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Jewellery

Export lab-grown diamonds

CVD and HPHT diamonds grown and polished in Surat; Hong Kong, the USA and the UAE buy most.

Free to exportHS 7104.91
HS code
7104.91
Synthetic (laboratory-grown) diamonds, worked — cut and polished (HS 7104 91). Unworked lab-grown diamonds are 7104 21; other synthetic stones are 7104 99.
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2. The Kimberley Process does not apply, but stones must be declared as laboratory-grown under HS 7104, never 7102. Confirm the line on DGFT.
Registrations
3
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 1.17 bn
to 70 countries

What is exported

Surat grows CVD diamonds and polishes both CVD and imported HPHT rough for jewellery brands and dealers. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 1.15 billion of polished lab-grown diamonds (HS 7104 91); Hong Kong, the USA and the UAE were the largest buyers (Commerce Department data).

Varieties, grades and forms

  • CVD diamondsGrown by chemical vapour deposition; most Indian growers use this method.
  • HPHT diamondsGrown under high pressure and high temperature; many rough HPHT stones are imported and polished in India.
  • Polished lab-grown diamonds (HS 7104 91)Certified solitaires and melee for jewellery — the main export.
  • Rough lab-grown diamondsAs-grown CVD blocks sold to cutters.
  • Industrial synthetic diamondsFor cutting tools, heat spreaders and optics (7104 21 10, 7104 91 10).

Where it is grown or made

  • GujaratSurat — CVD growing units and polishing
  • MaharashtraMumbai — trading and certification (Bharat Diamond Bourse)

Export packing

  • Packed like natural diamonds — diamond papers in sealed parcels — but every paper, parcel and invoice must say "laboratory-grown".
  • Larger stones carry a grading report that names the stone as lab-grown and often a laser inscription on the girdle.
  • Never mix lab-grown and natural parcels in one shipment without clear separation and labelling.

Who buys abroad

  • US jewellery retailers and bridal-jewellery brands
  • Diamond dealers in Hong Kong, Dubai and New York
  • Online jewellery brands
  • Industrial tool makers (industrial grades)

The quality buyers ask for

4Cs
Graded on carat, colour, clarity and cut like natural diamonds, on a report that names the stone as laboratory-grown
Growth method
CVD or HPHT; post-growth treatment (colour improvement) must be disclosed
Inscription
Laser inscription on the girdle ("LG" or "Lab-Grown" and the report number) for certified stones
Disclosure terms
US FTC: "laboratory-grown", "laboratory-created" or "[manufacturer]-created"; never "natural" or unqualified "diamond" alone

Certificates

  • Grading report naming the stone as lab-grownOften askedExpected for stones above about 0.3 carat; GIA, IGI and other labs issue lab-grown reports.
  • Disclosure on invoice and packingRequiredEvery invoice, parcel paper and tag must say "laboratory-grown" — required by buyer-country rules such as the US FTC Guides.
  • GJEPC RCMCRequiredNeeded for export benefits and GJEPC fair pavilions.
  • Sustainability claims evidenceOften askedIf you claim "carbon-neutral" or "renewable energy", the buyer and regulators expect proof.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Sealed parcels; no containers.

How it travels

Air, as valuable cargo, from Mumbai (Bharat Diamond Bourse, SEEPZ) or Surat.

Storage

Vaults; keep lab-grown and natural stock physically separate.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • "Laboratory-grown diamond" on invoice, parcel papers and every jewellery tag.
  • HS 7104 (not 7102) on the shipping bill and invoice.
  • Report number and inscription details for certified stones.
Where to get it tested

International labs such as GIA, IGI and HRD issue lab-grown diamond reports from Mumbai and Surat. GJEPC runs gem-testing laboratories. Ask the buyer which report they accept before you send stones.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council)RCMC for lab-grown diamonds.gjepc.org ↗

Quality and checks

  • Every invoice, parcel and tag must say "laboratory-grown"; the US FTC Guides treat any other description as deceptive.
  • Grading reports for larger stones; laser inscription is common.
  • Post-growth colour treatment must be disclosed.
How to start small

Start by trading or polishing rather than growing, which needs heavy investment. Join GJEPC, buy certified rough, get grading reports for larger stones and sell to US jewellers and online brands who want consistent supply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Declaring lab-grown stones under 7102 — a customs misdeclaration.
  • Holding stock while prices keep falling.
  • Mixing natural and lab-grown parcels.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7104 91 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  4. GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council) — official site
  5. eCFR — 16 CFR Part 23, FTC Guides for the jewelry, precious metals and pewter industries

