SURAT: It is the sparkling gems from Surat, which are helping the people in Japan to express their love and compassion to their near and dear ones hit by earthquake and tsunami on March 11. There was a fear among the diamantaires in Surat that the diamond connoisseurs in Japan may lose their taste for few months following the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami on March 11. But, the export of polished diamonds to Japan in April has proved once again that when a country is hit hard, it expresses its feeling more openly, often with diamonds.

In April, Japan imported a total of $95.7 million worth of polished diamonds, increasing by 80.1 per cent year over year, and by 56.8 per cent from March as per the figures released by Momozawa & Co., Inc. Out of the total diamond import in Japan, India, especially Surat remained the biggest diamond supplier with export of $40 million worth of diamonds followed by Belgium at $22 million and Israel exporting 16.7 million worth of polished diamonds.

In the first four months of 2011, Japan imported $279.3 million worth of polished diamonds, growing 23 per cent from last year. "The strong resilience of Japanese consumers reflects in the monthly import of polished diamonds by the country. Despite great sufferings, the people of Japan are expressing their feeling with diamonds," said Sanjay Kothari, vice-chairman, Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council ( GJEPC).

According to Kothari, the increase of polished diamond import by Japan shows that country's economy has revived in a record time after being hit by earthquake and tsunami. Industry analysts estimate that China, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan currently account for 19 per cent of $65-$70 billion global diamond jewellery sales. There is a forecast that the demand from Asian nations could well increase to 31 per cent from 2015.

"Demand for polished diamond is robust from Asian nations since 2010 and that is projected to increase further with the increase in diamond consumption in Japan," said Kothari. Dinesh Navadia, president of Surat Diamond Association (SDA) said, "Japan has proved that diamonds is one medium to express your feelings. We are proud of the fact that we are polishing diamonds for the world."