4,000 diamond units—take their main annual break during Diwali, remaining operational through the summer months. However, the ongoing downturn has prompted many units to extend Diwali closures and introduce unpaid summer breaks, a move not seen in previous years.

Around 10% of Surat’s diamond factories have declared a summer holiday of at least 15 days, with some major units planning to stay shut until June 6, according to industry sources and local media reports. The closures have triggered an exodus of thousands of migrant workers, many of whom are returning to their hometowns in Saurashtra and North Gujarat as operations wind down.