The exports of cut and polished diamonds jumped by over 30% in value terms to $2.5 billion (approximately Rs 16,700 crore) for the month of September 2016 as against the same month last year. The growth in value of exports can be attributed to the persistently higher prices of diamonds and also to the evolving new market opportunities in western countries. However, in terms of quantity, the exports fell by over one lakh carats to 31.67 lakh carats as against 32.95 lakh carats last year.
For the cumulative period of the current fiscal, April-September, cut and polished diamond exports increased by nearly 11% to $11.7 billion (approximately Rs 78,000 crore) as against $10.5 billion (approximately Rs 68,000 crore) reported in the same period last year, according to data compiled by the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
For the six-month period India exported 154.55 lakh carats of rough diamonds, up 13% from 136 lakh carats in the same period last year. In value terms rough diamond exports crossed $730 million (approximately Rs 4,890 crore), 33% higher than the $547 million (approximately Rs 3,500 crore) for the same period last year.