Indian Jewelry » Jaipur Gems Jewelry

After marking time for a while, enterprising Indian gems men hit upon the idea of exporting cut and polished gemstones and some traditional jewellery. Jaipur had already started exporting colored gemstones, after excelling in processing emeralds. Precious entrepreneurs at Mumbai (then Bombay) picked up diamonds with the support of the international cartel, De Beers. For exploring foreign markets and establishing trading contacts with counterparts across the seven seas, some pioneers from Jaipur and Mumbai ventured abroad. At the same time they organized the precious sector at home in such a way that it could fulfil expected foreign demand.

Exports Begin:
Cut and polished diamonds, colored gemstones and processed pearls started trickling out to some overseas destinations in the early sixties. The progress was rather slow initially. It was then that the Government of India realized the export potential of this sector and an officially sponsored apex body, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) was launched in mid-sixties to guide and help the gems and jewellery sector. Thereafter the gems sector gathered momentum in exports as well as inland proliferation.

Meanwhile the Government of India banned the import of polished diamonds, which were being sold in the country. Since rough diamonds continued to flow in, the gems sector stepped up cutting and polishing. This initiative ultimately proved helpful for exports as well.