Gems and Jewellery Industry in India

As of 2022, India ranks first among the top exporters in cut & polished diamonds, and second in gold jewellery, silver jewellery, and lab-grown diamonds.

Advantage India

Growing
Demand

* In FY24, India’s gems and jewellery exports reached US$ 32.02 billion, while in April 2024 gems and jewellery stood at US$ 2.07 billion.

* In 2022, India ranks first among the top exporters in cut & polished diamonds, and second in gold jewellery, silver jewellery and lab-grown diamonds.

Increasing
Investments

* In September 2023, Malbar Group invested Rs. 1,000 crore (US$ 120 million) by 2025.

* Cumulative FDI inflows in diamond and gold ornaments in India stood at US$ 1,276.52 million between April 2000-March 2024.

Policy
support

* The Government has permitted 100% FDI under the automatic route** in this sector.

* The sector now has AEO status from the finance ministry, easing export-import processes with quicker cargo release, 50% lower bank guarantees.

Attractive
Opportunities

*It is expected to break out of this range and rise to between 800 and 900 tons in 2024.

*Total FDI Equity inflows in Indian G&J Sector grew by around 15% to US$ 25.50 million during 2022-2023 in comparison to last year.

Snapshot Showcase Infographics Reports

Last updated: Jul, 2024

Gems and Jewellery Industry Report

Mar, 2024

Introduction

As of January 2022, India’s gold and diamond trade contributed ~7% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The gems and jewellery sector has employs ~5 million. Based on its potential for growth and value addition, the Government declared the gems and jewellery sector as a focus area for export promotion.

The Government has undertaken various measures recently to promote investment and upgrade technology and skills to promote ‘Brand India’ in the international market. The Government has permitted 100% FDI in the sector under the automatic route, wherein the foreign investor or the Indian company do not require any prior approval from the Reserve Bank or the Government of India. The Indian Government also signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March 2022, this will allow the Indian Gems and Jewellery industry to further boost exports. CEPA will provide the industry with duty-free access to the UAE market. India’s Gems Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) aims to triple its exports to the UAE post the CEPA.

Market Size

India’s gems and jewellery market size was at US$ 78.50 billion in FY21. Growth in exports is mainly due to revived import demand in the export market of the US and the fulfilment of orders received by numerous Indian exhibitors during the Virtual Buyer-Seller Meets (VBSMs) conducted by GJEPC.

In FY24, India's gems and jewellery exports were at US$ 22.27 billion, a 14.94% decline compared to the previous year's period. Exports of gems & jewellery at stood at US$ 2074.85 million in April 2024.

Investments/Developments

Cumulative FDI inflows in diamond and gold ornaments in India stood at US$ 1,276.52 million between April 2000-March 2024, according to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Some of the key developments in this industry are listed below:

