Dubai's diamond trade reached an unprecedented US$41.7 billion in 2025, according to Dubai Customs data released by DMCC, cementing the emirate's position as the world's premier gateway for the global diamond industry.
The figure eclipses the previous record of US$40.9 billion set in 2011 and comes alongside a record 359.5 million carats traded, up 42.5 percent year on year. This marks the first time Dubai has posted simultaneous records in both trade value and physical volume.
Total diamond trade across all categories climbed 16.2 percent from US$35.8 billion in 2024, adding US$5.8 billion in a single year. Coloured gemstones also hit new highs, with trade reaching US$1.1 billion, up 48 percent.
Natural diamonds remained the backbone of the market, generating US$39.9 billion and accounting for 95.8 percent of total diamond trade value. Rough diamond volumes reached 205.2 million carats, the second highest on record, while natural polished diamond trade rose nearly 25 percent to US$18.7 billion.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, credited the results to a long term strategy built on infrastructure, regulatory certainty and access to finance. He noted that trade through Dubai has doubled in volume and grown nearly 140 percent in value since 2020, with natural polished diamond value up 246 percent over the same period.
The figures also point to broader diversification within Dubai's precious stones sector. Coloured gemstone imports rose 68.8 percent and re-exports increased 33.5 percent, while synthetic and industrial diamonds now make up about 39 percent of total carat volume traded.
DMCC operates the Dubai Diamond Exchange, the region's largest diamond tender facility, supported by an ecosystem spanning logistics, customs, financial services and grading infrastructure that continues to anchor Dubai's leadership in global diamond trade.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
