Indian Jewelry » Surat Diamonds

Surat, which became a diamond processing centre as early as the seventeenth century, is today the main diamond city in India. It deserves some detailed coverage, as it continues to be the principal processing centre. In Surat, diamond processing work is concentrated in the Mahidharpura, Gopipura, Varachha Road, Brass Road, Saiyedpura and Sadsampura localities. It has spread to other areas and the neighbouring town of Navsari as well.

The, largest number of gem artisans in India earn their livelihood in Surat by cutting and polishing diamonds. Besides the locals, men and many women from Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagarh, Valsad and a large number of proximal villages converge at Surat for diamond work. The number fluctuates seasonally as well as with market conditions. Many of the diamantaires headquartered at Mumbai, have their own processing factories at Surat. Mixed quality of imported gemstone reaches Surat. Besides melees, some large stones are also taken on, but round or marquise are Surat's forte. Surat gets its rough mainly from Mumbai, but some enterprising manufacturers have also started purchasing rough directly from Antwerp.

Although Ahmedabad is an export point, yet the bulk of processed diamonds from Surat and neighbourhood are traded at Mumbai.