Indian lab grown diamond and gem cutters affected by China lockdown

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 16, 2020

Artificial diamond and gem cutters in Trichy, Tamil Nadu are facing difficulties as many rely solely on China for raw materials and machinery and the country’s coronavirus-induced lockdown has halted the supply.

 
Trichy’s artifical diamond and gem cutters are facing a slowdown and several businesses hoping to procure artificial diamond cutting machines from China to expand their businesses are now unable to do so, TNN reported. Many artificial gem manufacturers in the region use Chinese machinery or directly import the artificial gems from China. Those seeking to purchase their own machines face visa restrictions until at least April 15.
 
“We still depend on China for the cutting and polishing tools,” Karumandapam-based artificial diamond maker, T Rajasekar, told TNN.

“We usually import on a monthly basis to cut the artificial diamonds. The clampdown on goods movement has kept our workshop closed.”
 
The area used to be a hub for handmade gems and diamonds which would be added to jewellery. However, the past decade saw a great increase in machine-made artificial diamond imports from China, which have greatly replaced local handmade gems. 
 
Effects of coronavirus-induced trade disruption continue to spread throughout Indian industry. As the Indian government has announced a number of measures to tighten border restrictions, this trend is showing no signs of slowing down.