Bharat Shah, the largest diamond merchant in India and one of the leading diamond dealers in the world, hails from the Jain community of Balanpur. On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, it is worth noting the specialty of the Jain community and their trading strategies. The Jain community from Balanpur, located in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat, migrated and flourished globally in Antwerp, Belgium, the world’s leading diamond cutting country, creating a strong diamond merchant community. Most of the Jain families from Balanpur ended with Mehta or Shah, who were the Nawabs of the village and served as efficient administrators and accountants.
In the 1960s, Jains, mostly Shahs and Medas, from Balanpur, Gujarat, started migrating to Antwerp. At that time, Hasidic Jews dominated the diamond trade there, so the Jains faced many restrictions and repressions. However, they decided to enter the trades where the Jews did not exist, especially the trades that the Jews did not see. When the Jains could not compete with the Hasidic Jews, they became a small group and began the work of cutting diamond dust and polishing and cutting small diamonds. This drew attention to the Jains’ diamond engravings among diamond merchants.
Antwerp, the center of the diamond trade, receives rough diamonds from Australia and Siberia. From them, the Jains buy small diamonds and diamond powder and send them to Surat and Navsari for engraving. Because only a few people in Antwerp knew how to cut and polish diamonds and many found it difficult to work with small diamonds, the Jains sent them to India and made diamond jewelry at low cost and sent it back to Antwerp. Over time, the processed diamonds were then shipped to Antwerp and sold in Belgium and European cities as well.
Globally, the Jain community has taken a keen interest in cutting and polishing diamonds and creating exquisite and unique diamond jewellery. They are considered to be the best diamond dealers not only in India but also globally.
Lord of India’s diamond industry!
India’s largest diamond merchant and one of the world’s leading diamond merchants, Bharat Shah is a flag-bearer in the industry.
It is noteworthy that he belonged to the Jain community of Balanpur. On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, here is a look at the specialty of the Jain community and their trading strategies.
Gujarat Jains!
The Jain community hailing from Balanpuri town in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, India, today migrated globally and flourished in Antwerp, Belgium, the world’s leading diamond cutting country, creating an unstoppable diamond merchant community.
Mehta & Shah!
Most of the Jain families from Balanpur end with Mehta or Shah. They were the Nawabs of the village and served as efficient administrators and accountants.
The era that began in 1960!
Jains, mostly Shahs and Medas from Balanpur, Gujarat, started migrating to Antwerp in the 1960s. At that time, Hasidic Jews dominated the diamond trade there. So the Jains started facing many restrictions and repressions.
Jews dominated
Since they could not compete with the Jews, the Jains decided to enter the trades where the Jews did not exist, especially the trades that the Jews did not see.
Team building!
However, when the Jains could not compete with the Hasidic Jews, the Jain community became a small group and began the work of cutting diamond dust and polishing and cutting small diamonds. This drew attention to the Jains’ diamond engravings among diamond merchants.
Antwerp to India
Antwerp, the center of the diamond trade, receives rough diamonds from Australia and Siberia. From them the Jains buy small diamonds and diamond powder and send them to Surat and Navsari for engraving.
India surrendered
Because only a few people in Antwerp knew how to cut and polish diamonds and many found it difficult to work with small diamonds, the Jains sent them to India and made diamond jewelry at low cost and sent it back to Antwerp.
Over time the processed diamonds were then shipped to Antwerp and sold in Belgium and European cities as well.
Unique diamond designs!
Globally, the Jain community has taken a keen interest in cutting and polishing diamonds and creating exquisite and unique diamond jewellery. That is why they are said to be the best diamond dealers not only in India but also globally.