India’s total exports of gem and jewellery increased by 45.35 percent to US$ 1892.32 million, during December 2009, over the same month last year when it amounted to US$ 1301.93 million, reports say. Exports of cut and polished diamonds recorded US$ 1289.09 million rising by 65.68 percent, over US$ 778.07 million in the same month last year.

Gold jewellery provisional export in the said month increased by 4.38 percent to US$ 508.62 million, from US$ 487.27 million in December 2008, reports say. Exports of coloured gemstones stood at US$ 15.18 million rising 310.27 percent in December 2009, from US$ 3.70 million in the month a year ago, reports say.

The country’s December exports increased from the same month last year when it had halted diamond purchase due to the global recession.