Diamonds
Dubai's diamond gateway
Certified for security, quality and responsible stewardship
Diamonds play an illustrious role in Dubai's heritage as a gateway for global trade. In the space of just 15 years, Dubai has transformed into the world’s third-largest diamond trading centre. It happened because we designed an environment that is safe, business-friendly, and that conveniently links producing and consuming markets.
DMCC’s investment in world-class infrastructure and services include the government-backed Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), our state-of-the-art vault and storage facilities, commitment to the Kimberley Process and the upgraded DDE tender facility in 2019.
Trade through the DDE has rapidly expanded by building on strong connections with producers in Africa, cutting centres in Asia and consumers in Europe, the United States and China. Consequently, our members and global partners can trade with complete confidence while accessing new markets.
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Dubai Diamond Exchange
The gateway to the global diamond trade
The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) is a unique platform that offers access to a trusted framework for all aspects of diamond trade. Located in the iconic Almas Tower, DDE is the first and only trading exchange for diamonds and coloured precious stones in the GCC, and home to some of the most prestigious jewellery manufacturers, retailers and traders.
Through membership of the DDE, precious stones traders and service providers are connected to a globally accepted governance and trade practice framework and as such, benefit from access to new markets and greater trust that this brings.
DDE Tender Best Practice
Code of Conduct
Setting the benchmark for diamond tenders and auctions
The DDE established the Tender Best Practice Forum (Forum) Code of Conduct (Code), which sets out the key principles for rough and polished diamond tenders and auctions in support of both suppliers and buyers. This initiative is the first of its kind globally, and sets the benchmark for diamond tenders and auctions.
Membership of the Forum is by invitation only and is extended to DDE members who have conducted a minimum of two tenders in the 12 months prior to the establishment of the Forum. The Code establishes best industry practice maintaining the integrity and governance for tenders and auctions, and all members will use the Forum logo to demonstrate their role in enhancing industry standards.
The DDE Vault
Secure storage in Dubai
The DDE Vault is a state-of-the-art storage facility that offers short and long-term storage solutions for diamonds, gold, designer jewellery and other precious items. Adhering to the highest global security standards, deposits and withdrawals can be made via a fully automated robotic system at the client’s convenience.
Kimberley Process
Safeguarding lives worldwide by stemming the trade in conflict diamonds
Following a landmark United Nations resolution in 2000, the Kimberley Process (KP) was established to foster collaboration between governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organisations and reduce the worldwide flow of conflict diamonds.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first Arab country to become a signatory of the KP in 2003, and DMCC provides the only legitimate entry and exit point for rough diamonds in the country.
What is the objective of KP?
The objective of KP is to prevent illegitimate diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade, and ensure all its members clearly certify that shipments of rough diamonds are conflict free. With this certification, consumers are assured that the diamonds they purchase have not been used to finance war or abuse of human rights.
Become a member of the KP
In the UAE, the Kimberley Process is implemented by the Ministry of Economy who has in turn, authorised DMCC to manage the country’s only entry and exit point. To ensure compliance with the requirements, we maintain strict requirements regarding the provision of mandatory documentation from each member of our rough diamond trading community.
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Diamonds in numbers
See the latest diamond statistics
Table 2.1 Import and export of polished diamonds in the UAE
Volume in carats and value in USD
| Year | Volume | Value |
| 2012 | 87,124,269 | $ 12,607,819,816 |
| 2013 | 117,185,185 | $ 16,124,513,020 |
| 2014 | 92,786,803 | $ 11,832,835,088 |
| 2015 | 90,622,050 | $ 11,634,961,014 |
| 2016 | 92,116,817 | $ 11,176,784,134 |
| 2017 | 85,465,756 | $ 11,555,916,117 |
| 2018 | 57,170,299 | $ 8,173,547,272 |
| 2019 | 62,972,327 | $ 8,577,440,549 |
| 2020 | 101,437,076 | $ 5,409,696,748 |
| 2021 | 15,236,447 | $ 9,073,219,281 |
| 2022 | 11,714,718 | $ 12,860,547,770 |
| H1 2023 | 5,995,691 | $ 8,420,704,495 |
Source: Dubai Customs
The data has not been validated
Table 2.2 Import and export of rough diamonds in the UAE
Volume in carats and value in USD
| Year | Volume | Value |
| 2012 | 120,926,743 | $ 11,487,890,649 |
| 2013 | 135,217,542 | $ 12,399,086,492 |
| 2014 | 134,821,340 | $ 14,179,640,266 |
| 2015 | 125,610,612 | $ 12,997,008,880 |
| 2016 | 138,636,478 | $ 14,934,726,680 |
| 2017 | 171,516,874 | $ 16,687,889,194 |
| 2018 | 151,181,279 | $ 16,767,952,788 |
| 2019 | 193,746,213 | $ 14,276,482,132 |
| 2020 | 164,157,240 | $ 12,047,356,484 |
| 2021 | 211,732,310 | $ 22,875,412,412 |
| 2022 | 180,020,627 | $ 24,550,567,855 |
| H1 2023 | 149,525,069 | $ 11,695,279,876 |
Source: Dubai Customs
The data has not been validated
For rough diamonds trade figures, please refer to Kimberley Process website: https://kimberleyprocessstatistics.org/
Table 2.3 Combined import and export of diamonds in the UAE
Volume in carats and value in USD
| Year | Volume | Value |
| 2012 | 208,051,012 | $ 24,095,710,465 |
| 2013 | 252,402,727 | $ 28,523,599,512 |
| 2014 | 227,608,143 | $ 26,012,475,354 |
| 2015 | 216,232,662 | $ 24,631,969,894 |
| 2016 | 230,753,295 | $ 26,111,510,814 |
| 2017 | 256,982,630 | $ 28,243,805,311 |
| 2018 | 208,351,578 | $ 24,941,500,060 |
| 2019 | 256,718,540 | $ 22,853,922,681 |
| 2020 | 265,594,316 | $ 17,457,053,233 |
| 2021 | 226,968,757 | $ 31,948,631,693 |
| 2022 | 191,735,345 | $ 37,411,115,625 |
| H1 2023 | 155,520,760 | $ 20,115,984,370 |
