Jaipur Precious Gemstone Cutting Polishing Rajasthan

Jaipur is the undisputed capital of India's coloured gemstone trade — a city where an estimated 40,000 artisans work as gem cutters, polishers, setters, and dealers in an industry that has made Jaipur the world's largest center for cutting and trading coloured gemstones (emerald, ruby, sapphire, tourmaline, garnet, and semiprecious stones). The gem trade in Jaipur has been active since the Mughal period when the city's craftsmen were called to serve the imperial court's demand for jewelled luxury goods. Today Jaipur's gem bazaar (particularly Johari Bazaar and Gem Palace) sees over 100 million US dollars in annual gemstone turnover. Jaipur gemstone cutters (termed karkhanedars) specialize in coloured stone cutting on horizontal laps (bronze or copper discs charged with carborundum or diamond grit) powered by foot pedal or electric motor. Different stone species require different lap speeds and cutting angles for optimal transparency and brilliance. Emeralds from Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil are cut in Jaipur as the city's specialty — Jaipur emerald cutting is recognized as the best in the world for its ability to maximize colour saturation while minimizing inclusions in the cut stone. Jaipur also has a significant rough stone import market (mostly from African origins) and a large export market of cut stones to USA, UK, Gulf jewellery manufacturers. Jaipur Gemstone Dealers Association and the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council support the cluster.