【Jaipur, Raja】Jaipur: The Gemstone Capital

Jaipur, in Rajasthan, India, is the world capital of gemstones. For example, 80% of the world’s rough emeralds are polished there.

Jaipur attracts gemstone buyers from all over the world, like Charline Barbelette. She has just launched her own jewelry brand and, of course, this is also where it all begins for her. For the Frenchwoman, price is what matters. And here, there are stones for every budget. But Jaipur is not just a huge market: it is also home to hundreds of cutting and manufacturing workshops. A unique expertise in the world. Charline comes to collect her first rings. In this factory, 150 people will craft jewelry that will be shipped worldwide.

Alongside this mass production, the world’s jewelry houses also come to Jaipur. Lucia Silvestri is the creative director for a major brand. She has been coming here for over thirty years. The address of her supplier is kept secret. The stones sold here are among the most expensive in the world: they will soon be set into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. This time, price is not an issue: what she seeks is perfection.

The negotiations will be held behind closed doors. It was the Maharajas who first brought precious stones to Jaipur in the 18th century for their own needs. Today, sales of jewelry and precious stones exceed 30 billion euros per year.