Surat: The Diamond City
How Surat Became the Backbone of India’s Diamond Industry
How Surat developed over the years to become the most important city in India’s diamond industry — supporting millions of workers, businesses, and global exports.
- Surat has become the foundation (backbone) of India’s diamond economy.
- From a small manual polishing town to a global production powerhouse, Surat now handles the majority of diamond cutting and polishing work in India.
Surat became the backbone by combining skilled people, government support, and innovation — making it the most important city in India's diamond journey.
The Evolution of Surat’s Diamond Business
Surat’s diamond journey began in the early 1900s with small-scale manual polishing units.
By the 1970s–80s, the city saw rapid growth as:
- Skilled artisans multiplied
- Family-run businesses scaled globally
- Technology like laser cutting and CAD was introduced
Today, Surat is responsible for over 90% of the world’s diamond cutting and polishing, making it the global capital of diamond processing.
How It Supports Millions of Jobs
The diamond industry in Surat:
- Employs 7–8 lakh people directly
- Supports many more indirectly through transport, tools, packaging, training, etc.
- Provides opportunities for migrants from across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and UP
- Offers a ladder of growth — many workers become entrepreneurs
Entire neighborhoods in Surat exist because of the diamond ecosystem.
Government Policies & Incentives
The Indian and Gujarat governments have actively supported Surat’s growth through:
- SEZs (Special Economic Zones) for exports
- Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City – a massive diamond trading and manufacturing hub
- Training programs for artisans and use of AI & CAD
- New incentives for lab-grown diamonds, such as subsidies and export support
These policies have made Surat a global destination for diamond buyers and investors.
The Impact of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Surat is leading India’s lab-grown diamond revolution with:
- Advanced CVD and HPHT manufacturing units
- Increasing global demand due to ethical sourcing and affordability
- Businesses shifting from mined to lab-grown due to lower costs and faster production
Lab-grown diamonds are creating new job roles, expanding exports, and attracting younger entrepreneurs.