Iran"s gemstones market, particularly the lapis lazuli sector, holds significant potential for international trade due to its rich mining history and high-quality deposits. The trade data from recent years reveals notable trends in both volume and pricing, providing a window into the current economic landscape surrounding this precious commodity. In 2022, Iran exported 192 kg of unworked precious or semi-precious stones, yielding a total value of $24,200. A comparison with previous years shows a shift in the gemstone market dynamics, particularly when examining the further worked stones category. For instance, in 2021, Iran exported approximately 2,780,000 carats of further worked precious stones, generating $50,495, while in 2020, the figure stood at 2,295,000 carats with a total value of $45,076. This upward trend in both quantity and value underscores a growing demand and possibly enhanced value-added processing capabilities within the country. Despite the evident growth in the further worked stones sector, the market for other categories such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds remained stagnant, with exports consistently valued at $300 over the past two years, indicating limited focus or demand in these sub-segments. Meanwhile, synthetic stones saw minimal export activity, with 190 kg exported for $380 in 2021.

These trends highlight a promising avenue for international businesses looking to explore trade opportunities with Iran, particularly in leveraging the country"s strengths in lapis lazuli production. For businesses seeking to connect with suppliers, understanding these market dynamics is crucial. Engaging with Aritral, an AI-driven B2B platform, can further simplify the process of international trade in the commodities sector. Aritral offers tools for product listing, direct communication with suppliers, global sales assistance, and AI-powered marketing solutions, making it easier to navigate and capitalize on the opportunities within Iran"s gemstones market. "