India Is NOT the World’s Biggest Gold Consumer & 26 More Facts About Gold & Diamonds
For centuries, gold and diamonds have remained deeply connected to celebration, heritage, craftsmanship, and emotion. While trends continue to evolve, the fascination surrounding fine jewellery has remained remarkably timeless.
As TDF celebrates 27 years, we thought there was no better way to celebrate than by sharing 27 interesting facts about two of the world’s most loved precious materials gold and diamonds.
Gold Facts
- India Is NOT the World’s Biggest Gold Consumer
Despite India’s obsession with gold, China has consistently remained the world’s largest gold consumer in recent years. India, however, continues to dominate when it comes to emotional and cultural attachment to jewellery.
- If Your Gold Jewellery Is Tarnishing, Your Jeweller Probably Lied to You
Pure gold does not rust, tarnish, or corrode naturally. If your gold jewellery is changing colour quickly, fading, or leaving marks on your skin, it may contain excessive alloy metals or poor-quality plating.
- Pure Gold Jewellery Is Actually Impractical for Daily Wear
24K gold is so soft that it bends easily. That’s why most wearable jewellery is crafted in 22K or 18K gold for better durability, structure, and long-term wearability.
- Some Indian Families Still Melt 30–40-Year-Old Jewellery to Create Modern Designs
Instead of letting heirloom jewellery sit unused in lockers, many families now redesign old gold into lighter, wearable contemporary pieces while preserving emotional value.
- White Gold Is One of the Most Misunderstood Jewellery Metals
White gold is not naturally white. It is created by mixing yellow gold with white metals like palladium or nickel and then coated with rhodium for its bright finish. Most luxury engagement rings and diamond solitaires globally are set in white gold because it visually enhances the brilliance of diamonds.
- Rose Gold Is Now More Popular Among Younger Buyers Than Traditional Heavy Gold Jewellery
Over the last decade, rose gold has seen massive popularity among younger consumers due to its softer tone, minimal aesthetic, and versatility in everyday diamond jewellery.
- Ancient India Used Gold in Some Truly Absurd Ways
Beyond jewellery, gold was historically used in:
- Royal dining utensils
- Temple ceilings
- Ayurvedic preparations
- Embroidered clothing
- Weapon detailing
- Palace wallS
Some kings reportedly consumed edible gold flakes as a symbol of wealth and status.
- Fake Hallmarks Are More Common Than Most Buyers Realise
A real BIS hallmark includes:
- the BIS logo,
- purity in karat and fineness,
- a six-digit HUID code,
- and the jeweller’s identification mark.
Many fake hallmarks simply stamp “22K” without proper BIS certification. Consumers can now verify HUID numbers directly through the BIS Care app.
- Gold Can Be Stretched So Thin That Light Passes Through It
Gold is one of the most malleable metals on Earth. A single gram of gold can be beaten into a sheet nearly one square metre wide.
- Lightweight Jewellery Demand Has Increased byNearly 65%in the Last Few Years
Modern consumers increasingly prefer jewellery that feels wearable daily rather than occasion-specific. Lightweight gold jewellery has seen significant growth, especially among younger working professionals.
- Gold Exchange Demand Has Increased byNearly 40%Compared to Pre-2020 Buying Behaviour
Many consumers today prefer exchanging old jewellery for newer designs instead of making entirely fresh purchases especially as gold prices continue to rise.
- Yellow Gold Is Still the Most Sold Jewellery Metal in India
Despite the rise of white gold and rose gold, yellow gold continues to dominate Indian jewellery sales due to its cultural familiarity, bridal relevance, and investment perception.
- Even During Inflation, Gold Remains One of India’s Most Emotional Purchases
Many Indian families still buy gold from a person’s first salary, during festivals, or for milestones even during periods of rising inflation and high gold prices.
