Surat is one of the most important places in the world of diamonds, and this October, a delegation of 30 JKDIGJ students went there to see the trade up close.

Over two days, the group stepped out of the classroom and into the working world of diamonds. They visited diamond cutting and polishing factories, where rough stones are turned into polished diamonds. They toured jewelry manufacturing units, where finished pieces take shape. They also spent time at a boutique centre for fancy and rare diamond cutting, a very different space from large-scale production.

At Lexus, students also got a behind-the-scenes look at the software and equipment used in the process. Seeing these tools at work is a very different experience from reading about them in a textbook.

Moving between different kinds of units gave our students a wider view of the industry. Diamonds are not the work of one team or one workplace. They pass through many hands, each with its own skills, tools and standards, and the best way to understand that is to see it for yourself.

For students building careers in diamonds and jewelry, this kind of exposure matters. It shows how the trade works beyond the classroom, helps them connect what they study to real workplaces, and gives them a clearer picture of where their skills can take them.

Scroll through the gallery below to see the tour through our students’ eyes.

At J K Diamonds Institute of Gems & Jewelry (JKDIGJ), we believe the best learning happens when classroom knowledge meets real industry experience. Since 1989, we have trained more than 12,000 alumni from over 40 countries, and visits like this are part of how we prepare the next generation for the trade.

A big thank you to our industry hosts for opening their doors to our students.