History of India Gems

 

Welcome to India Gems

India has a rich history of gemstones, dating back thousands of years. Many of the world's most famous and beautiful gemstones come from India, including the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the Hope diamond, and the Black Prince's Ruby.

The country is home to a wide variety of gems, including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and more. These gemstones can be found in different parts of the country, from the mines of Panna in Madhya Pradesh to the Kashmir valley in Jammu and Kashmir.

History of India Gems

The history of gemstones in India dates back to ancient times. The Indus Valley Civilization, which existed over 5000 years ago, traded in gemstones. The Vedas, the ancient Hindu texts, mention the use of gemstones for healing and spiritual purposes.

During the Mughal era, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th century, India became known for its gemstones and jewelry. The Mughal emperors were great patrons of the arts, and they commissioned many beautiful pieces of jewelry that featured gemstones.

Today, India is still a major player in the global gemstone industry, and the country's gemstones are prized for their beauty and quality.

List of Gems Found in India

• Diamonds
• Rubies
• Emeralds
• Sapphires
• Topaz
• Tourmaline
• Amethyst
• Aquamarine
• Garnet
• Citrine

India's Gemstone Trade Policies

India is one of the largest exporters of gemstones in the world, and the country has a well-developed gemstone industry. The government of India has put in place several policies to regulate the trade in gemstones and ensure that the industry is sustainable and ethical.

One of the key policies is the National Mineral Policy, which was last updated in 2019. The policy aims to promote sustainable mining practices and ensure that the benefits of mining are shared with local communities.

India is also a member of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which is an international initiative aimed at preventing the trade in conflict diamonds. The scheme requires that all rough diamonds be accompanied by a certificate of origin, and India has put in place strict regulations to ensure compliance with the scheme.

Export Statistics

According to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India, the country exported US$20.23 billion worth of gemstones and jewelry in the financial year 2020-21.

Diamonds accounted for the largest share of exports, followed by gold jewelry and colored gemstones. The United States was the largest market for Indian gemstone exports, followed by Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.