Surat: Surat has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for ‘Surat Cut Diamond’, marking a major milestone for the city’s globally renowned diamond industry. The certificate was handed over to the Surat Diamond Association (SDA) by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) at a programme held in Ahmedabad recently. The SDA had applied for the certification around 18 months ago. Earlier, Surat Zari Craft had also secured a GI tag.SDA president Jagdish Khunt received the certificate from Prof. Unnat Pandit, Comptroller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), and Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII.“This recognition belongs to lakhs of diamond workers whose cutting and polishing skills have shaped the industry over decades. ‘Surat Cut’ will now emerge as a global brand on par with ‘Belgium Cut’ and other renowned standards. With nine out of ten diamonds in the world processed here, this recognition was long overdue,” Khunt said, adding that detailed documentation of Surat’s five-decade-old diamond legacy, including its tools, technology and craftsmanship, was submitted to secure the tag.According to SDA, the GI tag will provide legal protection and enhance the global credibility of Surat-cut diamonds, as such recognition is granted only to products uniquely linked to a specific geographical origin.Surat is the world’s largest diamond processing hub, handling nearly 90% of global diamond cutting and polishing. The industry employs over a million workers and has evolved from small workshops to a technologically advanced ecosystem. The GI tag is expected to strengthen branding, prevent misuse of the name, and enhance export value in competitive international markets.In Gujarat, several products such as Gir Kesar mango, Patan Patola, Surat Zari Craft, Amalsadi chickoo, Sankheda furniture and Ambaji marble have already received GI recognition for their geographical uniqueness.
