Precious stones exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported precious stones worth $39.7 million (21.4 thousand tonnes). That is 15% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $51.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $39.7M | 21.4K t |
| 2023 | $34.5M | 14.6K t |
| 2022 | $36.9M | 18.9K t |
| 2021 | $47.1M | 20.7K t |
| 2020 | $35.6M | 15.8K t |
| 2019 | $35.5M | 15.9K t |
| 2018 | $51.7M | 9.1K t |
| 2017 | $24.2M | 6.7K t |
Where South Africa exports precious stones to
Most of it went to China (48%), Thailand (14%), India (13%). Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+130% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $19.1M | 48% |
| Thailand | $5.4M | 14% |
| India | $5.3M | 13% |
| United States | $2.7M | 6.9% |
| United Kingdom | $1.1M | 2.9% |
| Singapore | $827K | 2.1% |
| Switzerland | $723K | 1.8% |
| Hong Kong | $718K | 1.8% |
| Germany | $620K | 1.6% |
| Italy | $528K | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 7103
| 7103.10 | Stones: precious (other than diamonds) and semi-precious stones, unworked or simply sawn or roughly shaped, not strung, mounted or set | 51% |
| 7103.91 | Stones: rubies, sapphires and emeralds, worked (other than simply sawn or roughly shaped), not strung, mounted or set | 30% |
| 7103.99 | Stones: precious (other than diamonds) and semi-precious stones, (other than rubies, sapphires and emeralds), worked other than simply sawn or… | 19% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7103.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.86 per kg, 96% below the world average of $44.08, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Precious stones imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported precious stones worth $6.8 million (1.5 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from United States (25%), India (18%), Namibia (15%). Among the main suppliers, Tanzania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.7M | 25% |
| India | $1.2M | 18% |
| Namibia | $1.0M | 15% |
| Thailand | $579K | 8.6% |
| Hong Kong | $348K | 5.2% |
| Tanzania | $333K | 4.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $296K | 4.4% |
| China | $229K | 3.4% |
| Zambia | $226K | 3.4% |
| Botswana | $174K | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 7103: Precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone; worked, graded, not strung, mounted, set; ungraded precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone, temporarily strung for convenience of transport.
Common questions
What is the value of precious stones exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported precious stones worth $39.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 21.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 162 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 15% on 2023.
Which countries buy precious stones from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 48% of the value ($19.1 million), followed by Thailand (14%) and India (13%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 77 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 130% on the year.
What is the average export price of precious stones per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.86 per kg in 2024, 96% below the world average of $44.08 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of precious stones from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $24.2 million in 2017 to $39.7 million in 2024, an increase of 64%. The peak was 2018 at $51.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import precious stones?
Yes. South Africa imported $6.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the United States, India and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $32.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for precious stones?
The HS code for precious stones is heading 7103. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7103.10 (51% of the value) and 7103.91 (30%). It sits in HS chapter 71 (natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7103 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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