Dubai has solidified its position as a global powerhouse in the precious stones sector, with its diamond trade soaring to a record-breaking $41.7 billion in 2025. According to figures from Dubai Customs and the DMCC, this performance eclipsed the previous 2011 record of $40.9 billion. The emirate also saw a massive surge in activity, handling 359.5 million carats—a 42.5 percent increase from the previous year. This achievement marks a significant moment for the region, as it is the first time Dubai has simultaneously set records for both total trade value and physical volume.

The sustained growth is largely attributed to the dominance of natural diamonds, which accounted for nearly 96 percent of the total trade value. Notably, the polished diamond sector has seen an extraordinary 246 percent rise in value since 2020. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of DMCC, credited this success to a focused long-term strategy aimed at building a transparent and efficient ecosystem. With colored gemstones also reaching a record $1.1 billion and synthetic diamond volumes continuing to rise, Dubai has successfully cemented itself as a vital link between global mining origins and major consumer markets.