Surat Diamond Cutting Polishing Gujarat Global Gem Industry

Surat in South Gujarat processes 90% of the world rough diamonds, transforming stones arriving from Botswana, Russia, and Canada into polished diamonds exported to Antwerp, New York, and Mumbai. The diamond cutting industry employs over 700,000 workers (Kathiawari migrant communities) in 5,000 cutting and polishing units in the Varachha and Mahidharpura districts of Surat. Surat is also the birthplace of the Lab Grown Diamond (LGD) revolution — over 50% of Surat factories now cut LGD alongside natural diamonds. Surat Rough Diamond Traders Cooperative ensures fair pricing and dispute resolution for polishers. The industry provides first-generation employment to Patel, Koli, and other communities who migrated to Surat from Saurashtra.