The story
Rajkot's Soni Bazaar has long been a centre for goldsmiths who make jewellery for Saurashtra and for traders across India. Most work happens in small, often unregistered workshops where karigars learn on the job. The city also makes silver ornaments and a large amount of imitation jewellery.
In numbers
The gems and jewellery cluster had about 5,000 units (most unregistered), Rs 1,000 crore turnover, Rs 200 crore exports and 35,000 workers (district profile 2012-13).
Brief Industrial Profile of Rajkot District 2012-13 (MSME-DI Rajkot, Ministry of MSME) · 2013
GI tag
- Rajkot PatolaApplication no. GI Application No. 380Registration details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Job-work for jewellery wholesalers
- Hallmarking and assaying services
- Imitation jewellery making and online sales
- Casting and CAD design services
Problems the cluster faces
- Most units unregistered and short of working capital
- Old technology
- Health hazards for workers from fumes and dust
Businesses to start here
Handicraft Jewellery Unit →Artificial Jewellery Shop →Gold Plating of Optical Frames and Jewellery (Job Work) →Brass (Metal) Jewellery Making →