Diamond Facts
- Nearly 90%of the World’s Diamonds Are Cut and Polished in Surat
Surat, Gujarat, is considered the global diamond polishing capital. An estimated 80–90% of the world’s rough diamonds pass through Surat before reaching international jewellery markets.
- Most People Dramatically Underestimate What It Takes to Create a Natural Diamond
Natural diamonds are formed nearly 150–200 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface under temperatures exceeding 1,000°C and immense pressure over 1 to 3 billion years. What eventually becomes a tiny polished diamond has survived conditions most materials never could.
- Bigger Diamonds Are NOT Always More Expensive
Many buyers assume size determines value, but a diamond’s cut often impacts its brilliance and pricing far more. A smaller diamond with an exceptional cut can appear brighter, more luxurious, and even costlier than a larger poorly cut stone.
- Round Brilliant Diamonds Dominate the Market for One Major Reason
Round brilliant diamonds continue to account for nearly 75% of global diamond sales because they are specifically engineered to maximise light reflection and sparkle. Their symmetrical structure creates more brilliance than most other diamond shapes, which is why they remain timeless across generations.
- Coloured Diamonds Are Natural Too Not Artificial
Many people assume coloured diamonds are man-made, but natural diamonds can occur in shades like pink, yellow, blue, green, and champagne due to rare natural conditions during formation. In fact, some coloured natural diamonds are even rarer than traditional white diamonds.
- Everyday Diamond Jewellery Has Increased Significantly Over the Last Decade
Compared to previous generations where diamonds were mostly reserved for weddings and special occasions, the demand for everyday diamond jewellery has reportedly grown by over 60% globally in the last decade as consumers embrace daily luxury styling.
- Tennis Jewellery Has Become One of the Biggest Diamond Trends Which Is the Exact Opposite of the Past
A few decades ago, heavy statement diamond sets dominated the market. Today, tennis bracelets, tennis necklaces, and minimal diamond lines are among the most searched and purchased diamond styles globally because consumers increasingly prefer understated luxury over excessive designs.
- Diamonds Are No Longer Bought Only for Proposals
Earlier, diamond purchases were heavily associated with engagements and gifting between partners. Today, self-purchase diamond jewellery has grown rapidly, especially among younger consumers celebrating promotions, milestones, financial independence, and personal achievements.
- Fancy Diamond Shapes Are Growing Faster Than Ever
While round diamonds still dominate overall sales, shapes like oval, pear, emerald, and cushion cuts have seen major growth in recent years as buyers increasingly look for individuality and modern aesthetics in diamond jewellery.
- The Number of Diamond Jewellery Sellers Has Increased Rapidly in Recent Years
The diamond jewellery market has expanded significantly over the last decade with the rise of online jewellery brands, lab-grown diamond companies, and digital-first retailers. India alone has seen thousands of new diamond-focused jewellery businesses emerge as consumer demand continues to grow.
- Despite the Rise of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Natural Diamonds Still Dominate Emotional Luxury Buying
Lab-grown diamonds have become more accessible in recent years due to lower pricing and technological advancements. However, natural diamonds continue to hold stronger emotional and luxury value for many buyers because of their rarity, geological age, and long-term perception as timeless heirlooms.
27 Years of Jewellery Observations
- Trends Change Faster Than Sentiment
Jewellery trends evolve constantly, but emotional value continues to remain timeless.
- Trust Still Shapes Jewellery Buying Decisions
Even today, transparency, craftsmanship, and long-term trust remain some of the most important factors for jewellery buyers.
- The Most Valuable Jewellery Often Carries a Memory
Long after trends fade, jewellery often continues to hold significance because of the moments and emotions attached to it.
As TDF celebrates 27 years, we remain grateful for the trust, memories, and relationships we have had the privilege of becoming part of through generations of jewellery buyers.
To celebrate this milestone:
- We are offering Flat 100% off on making charges of diamond jewellery
- Flat 50% off on making charges of gold & uncut jewellery
Because some celebrations deserve to become timeless too.