Trade data

Indian lab-grown diamonds exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 1.17 bn
-12.8% a year on average, 2022-23 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -8.6%
US$ 1.28 bn → US$ 1.17 bn
Buyer countries
70
Average export price
US$ 76.02
per kg · 15,428 tonnes shipped · US$ 112.34 the year before
Hong Kong: US$ 413 mnUnited States of America: US$ 311 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 133 mnIsrael: US$ 39.5 mnThailand: US$ 35.6 mnBelgium: US$ 32.9 mnSouth Korea: US$ 29.7 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 27.7 mnChina: US$ 22.4 mnCanada: US$ 21.2 mnAustralia: US$ 18.7 mnNetherlands: US$ 16.5 mnMexico: US$ 15.8 mnSingapore: US$ 9.7 mnJapan: US$ 8.5 mnGermany: US$ 5.8 mnBahrain: US$ 3.8 mnSouth Africa: US$ 3 mnTürkiye: US$ 2.5 mnVietnam: US$ 2 mnItaly: US$ 1.9 mnBrazil: US$ 1.1 mnSwitzerland: US$ 1.1 mnHong Kong: US$ 413 mnHong KongUnited States of America: US$ 311 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 133 mnUnited Arab EmiratesIsrael: US$ 39.5 mnIsraelThailand: US$ 35.6 mnThailandBelgium: US$ 32.9 mnBelgiumSouth Korea: US$ 29.7 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 27.7 mnChina: US$ 22.4 mnCanada: US$ 21.2 mnAustralia: US$ 18.7 mnNetherlands: US$ 16.5 mnMexico: US$ 15.8 mnSingapore: US$ 9.7 mnJapan: US$ 8.5 mnGermany: US$ 5.8 mnBahrain: US$ 3.8 mnSouth Africa: US$ 3 mnTürkiye: US$ 2.5 mnVietnam: US$ 2 mnItaly: US$ 1.9 mnBrazil: US$ 1.1 mnSwitzerland: US$ 1.1 mnIndia
Where Indian lab-grown diamonds goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
n/a2020-21n/a2021-222022-23: US$ 1.77 bn1.8k2022-232023-24: US$ 1.44 bn1.4k2023-242024-25: US$ 1.28 bn1.3k2024-252025-26: US$ 1.17 bn1.2k2025-26
India’s lab-grown diamonds exports, year by year · US$ million · year not shown

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2025-26 — a 377% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2022-23: US$ 362.78 per kg362.782024-25: US$ 112.34 per kg2025-26: US$ 76.02 per kg76.022020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian lab-grown diamonds · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-212021-222022-23: US$ 1.77 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 1.44 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 1.28 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 1.17 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 999 mn (US$ 936 mn – US$ 1.07 bn)9992026-272027-28: US$ 873 mn (US$ 807 mn – US$ 946 mn)8732027-28
India’s lab-grown diamonds exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 873 mn

Likely range US$ 807 mn to US$ 946 mn.

Trend
-12.6% a year
Fit (R²)
0.96
Based on
4 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1Hong KongUS$ 413 mn+99.1%
2United States of AmericaUS$ 311 mn-56.1%
3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 133 mn-19.2%
4IsraelUS$ 39.5 mn+36.3%
5ThailandUS$ 35.6 mn+84.1%
6BelgiumUS$ 32.9 mn+83.3%
7South KoreaUS$ 29.7 mn+12.8%
8United KingdomUS$ 27.7 mn+8%
9ChinaUS$ 22.4 mn+93.5%
10CanadaUS$ 21.2 mn+188.2%
11AustraliaUS$ 18.7 mn+6.7%
12NetherlandsUS$ 16.5 mn+122.1%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. MexicoUS$ 410k → US$ 15.8 mn+3,753.7%
  2. CanadaUS$ 7.4 mn → US$ 21.2 mn+188.2%
  3. NetherlandsUS$ 7.4 mn → US$ 16.5 mn+122.1%
  4. Hong KongUS$ 207 mn → US$ 413 mn+99.1%
  5. ChinaUS$ 11.6 mn → US$ 22.4 mn+93.5%
  6. ThailandUS$ 19.4 mn → US$ 35.6 mn+84.1%
  7. BelgiumUS$ 18 mn → US$ 32.9 mn+83.3%
  8. IsraelUS$ 29 mn → US$ 39.5 mn+36.3%

Low demand

  1. United States of AmericaUS$ 708 mn → US$ 311 mn-56.1%
  2. SingaporeUS$ 12.8 mn → US$ 9.7 mn-24.3%
  3. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 164 mn → US$ 133 mn-19.2%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Stones, diamonds in heading 7104, worked or graded but not strung, mounted or set, ungraded synthetic or… — non-industrial diamonds7104 91 20US$ 1.15 bn-8.1%15.3 mn crtUS$ 75.08 was US$ 111.59
Others-of-others-of-synthetic or reconstructed precious orsemiprecious stones, whether or not worked or graded but not strung,7104 99 00 · Stones, synthetic or reconstructed precious or semi-precious in heading 7104, worked or graded but not…US$ 18 mn-4.4%6.5 tonnesUS$ 2784.40 per kgwas US$ 4356.18
Stones, diamonds in heading 7104, worked or graded but not strung, mounted or set, ungraded synthetic or… — industrial diamonds7104 91 10US$ 7.2 mn-54.3%134k crtUS$ 53.46 was US$ 68.92

