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This table presents the customs value of U.S. imports of synthetic and imitation gemstones, categorized by country or locality, for the years 2020 and 2021. These figures reflect the economic significance of the gemstone trade, highlighting the sources of synthetic and imitation gems entering the U.S. market. Understanding these import values is crucial for stakeholders in the jewelry and manufacturing industries, as synthetic and imitation gemstones serve as cost-effective alternatives to natural gems, influencing market dynamics, consumer pricing, and supply chain decisions.
Analysis of the data reveals a substantial increase in the total value of synthetic gemstone imports, rising from $642 million in 2020 to $1.24 billion in 2021, nearly doubling within one year. India stands out as the dominant supplier, with imports surging from $528 million to $1.11 billion, underscoring its pivotal role in the synthetic gemstone market. China also exhibited significant growth, more than doubling its exports to the U.S. from $10.9 million to $27 million. Conversely, some countries like Belgium and Hong Kong experienced sharp declines, with Belgium’s value dropping from $16.7 million to $4.6 million and Hong Kong’s from $26.4 million to $1.2 million. In the imitation gemstone category, total imports slightly decreased from $38.7 million to $34.8 million. China remained the largest source, increasing modestly to $23.3 million in 2021, while countries such as Austria and Czechia saw notable decreases and increases, respectively. These shifts highlight evolving trade patterns and the growing prominence of certain countries in supplying synthetic and imitation gemstones to the U.S. market.
| TABLE 8 | ||||
| VALUE OF U.S. IMPORTS OF SYNTHETIC | ||||
| AND IMITATION GEMSTONES, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1, 2 | ||||
| (Thousand dollars) | ||||
| Country or locality | 2020 | 2021 | ||
| Synthetic, cut but unset3 and worked, not for jewelry:4 | ||||
| Armenia | 61 | 450 | ||
| Australia | 36 | 104 | ||
| Austria | 1310 | 816 | ||
| Belgium | 16700 | 4600 | ||
| Brazil | 505 | 1200 | ||
| China | 10900 | 27000 | ||
| France | 57 | 143 | ||
| Germany | 6180 | 8300 | ||
| Hong Kong | 26400 | 1200 | ||
| India | 528000 | 1110000 | ||
| Indonesia | 247 | 181 | ||
| Israel | 27200 | 65800 | ||
| Japan | 1460 | 1610 | ||
| Malaysia | 714 | 563 | ||
| Netherlands | 24 | 102 | ||
| Russia | 734 | r | 2080 | |
| Singapore | 468 | 265 | ||
| Sri Lanka | 237 | 110 | ||
| Switzerland | 1610 | r | 2090 | |
| Thailand | 1350 | 2030 | ||
| Ukraine | 12500 | 4440 | ||
| United Arab Emirates | -- | 1050 | ||
| United Kingdom | 3990 | r | 2780 | |
| Other | 1590 | r | 2260 | |
| Total | 642000 | 1240000 | ||
| Imitation:5 | ||||
| Australia | 27 | 52 | ||
| Austria | 14400 | 3010 | ||
| China | 19500 | r | 23300 | |
| Czechia | 928 | 4500 | ||
| Germany | 105 | 258 | ||
| India | 498 | 1060 | ||
| Italy | 129 | 191 | ||
| Japan | 51 | 240 | ||
| Korea, Republic of | 666 | 248 | ||
| Lithuania | 149 | 48 | ||
| Mexico | 1 | 124 | ||
| Netherlands | 235 | 472 | ||
| Pakistan | 321 | 454 | ||
| Switzerland | (6) | 440 | ||
| Taiwan | 1370 | 81 | ||
| Vietnam | 61 | 55 | ||
| Other | 291 | r | 255 | |
| Total | 38700 | r | 34800 | |
rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through May 31, 2022. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Customs value.
3Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) code 7104.90.1000.
4HTS code 7104.90.5000.
5HTS codes 3926.90.4000 and 7018102000.
6Less than ½ unit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Gemstones statistics | Mineral commodity prices