India's gem and jewellery exports rise to $2.57 billion in September

Gem and jewellery exports from the country rose to $2.57 billion (Rs12,429 crore) in September this year against $2.51 billion (Rs11,433 crore) recorded in September last year, posting an overall growth of 2.26 per cent, provisional figures provided by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) showed.

India exported cut and polished diamonds worth $1.76 billion (Rs8,533 crore) in September 2009 against exports worth $1.59 billion (Rs7,240 crore) in September last year - an increase of almost 11 per cent.

There has, however, been an almost 17 per cent decline in the export of gold jewellery in September this year. The total export of gold jewellery stood at $660 million (Rs3,198 crore) against $792 million (Rs3,610 crore) in the corresponding month last year.

There has been an almost 26 per cent growth in the export of coloured gemstones. Last September, around $33 million (Rs149 crore) were exported as compared to $41 million (Rs199 crore) this year.