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 3.02 bn
2023
India among exporters
#1
of 60 countries
India’s share of world exports
43.1%
US$ 1.43 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 1.89 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1IndiaUS$ 1.43 bn 43.1%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 553 mn 16.6%
  3. 3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 362 mn 10.9%
  4. 4China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 295 mn 8.9%
  5. 5USAUS$ 291 mn 8.7%
  6. 6BelgiumUS$ 92.9 mn 2.8%
  7. 7ThailandUS$ 64.8 mn 1.9%
  8. 8ArmeniaUS$ 32.3 mn 1%
  9. 9IsraelUS$ 27.1 mn 0.8%
  10. 10JapanUS$ 27 mn 0.8%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 1.27 bn 42%
  2. 2United Arab EmiratesUS$ 367 mn 12.1%
  3. 3China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 352 mn 11.6%
  4. 4IndiaUS$ 243 mn 8%
  5. 5ChinaUS$ 141 mn 4.7%
  6. 6ThailandUS$ 121 mn 4%
  7. 7BelgiumUS$ 60 mn 2%
  8. 8United KingdomUS$ 55.4 mn 1.8%
  9. 9CanadaUS$ 42.3 mn 1.4%
  10. 10IsraelUS$ 40.7 mn 1.3%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

ChinaUS$ 230 mnIndia 39% · gap US$ 141 mn
United Arab EmiratesUS$ 367 mnIndia 70.1% · gap US$ 110 mn
United States of AmericaUS$ 1.1 bnIndia 90.4% · gap US$ 105 mn
VietnamUS$ 24.7 mnIndia 0.7% · gap US$ 24.5 mn
GermanyUS$ 28.8 mnIndia 15.2% · gap US$ 24.4 mn
South KoreaUS$ 48.2 mnIndia 52.9% · gap US$ 22.7 mn
United KingdomUS$ 55.4 mnIndia 60.1% · gap US$ 22.1 mn
CanadaUS$ 36.8 mnIndia 49.8% · gap US$ 18.5 mn
FranceUS$ 15.9 mnIndia 14.4% · gap US$ 13.6 mn
ItalyUS$ 10.5 mnIndia 17.4% · gap US$ 8.6 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export lab-grown diamonds

India has become one of the two biggest producers of lab-grown diamonds, with China, and is the main place where they are cut and polished. Surat has hundreds of CVD growing units, and most polished output goes to the USA, Hong Kong and the UAE. Prices have fallen sharply as production has grown, so margins depend on scale, quality and certification. US and EU rules require clear disclosure that the stone is laboratory-grown. Openings are in certified larger stones, matched pairs and fancy shapes for bridal jewellery, and in industrial diamond uses.

  1. 01Decide grower or polisher

    Growing needs large investment and power; most newcomers start by buying rough and polishing or trading.

  2. 02Join GJEPC

    Take the GJEPC RCMC.

  3. 03Buy and check rough

    Check rough for colour, inclusions and post-growth treatment before buying.

  4. 04Cut, polish and certify

    Polish, laser-inscribe and get grading reports for larger stones.

  5. 05Label everything

    Mark every parcel and invoice as laboratory-grown, under HS 7104.

  6. 06Export

    Ship as valuable cargo through the bourse, SEEPZ or airport customs.

  7. 07Get paid safely

    Use an LC or documents against payment with new buyers, take ECGC cover for open-account sales, and close the export with an e-BRC once the money arrives.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting lab-grown diamonds

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
They have the same carbon crystal structure as mined diamonds, but they must always be sold with a clear "laboratory-grown" description.
Which HS code do I use?
HS 7104 (synthetic stones): 7104 21 for unworked and 7104 91 for worked lab-grown diamonds. Using 7102 is a misdeclaration.
Do they need a Kimberley Process certificate?
No. The Kimberley Process covers natural rough diamonds only.
Why have prices fallen?
Production in India and China has grown much faster than demand. Compete on quality, certification and reliable supply rather than on price alone.
Who buys most of India's lab-grown diamonds?
In 2025-26 Hong Kong, the USA and the UAE were the largest destinations for HS 7104 91 (Commerce Department data).
Sources (5)
  1. GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council) — official site
  2. eCFR — 16 CFR Part 23, FTC Guides for the jewelry, precious metals and pewter industries
  3. Kimberley Process — official site (rough diamond certification scheme)
  4. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10.10.2024 (Notification 32/2024-25); rates continued to 31.12.2026 by Notification 41/2026-27
  5. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 7104 91 by country, 2025-26

Who buys Indian lab-grown diamonds

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