Indian Gemstones
India is historically the world's most important gemstone trading and cutting centre, home to legendary Kashmir sapphires and a rich gem heritage spanning millennia.
Gemstones from India
India occupies a unique place in gemstone history — as both a major producer and the world's foremost cutting and trading hub. The legendary Kashmir sapphires, mined between 1881 and approximately 1925 in the remote Zanskar range, remain the most coveted and valuable sapphires in the world, with their characteristic velvety, sleepy blue colour unlike anything produced elsewhere.
Indian Gem Highlights
- Kashmir Sapphire: the most prized sapphire origin on earth; production effectively ceased over a century ago; stones are extraordinarily rare and valuable at auction.
- Diamond: India was the world's sole diamond source until the 18th century; historical mines include Golconda, source of the Hope Diamond and Koh-i-Noor.
FAQs — Kashmir Sapphires
Why are Kashmir sapphires so expensive?
The Kashmir mines produced sapphires for only a brief window in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The supply is entirely fixed — no new material is being mined — and demand continues to grow. Fine certified Kashmir sapphires regularly set world records at major auction houses.
Indian Gemstones
India is historically the world's most important gemstone trading and cutting centre, home to legendary Kashmir sapphires and a rich gem heritage spanning millennia.
Gemstones from India
India occupies a unique place in gemstone history — as both a major producer and the world's foremost cutting and trading hub. The legendary Kashmir sapphires, mined between 1881 and approximately 1925 in the remote Zanskar range, remain the most coveted and valuable sapphires in the world, with their characteristic velvety, sleepy blue colour unlike anything produced elsewhere.
Indian Gem Highlights
- Kashmir Sapphire: the most prized sapphire origin on earth; production effectively ceased over a century ago; stones are extraordinarily rare and valuable at auction.
- Diamond: India was the world's sole diamond source until the 18th century; historical mines include Golconda, source of the Hope Diamond and Koh-i-Noor.
FAQs — Kashmir Sapphires
Why are Kashmir sapphires so expensive?
The Kashmir mines produced sapphires for only a brief window in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The supply is entirely fixed — no new material is being mined — and demand continues to grow. Fine certified Kashmir sapphires regularly set world records at major auction houses.
