Gems & Jewellery in Global Trade: Everything You Need To Know
Gemstones are basically rocks, minerals, and organic matter that are aesthetically pleasing. This is why they are cut in different shapes and polished to make jewellery and human adornments. Turning gems into jewellery involves mining, cutting, polishing, and several other crucial procedures. Aside from world-famous diamonds, other colored jewellery like rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and others also come under the category of gems. Jewellery includes decorative items that are flaunted by wearing them on different parts of the body. Some of them are earrings, rings, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces. Did you know that Painite was once called the rarest mineral on earth because there were only 2 crystals found till the 1950s? These rare and expensive gems & jewellery have become more like an asset of assessment than just a fashion statement. No wonder it is so widely imported in different countries of the world, with Hong Kong, the UAE, the USA, Switzerland, and China being the most active ones amongst them.
What Are the Commonly Traded Types of Gems & Jewellery in Global Markets?
Some of the most common types of gemstones are as follows:
| Gems Category | Gems Type Name | Key Factors |
Precious Stones | Diamond | Hardest natural material, brilliance & fire |
| Ruby | Known for deep red color, symbolizes passion and power |
| Sapphire | Usually blue, associated with wisdom & royalty |
| Emerald | Rich green color, symbol of rebirth |
Semi-Precious Stones | Amethyst | Purple quartz, believed to promote calmness |
| Citrine | Yellow to orange quartz, associated with prosperity & energy |
| Garnet | Comes in many colors, symbol of friendship & trust |
| Peridot | Olive-green gem, formed deep in the Earth |
| Topaz | Wide color range, symbol of strength & protection |
Organic Gems | Pearl | Produced by oysters/mollusks, symbol of purity & elegance |
| Amber | Fossilized tree resin, can contain ancient insects |
| Coral | Marine origin, red/pink hues |
Rare/Exotic Gems | Alexandrite | Color-changing (green in daylight, red in incandescent light) |
| Tanzanite | Found only in Tanzania, deep violet-blue |
| Spinel | Often mistaken for ruby, comes in vivid colors |
| Paraiba Tourmaline | Neon blue-green, extremely rare & valuable |
Phenomenal Gems | Opal | Displays “play-of-color,” unique rainbow-like flashes |
| Moonstone | Soft glow, associated with moon energy & intuition |
| Star Sapphire | Displays a star-like pattern under light |
| Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl | Distinct “cat’s eye” light reflection |
Collector’s Gems | Painite | Once the rarest gem in the world, reddish-brown color |
| Benitoite | Rare blue gem, brilliant sparkle |
| Taaffeite | Accidentally discovered while mistaken for spinel, rare lavender hues |
| Musgravite | Grayish-green to violet tones, extremely valuable |
The types of jewellery are based on different factors; some of the most sought-after in the global trade industry are as follows:
| Jewellery Category | Jewellery Type Name | Key Characteristics |
| By Material | Gold Jewellery | Durable, often used for investment |
| Silver Jewellery | Elegant shine, popular for daily wear |
| Pearl Jewellery | Made from natural or cultured pearls, symbolizes purity and grace |
| Gemstone Jewellery | Features precious and semi-precious stones, valued for color, rarity, and symbolism |
| Crystal Jewellery | Sparkling, often used in fashion accessories |
| Bead Jewellery | Made from glass, clay, wood, or metal beads |
| By Style & Occasion | Fashion Jewellery | Trend-driven, affordable, made with non-precious materials |
| Statement Jewellery | Bold, eye-catching pieces |
| Bridal Jewellery | Often gold/diamond-based, designed for weddings and special ceremonies |
| Personalised Jewellery | Custom-made with initials, names, birthstones |
| Contemporary Jewellery | Modern designs, minimalist or experimental |
| Handcrafted Jewellery | Made by artisans, unique designs |
Now that you have all the information about the various types of gems and jewellery, you can expand your exporting business based on buyers’ demand. A few products gems buyers and jewellery buyers usually have requirements for are:
- Different gemstone types: Aquamarine Gemstones, Beryl Gemstones, Citrine Gemstones, Iolite Gemstones, Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone, Jade Gemstones, Onyx Gemstones, Spinel Gemstones, Tanzanite Gemstones, Alexandrite Gemstone, Topaz Gemstones, Tourmaline Gemstones, and others
- Varieties of jewellery: Artificial Jewellery, Rings, Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Bangles, and other Jewellery Items
- Jewellery Making Machine & Equipments and storage items: Rolling Mills, Jewellery Boxes, Jewellery Bags, Casting Machines
A Look into Global Gems & Jewellery Market Trends: Key Insights for Export Import
Accurate data plays a vital role when you’re exporting gems and jewellery. It ensures compliance with international trade regulations and helps you find a strong strategy for growing your exploring business. You become more confident while approaching any gems & jewellery importers (metal jewellery buyers, precious stone jewellery buyers, and others). The essential data required for smooth export are mentioned below:
Global Market Size
| Metric | Value |
| Market Size (2024) | $217.58 billion |
| Expected Market Size (2033) | $260.44 billion |
| CAGR | 2.00% |
Source: Business Research Insights
