Snapshot

• Why Surat is iconic:
  Surat is the diamond capital of the world, handling over 90% of the world’s natural diamond cutting and polishing by volume and ~80% of polished diamond exports by value.
  With a history dating back to the Mughal era, Surat evolved into a high-tech cluster with state-of-the-art polishing factories, laser cutting, and automated grading systems.
  
• Global Positioning:
  The city is home to world-class diamond processing units, grading labs, and trading centers, supplying major global markets in the US, Europe, UAE, Hong Kong, and China.
  It’s backed by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and powered by the new Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), the world’s largest office building for diamond trade.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Polished Diamonds	Round brilliants, fancy shapes, certified diamonds (0.01 ct to >5 ct)
Loose Stones	Natural, HPHT, and CVD lab-grown diamonds
Diamond Jewelry Settings	Calibrated stones for rings, pendants, watches
Fancy-Colored Diamonds	Natural fancy yellow, pink, blue diamonds
Custom Cuts	Princess, marquise, pear, cushion, radiant
Industrial Diamonds	Processed stones for industrial and cutting tools

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
World Leader	Processes ~1.5 million polished diamonds daily; contributes ~$24B to India’s exports
Advanced Technology	Laser sawing, Sarin mapping, Galaxy scanning, AI-based grading
Global Certifications	Houses GIA, IGI, HRD labs for certification
Skilled Workforce	Over 800,000 artisans & technicians
Diamond Bourse	Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB): 7M sq ft trading hub, 4,700 offices, eco-certified

Materials & Sustainability

• Sources: Rough diamonds imported primarily from Russia, Botswana, Canada, South Africa, auctioned through Mumbai and Antwerp.
  
• Innovation:
  
  • Robotic polishing machines
    
  • AI grading and blockchain traceability systems
    
  • Digital twins for every polished diamond
    
• Sustainability:
  
  • Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) certification adoption
    
  • Push for conflict-free sourcing (Kimberley Process)
    
  • Solar-powered polishing units and water recycling initiatives
    

Cluster Infrastructure

• Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB): The world’s largest diamond exchange, consolidating trading and certification services in a single LEED Platinum-certified facility.
  
• Diamond Industrial Parks: Varachha, Katargam, Ichhapore SEZ, Sachin GIDC, and new clusters around SDB.
  
• Institutions:
  
  • GJEPC: Export promotion, trade fairs, policy advocacy
    
  • GIA, IGI, HRD Labs: Certification & grading
    
  • Indian Diamond Institute (IDI): Training and skill development
    
• Connectivity: Surat International Airport, Surat-Bombay Diamond trading link, sea cargo via Nhava Sheva
  

Compliance & Certifications

Certification	Details
RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council)	Widely adopted for supply chain transparency
Kimberley Process	Ensures conflict-free diamond sourcing
ISO 9001/14001	Quality and environmental certifications
GIA, IGI, HRD	Third-party grading and authenticity certification
SEZ Benefits	Surat’s Ichhapore SEZ incentivizes exports

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Small Stones (0.01–0.10 ct)	2–3 days	1–2 weeks	1,000+ stones
Mid-Size Diamonds (0.25–1 ct)	3–5 days	2–3 weeks	50+ stones
Large Diamonds (>1 ct)	5–7 days	3–4 weeks	Custom
Lab-Grown Diamonds	5 days	2–3 weeks	Negotiable based on size

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: Laser inscription of serial numbers, blockchain traceability, certification cards
  
• Packaging: Tamper-proof diamond parcels, security-sealed cases, GIA/IGI-certified envelopes
  
• Marketing Narrative:
  “Surat: The global diamond capital, where heritage craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology to deliver precision-cut, conflict-free diamonds for the world.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Pre-Processing QC: Sarin mapping, Galaxy scanning, inclusion plotting
  
• Cutting QC: Symmetry, facet alignment, polish quality
  
• Grading QC: 4Cs verification (cut, color, clarity, carat) by third-party labs
  
• Export QC: Tamper-proof sealing, RFID-enabled tracking
  

Price Drivers

• Rough diamond sourcing (auction price volatility)
  
• Size, clarity, and color grade
  
• Machine vs. hand-finished polishing
  
• Certification cost (GIA/IGI premium for stones over 1 ct)
  
• Lab-grown vs natural diamond trends
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Global Hub: Processes 9/10 diamonds sold worldwide
  
• Tech Leadership: Robotics, AI grading, blockchain-tracked provenance
  
• Sustainability Focus: RJC, Kimberley compliance, eco-certified facilities
  
• SDB Advantage: Centralized trade, logistics, and certification hub
  
• Skilled Workforce: Centuries of diamond-cutting expertise with modern precision