Dubai’s diamond trade hit a record high of USD 41.7 billion in 2025, surpassing the previous record set in 2011. According to data from Dubai Customs, the total trade volume also reached a historic 359.5 million carats, marking the first time the emirate has posted record numbers for both value and physical volume in the same year.
Total diamond trade value across all categories rose 16.2% year-on-year, climbing from USD 35.8 billion in 2024 to the new record. This increase added roughly USD 5.8 billion to the market in a single year. The growth was driven by a continued strength in natural diamonds, which generated USD 39.9 billion in trade during 2025. These natural stones accounted for 95.8% of the total trade value.
Rough diamonds delivered particularly strong momentum. Dubai traded 205.2 million carats of natural rough diamonds during the year, representing the second-highest volume on record and an increase of approximately 34% compared to 2024. In the natural polished category, trade value reached USD 18.7 billion in 2025, a rise of nearly 25% year-on-year.
The data reflects a longer-term trend. Since 2020, total diamond trade through Dubai has increased 139% in value and 100% in volume. This growth comes despite the expansion of gemstone trade and other diamond categories in recent years.
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Diversification beyond natural stones
Coloured gemstones trade achieved an all-time high, reaching USD 1.1 billion in 2025. Imports rose 68.8% and re-exports increased 33.5%, demonstrating growth across both sourcing and distribution. Meanwhile, synthetic and industrial diamonds together now account for approximately 39% of total diamond carat volume.
The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) operates the region’s largest diamond tender facility and serves as home to one of the world’s leading diamond trading communities. DMCC, which operates the DDE, said the record figures demonstrate the success of a long-term strategy to build the world’s most connected, transparent, and efficient precious stones ecosystem.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said: “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%. We are the partner of choice for producers, manufacturers, traders, and retailers across the global industry.”
Officials note that natural diamonds remain the economic foundation of Dubai’s marketplace. However, the broader ecosystem is diversifying to include a wider range of materials and market participants. DMCC operates with an integrated ecosystem spanning secure logistics, customs facilitation, financial services, grading, technology, and specialised infrastructure to support this growth.
