The Dubai diamond sector witnessed a landmark year in 2025 with total trade reaching a record-high level of $41.7 billion. This was due to the rising dominance of Dubai within the international gems market, thanks to growth not only in trade value but also in physical volume. This places Dubai among the foremost centers for diamonds worldwide, owing to its favorable infrastructure, international reach, and commodity ecosystem.
Record Trade Value and Volumes Mark a Historic Year
According to statistics published by the DMCC, which utilized figures from Dubai Customs, diamond trade rose 16.2% on a yearly basis from $35.8 billion in 2024 to $41.7 billion in 2025. Furthermore, there were a record-breaking 359.5 million carats, which saw a massive 42.5% increase from the year before.
This performance is remarkable as it is the first time that Dubai has seen both its highest value ever and physical trade volume in one year. This latest record of $40.9 billion has now been broken, having stood for over a decade since its initial setting in 2011. Since 2020, Dubai's diamond trade has risen by 139% in value and doubled in volume.
Natural Diamonds Continue to Drive Market Growth
The trade in natural diamonds continued to be the mainstay of the Dubai diamond trade throughout the year 2025. It contributed around $39.9 billion, representing close to 96% of the overall trade value.
Natural rough diamond trading witnessed a volume of 205.2 million carats, the second highest ever recorded. Natural polished diamonds, on the other hand, witnessed a notable surge in trade value, recording a value of $18.7 billion, which is an increase of 25% over the previous year. DMCC observed that the trade in polished diamonds has increased by 246% since 2020.
Dubai Expands Beyond Diamonds
The whole precious stones segment has also done well. Coloured gemstone trade registered a new high of $1.1 billion due to improved import figures and increased levels of re-export operations. On the other hand, synthetic and industrial diamonds have continued to form an integral part of the trade, making up about 39% of total caratage traded during the year.
According to industry sources, this kind of performance has been attributed to Dubai’s all-rounded trading infrastructure, encompassing customs, logistics, finance, valuation, and Dubai Diamond Exchange. The city has remained attractive to producers, manufacturers, dealers, and retailers in their search for effective market entry into Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of DMCC, said that the figures reflect the success of a long-term strategy.
“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,” he said.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, we have seen trade through Dubai double in physical volume and grow by almost 140 per cent in value. For natural polished diamonds alone, value has grown by 246 per cent,” he added.
“Through world-class infrastructure, regulatory certainty, access to finance, and one of the world’s most sophisticated ecosystems for precious stones, we will continue to provide the platform the industry needs to grow,” Bin Sulayem added.
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The most recent statistics demonstrate how Dubai continues to transform into a center for the trade of precious stones around the world. Due to changes in international supply chains and increasing demand for natural and special gemstones, Dubai's investments in trade infrastructure and regulation help increase its competitiveness. As a result, due to stable growth in different categories and increasing global participation, Dubai seems to be quite prepared to continue being the leader in the international diamond market.