During December 2008, import of polished diamonds into India, increased by 26.36 percent to $296.53 million and in volume terms it amounted to 1.4 million carats averaging $211.62 per carat. In the period April-December 2008, imports of polished diamonds increased by 7 percent to USD 5368 million, while last year it was USD 3648 million in the said nine months.

The total imports of diamonds and gemstones into India, increased by almost 12 percent during the months April-December 2008, and amounted to USD 14,750 million. In terms of the Rupee the increase was 21 percent. Rough imports dipped by nearly 5 percent in dollar terms, amounting to USD 6904 million, over USD 7262 million imported in the same months in 2007. In volume terms, 1044 lakh carats of roughs were imported, while in the same period last year, it amounted to 1286 lakh carats.

Imports of gold bars amounted to USD 1607 million in the said months, deceasing by 5 percent over the same time frame last year, when USD 1698 million worth of gold bars were imported.