Top Importing Countries for Gems & Jewellery (2024):
| Product Name | Country Name | Total shipments | Source |
Gems | India | 69,024 | |
| US | 7,159 |
| Hong Kong | 797 |
Jewellery | India | 251,371 | |
| US | 84,152 |
| UAE | 73,003 |
Industry Transformations Fueling the Demand for Gems & Jewellery:
| Industries | Recent Changes | What It Means for the Exporters |
| Diamond mining | The average prices for diamonds dropped by 26% to $1,008 per carat at Letseng (Lesotho’s biggest diamond mine) | Exporters can leverage lower prices for natural diamonds to offer competitive pricing. You can also diversify your exporting business into lab-grown diamonds and alternative gemstones to adapt to the global market shift. |
| Luxury & Fashion | Digital transformation and customization are reshaping consumer demand. Customization now accounts for 20% of purchases, and consumers are buying around 60% of their jewellery online. | You can consider investing in digital platforms and virtual showrooms, offering AI/AR-based try-on experiences, and expanding customizable jewellery. |
| Gold Jewellery & Colored Gemstones | Plain and studded gold saw a huge rise of 17% in terms of export and reached $11.14 billion in the last 2 years, and the UAE had a huge contribution to that. Parallely, the exports of colored gemstones also rose by 14% to reach $478 million in 2023-24. | To sustain this growth, you can connect with jewellery importers & gems importers in the UAE, and expand your exporting business to colored gemstones, focus on innovation, and quality certification. |
What the Global Gems & Jewellery Buyers Demand from the Suppliers:
In the global trade market, you will need to work as per the requirements of buyers. Here are a few things gemstone jewellery buyers or simply jewellery buyers need from suppliers:
- Natural & bright color
- No air bubbles
- Scratch-resistance
- Should split light internally
- Temperature should be stable
- Hallmark stamp (for gold, silver, and platinum)
- Should feel solid in the hand
How to Find Verified Gems & Jewellery Buyers Near Me or Globally?
When you enter the global trade market, you have a lot of ways through which you can find multiple verified buyers of any type of gems or jewellery. A few of the most effective ways are as follows:
- Arrange a meeting with your local jewellery shops and online retailers for selling your gems and jewellery locally.
- Collaborate with the trade promotion councils of your country, so that you can find buyers locally as well as internationally.
- Sign up on B2B platforms, such as go4WorldBusiness, where you can meet a lot of gems buyers or jewellery buyers with just a single click.
- Become an active member of trade fairs, such as JCK Las Vegas, Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong, International Jewellery Tokyo, and others.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What are precious gemstones?
Precious gemstone is a category of exceptionally beautiful, rare, and valuable stones, such as sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds.
2. What documents are required to export gems and jewellery?
A few documents, like an insurance certificate, certificate of origin, hallmark certificate, gemological certificate, and others, are required while exporting gems & jewellery.
3. What is the gems and jewellery HSN code?
7103 is the HSN code for gems, and for jewellery made of precious metals, it is 7113. At the same time, imitation jewellery falls under the HSN code of 7117.
4. Which markets are most profitable for gem and jewellery exports?
The US, UAE, and Hong Kong are some of the most profitable markets for exporting gems and jewellery.
5. How do I find verified buyers of gems & jewellery overseas?
To find verified buyers of gems and jewellery internationally, you can sign up on B2B platforms like go4WorldBusiness, attend trade fairs like JCK Las Vegas, Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, etc. You can also start being active on LinkedIn and connect with potential buyers.
6. How do I assure buyers of gemstone authenticity and quality?
One way to assure any buyers of the authenticity and quality of your gemstone is by providing them with all the necessary documents and certificates, such as the International Gemological Institute certificate, certificate of origin, and professional appraisal reports.
7. Are there restrictions on exporting raw gemstones vs finished jewellery?
Yes, many countries have stricter rules for importing raw gemstones, and they require some specific certifications, such as the Kimberley Process Certificate. At the same time, for finished jewellery, the rules are not that strict. However, the buyers need you to provide a hallmark certification and several other documents. Remember that a few countries also restrict the export of some raw and finished jewellery.
8. Which countries are the major importers of gems and jewellery?
For gems, the major importers are India, the US, and Hong Kong. While for jewellery, India, the US, and the UAE are the major importers.
9. How are gemstone prices determined?
Pieces for gemstones are based on cut, clarity, color, carat weight, rarity, and origin, along with market demand in the country you’re selling it to.
Latest News Related to Gems & Jewellery Trade:
The US-imposed 50% tariffs on India are threatening the industry of gems, among several others. India's gems industry might see a loss of $58.5 billion, a 1% GDP reduction, and mass job loss. (Full story: The Guardian)
