Where it comes from & why it’s distinctive

• Jaipur/Jodhpur, Rajasthan: sandstone jali screens with geometric/floral tessellations; a core vocabulary of Mughal-Rajasthani architecture and contemporary façades/interiors. NID (National Institute of Design) craft documentation details Jaipur stone carving processes and products, including jaali panels.
  
• Makrana (Nagaur, Rajasthan): source of India’s whitest monumental marble (used in the Taj Mahal), now a registered GI—“Makrana Marble.” It’s prized for very high CaCO₃ content (~98–99%+) and low water absorption, aiding weather resistance—ideal for fine marble jali.

Export picture

• India’s worked stone (HS 6802) exports in 2023: estimates cluster around ~US$1.2–1.3 billion (trade dashboards vary by sub-lines and revisions); OEC puts “Building Stone” exports at US$1.29b with India 3rd-largest exporter.
  
• DGCI&S’ commodity profile for ITCHS 6802 shows the category’s share in India’s export basket and is the official GoI reference buyers cite in paperwork.
  
• HS classification you’ll use on POs: 6802 (with sub-lines for marble 6802.21/.91, granite 6802.23/.93, sandstone often under 6802.99; many customs list hand-made, carved in the 6802 schema).
  

Buyer specs & quality benchmarks

Stone selection (by application)

• Makrana marble jali (indoor facades, screens, luxury interiors): benefit from high calcite purity (~98–99.9% CaCO₃) and low absorption—select close-grained blocks for fine open-work.
  
• Rajasthan sandstones (Jodhpur, etc.) for exterior screens: typical compressive strength in published studies ranges around 40–120 MPa; a Jodhpur sandstone study cites ~3,900 N/cm² (~390 kg/cm²) and ~1.25% water absorption—robust for façades with proper fixing. (Specify quarry & grade.)
  

Testing standards (specify in contracts)

• BIS tests for natural building stones:
  – IS 1121 (compressive strength), IS 1122 (water absorption), IS 1124 (porosity/density). Require supplier test reports for your production batch.
  

Fabrication tolerances & installation

• Panel thickness: commonly 20–40 mm for marble interior jali; 30–50 mm for sandstone exterior jali (tune to span & pattern).
  
• Tolerance: ±1–2 mm on thickness; ±1 mm on profile edges for high-end work.
  
• Anchoring: concealed SS clamps/frames with anti-vibration pads and drain paths; do not rigidly restrain all edges (thermal movement). (Industry best practice; align with your façade engineer’s details.)
  
• Finishes: honed, soft-polished (marble); shot-blasted/sand-blasted/antique (sandstone) for slip & glare control—NID’s Jaipur documentation illustrates typical outputs.
  

Packaging

• Edge-protected panels, foam interleaves, fumigated wooden crates with bottom bearers; moisture indicators for sea-freight.
  

Compliance & trade notes

• HS 6802 applies to worked stone articles (jali panels/screens). Ensure exact sub-heading (marble/sandstone “other, hand-made carved” where applicable) to avoid clearance delays.
  
• Import policy references for 6802 (India) list minimum CIF floor values for marble/alabaster imports; while export isn’t restricted, knowing the tariff notes helps with mirror-clearance queries.
  
• For EU projects, EUDR doesn’t apply to stone (non-forest product), but environmental due-diligence (quarry permits, waste management) is still a common client requirement. (See wood/EUDR above for mixed-material assemblies.)
  

Why India/Jaipur–Makrana–Jodhpur is strong

• Material edge: Makrana Marble (GI)—globally recognized heritage stone used on iconic monuments; Jodhpur sandstone proven durable in heritage architecture and contemporary façades.
  
• Craft edge: generations of hand-piercing/undercutting capability allow very fine jali with tight kerfs and clean arrises; NID documentation and Jaipur craft clusters keep the pattern library (geometry/floral/tessellation) alive for custom projects.
  

Quick buyer checklist

Quarry/source & grade (Makrana/Jodhpur, lot numbers); 2) Target thickness & minimum web width in the lattice; 3) Finish (honed/shot-blasted, etc.); 4) Tests: IS 1121/1122/1124 reports per lot; 5) Shop drawings & fixing details signed by your façade engineer; 6) SS grade for anchors (AISI 304/316); 7) Edge protection & crate specs; 8) Replacement panel % for breakage contingency.