India’s gem and jewellery exports continued to show positive momentum in August 2026, with gross exports increasing by 3.14% in US dollar terms and 12.52% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$2.30 billion (₹21,945.87 crore). In August 2025, gross exports stood at US$2.23 billion (₹19,503.52 crore).
The month witnessed strong growth in value-added jewellery exports, particularly studded gold jewellery. While cut and polished diamond exports remained under pressure in value terms, export volumes increased by 3.23%, rising from 12.94 lakh carats in August 2025 to 13.36 lakh carats in August 2026.
At the same time, studded gold jewellery exports increased by 51.22% in US dollar terms to US$642.85 million, reflecting stronger international demand for finished and value-added jewellery products.
The shift towards value addition is significant for India’s gem and jewellery industry, as more diamonds are incorporated into finished jewellery within the country. This supports greater value creation across the manufacturing chain while contributing to employment and wider economic activity.
Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said “August’s export performance reflects the resilience and adaptability of India’s gem and jewellery industry. The increase in diamond export volumes, along with the sharp growth in studded gold jewellery exports, highlights India’s growing ability to create greater value by transforming precious materials into finished jewellery.
This marks an important step in India’s evolution from a major processing centre to a global hub for design, manufacturing and value addition. With continued policy support, innovation and access to international markets, India is well positioned to capture a larger share of value across the global jewellery supply chain.”
Gold Jewellery Exports Show Mixed Performance
Exports of gold jewellery, including plain and studded categories, increased by 11.81% in US dollar terms and 21.96% in rupee terms year-on-year to US$999.83 million (₹9,546.12 crore). Growth was driven by demand from the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and France.
However, plain gold jewellery exports declined by 23.90% in US dollar terms and 17.00% in rupee terms to US$356.97 million (₹3,408.32 crore). The decline was attributed to elevated gold prices and limited availability of duty-free gold for exporters, which increased input costs and affected the competitiveness of plain gold jewellery exports.
Gold prices rose by 8.27% month-on-month, increasing from US$4,073.92 per troy ounce in July 2026 to US$4,410.89 per troy ounce in August 2026.
Studded gold jewellery exports, meanwhile, surged by 51.22% in US dollar terms and 64.96% in rupee terms to US$642.85 million (₹6,137.81 crore). The growth was supported by demand from the USA, UAE, Hong Kong, the UK and France.
August 2026: Product-Wise Export Performance
- Gold Jewellery, Plain and Studded: Exports rose 11.81% in US dollar terms and 21.96% in rupee terms to US$999.83 million (₹9,546.12 crore).
- Plain Gold Jewellery: Exports declined 23.90% in US dollar terms and 17.00% in rupee terms to US$356.97 million (₹3,408.32 crore).
- Studded Gold Jewellery: Exports increased 51.22% in US dollar terms and 64.96% in rupee terms to US$642.85 million (₹6,137.81 crore).
- Cut and Polished Diamonds: Exports declined 4.93% in US dollar terms but grew 3.74% in rupee terms to US$924.51 million (₹8,828.65 crore).
- Cut and Polished Diamonds, Volume: Exports increased 3.23%, from 12.94 lakh carats to 13.36 lakh carats.
- Silver Jewellery: Exports declined 39.66% in US dollar terms and 34.20% in rupee terms to US$86.68 million (₹827.20 crore).
- Platinum Jewellery: Exports grew 29.09% in US dollar terms and 40.90% in rupee terms to US$22.50 million (₹214.94 crore).
- Polished Lab-Grown Diamonds: Exports increased 28.45% in US dollar terms and 40.19% in rupee terms to US$125.17 million (₹1,195.18 crore).
- Coloured Gemstones: Exports grew 34.40% in US dollar terms and 46.64% in rupee terms to US$49.07 million (₹468.78 crore).
April–August 2026: Cumulative Export Performance
During April–August 2026, India’s overall gross gem and jewellery exports reached US$11.47 billion (₹1,09,023.88 crore), representing growth of 2.58% in US dollar terms and 13.36% in rupee terms compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.
Product-wise performance during the period included:
- Gold Jewellery, Plain and Studded: Exports grew 7.00% in US dollar terms and 18.33% in rupee terms to US$5.03 billion (₹47,853.03 crore).
- Plain Gold Jewellery: Exports declined 11.44% in US dollar terms and 2.04% in rupee terms to US$2.15 billion (₹20,489.39 crore).
- Studded Gold Jewellery: Exports increased 26.73% in US dollar terms and 40.16% in rupee terms to US$2.88 billion (₹27,363.63 crore).
- Cut and Polished Diamonds: Exports declined 7.38% in US dollar terms but grew 2.35% in rupee terms to US$4.52 billion (₹43,000.37 crore).
- Silver Jewellery: Exports rose 35.57% in US dollar terms and 48.57% in rupee terms to US$594.86 million (₹5,623.89 crore).
- Platinum Jewellery: Exports increased 19.67% in US dollar terms and 32.08% in rupee terms to US$100.32 million (₹953.36 crore).
- Polished Lab-Grown Diamonds: Exports grew 11.76% in US dollar terms and 23.49% in rupee terms to US$533.67 million (₹5,076.61 crore).
- Coloured Gemstones: Exports declined 1.92% in US dollar terms but increased 8.45% in rupee terms to US$152.61 million (₹1,451.49 crore).
The August export figures point to the growing importance of value addition in India’s gem and jewellery sector, with studded gold jewellery and other finished categories supporting export performance amid elevated precious metal prices and continued global economic uncertainty.
