Dubai's total diamond trade hit a record of $41.7 billion in 2025, exceeding the previous peak of $40.9 billion in 2011, as reported by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) based on Dubai customs data.
Trade volumes also reached a record 359.5 million carats, up 42.5% year-on-year – marking the first time Dubai has posted a record in both diamond trade value and physical volume in the same year.
Total diamond trade value across all categories rose 16.2% year-on-year, from $35.8 billion in 2024.
Since 2020, the total diamond trade through Dubai has increased 139% in value and 100% in volume.
Natural diamonds generated $39.9 billion in trade during 2025, accounting for 95.8% of total diamond trade value.
Rough diamonds traded 205.2 million carats, the second-highest volume on record and an increase of approximately 34% compared to 2024.
Natural polished trade value reached $18.7 billion, a rise of nearly 25% year-on-year. Since 2020, the natural polished trade has increased 246% in value, with the average value per carat increasing approximately eightfold to ninefold.
“Dubai's latest diamond trade figures demonstrate the success of a long-term strategy to build the world's most connected, transparent, and efficient precious stones ecosystem,” said DMCC executive chairperson and chief executive Ahmed Bin Sulayem.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we have seen trade through Dubai double in physical volume and grow by almost 140% in value. For natural polished diamonds alone, value has grown by 246%.”
The coloured gemstones trade reached an all-time high of $1.1 billion, up 48% year-on-year, with imports rising 68.8% and re-exports increasing 33.5%.
Synthetic and industrial diamonds together now account for approximately 39% of total diamond carat volume, it said.
DMCC operates the Dubai Diamond Exchange, the region's largest diamond tender facility, home to more than 1,380 member companies.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
