Which country is the world's number one exporter of cut colored gems other than emerald, ruby and sapphire?

• A. India
• B. Sri Lanka
• C. Thailand
• D. Vietnam

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how different countries specialize in processing and exporting colored gemstones. India stands out because it operates as a massive hub for cutting, polishing, and trading a wide range of colored stones beyond the well-known emerald, ruby, and sapphire. Indian lapidaries and cutting houses—especially in centers like Jaipur and Mumbai—receive rough stones from around the world, cut and finish them, and then export large volumes of these finished gems. This scale of processing and international trade makes India the top exporter of cut colored gemstones outside the three famous ones.

Sri Lanka is a major source and trader of colored gemstones and is renowned for its own quality stones, but the overall export volume of finished stones from India surpasses it. Thailand and Vietnam are important players in the gem market as well, particularly for certain stones, but they do not match India’s overall export volume of cut colored gems.