In January 2024, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated the commencement of the Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC at the SEEPZ SEZ in Mumbai in virtual mode (remotely). Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC is a Socio-economic project promoted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GJEPC India and SEEPZ SEZ authority to drive exports from the country. This project aims at creating a world-class infrastructure for promoting the inherent skills of the gems & jewellery manufacturing industry. The Mega Common Facilitation Centre provides a supportive and collaborative environment for entrepreneurs, MSMEs and small businesses to grow and thrive.
In September 2023, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has achieved a significant milestone by facilitating India’s first jewellery exports through courier mode from Mumbai. This development represents a significant leap forward in simplifying international trade.
In April 2023, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) commences the first-ever Lab-grown Diamond Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) in Surat. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Virendra Singh, ITS, Development Commissioner & Additional DGFT; Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Vijay Mangukiya, Regional Chairman, Gujarat; Mr. Smit Patel, Convener, Lab-grown diamonds committee, GJEPC; Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC along with others.
In February 2022, GJPEC organized a four-day Internal Jewellery Show Signature 2022, where 850 exhibitors participated and there were more than 400 international visitors, buyers, and delegations from the US, UAE, Egypt, Nepal, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh.
In September 2021, Malabar Group invested Rs. 750 crore (US$ 100 million) in a gold refinery and jewellery unit in Hyderabad.
In May 2021, GJEPC and the Embassy of India, Morocco, co-hosted the ‘India Global Connect’ to better understand the present business climate in the gems and jewellery sector and seek trade prospects for manufacturers, exporters, and importers from both countries.
The GJEPC will organise its first International Gems and Jewellery Show (IGJS) outside the country, in Dubai, from August 14-16, 2021. It will also hold a five-day physical exhibition—India International Jewellery Show (IIJS-2021)—in Bengaluru from September 15-19, 2021, in the first such event outside Mumbai. GJPEC sources said that >250 buyers have registered and >95 stalls have been booked for Dubai IGJS 2021. There will be 150 booths having products such as plain gold, gold-studded jewellery, diamond-studded jewellery, silver jewellery, loose diamonds, and gemstones.
In June 2021, Tanishq launched antimicrobial jewellery in certain markets as a pilot project. Currently, the range is available in stores across Chennai and Lucknow, with further launches planned in Kolkata and Hyderabad followed by other key markets. Antimicrobial jewellery is being offered in categories such as chains and rings, which feature special-coated layers that self-disinfect the surface and impede any further microbial growth.
In June 2021, the World Gold Council and Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council signed an agreement to promote gold jewellery in India. Under the agreement terms, both partners will jointly fund a multi-media marketing campaign that would aim to increase awareness, relevance, and adoption of gold jewellery amongst Indian consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z.
In April 2021, Malabar Gold & Diamonds announced to invest Rs. 1,600 crore (US$ 214 million) in FY22 to launch 56 stores, of which 40 would be in India and 16 across global markets. In India, stores will be opened in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala. In July 2021, the company announced the hiring of >5,000 staff, across its retail operations, brand headquarters and regional offices in the country.
In March 2021, Joyalukkas collaborated with IBM Global Business Services to design, develop and deploy a new cloud-native e-commerce platform across 11 countries including India, the UAE, the US, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman.
In February 2021, Reliance expanded its e-commerce arm, JioMart, to jewellery with silver coins of 5gm and 10 gm, and gold coins of 1gm, 5gm and 10gm.
- Reliance's in-house jewellery brand, Reliance Jewels, which has ~93 flagship showrooms and 110 shop-in-shops in 105 cities in the country, will fulfil the orders for the new segment.

Government Initiatives

The sector now has AEO status from the finance ministry, easing export-import processes with quicker cargo release, 50% lower bank guarantees.
The Indian government accepted the recommendation of GJEPC to promote indigenous manufacturing in the emerging Lab-grown diamond sector by providing research grants to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) for five years.
India has signed an FTA with the UAE which will further boost exports and is expected to reach the target of US$ 52 billion.
The Government has reduced custom duty on cut and polished diamond and colored gemstones from 7.5% to 5% and NIL.
Revised SEZ Act is also expected to boost gems and jewellery exports.
In September 2021, Ms. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Commerce, and Industry said that reforms such as the revamped gold monetisation scheme, reduction in import duty of gold, hallmarking and others would help the industry grow. The market export target is US$ 43.75 billion for 2021.
The government has reduced import duty for Gold & Silver (from 12.5% to 7.5%) and Platinum & Pallidum (from 12.5% to 10%) to bring down the prices of precious metals in the local market.
Indian Government made hallmarking mandatory for Gold Jewellery and Artefacts. A period of one year is provided for implementation i.e., till January 2021.
- In December 2020, All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) welcomed the decision to make hallmarking compulsory from June 2021 in a phased manner; urged the government to examine the key concerns of the industry for smooth implementation of the initiative.
- Hallmarking of gold jewellery is set to begin on June 15, 2021. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government accepted the request of stakeholders to provide jewellers some more time to prepare for implementation and resolve issues. Earlier, the date of implementation was June 01, 2021.
In December 2020, the Finance Ministry notified that the amendment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), notifying dealers in precious metals and stones, will maintain records of cash transactions worth Rs. 10 lakh (US$ 13.61 thousand) or more cumulatively with a single customer.

Road Ahead

In the coming years, growth in the gems and jewellery sector would largely be contributed by the development of large retailers/brands. Established brands are guiding the organised market and are opening opportunities to grow. Increasing penetration of organised players provides variety in terms of products and designs. Also, the relaxation of restrictions on gold import is likely to provide a fillip to the industry.

The improvement in availability along with the reintroduction of low-cost gold metal loans and likely stabilisation of gold prices at lower levels is also expected to drive volume growth for jewellers over the short to medium term. India has 450 organised jewellery manufacturers, importers & exporters and is the hub for jewellery manufacturing. These players have benefited greatly due to the increasing liberal policies by the government. The demand for jewellery is expected to be significantly supported by the recent positive developments in the industry. India’s gems and jewellery industry is expected to reach US$ 100 billion by 2027.