Throughout the years, the Mauritian jewellery sector has seen some major changes and is now one of a growing importance in the local economy. When it started out, the jewellery industry largely comprised of small-scale family-owned businesses which mainly produced gold and silver items for the local market. 

This sector has grown and evolved to become an industry. Today, it includes industrial set-ups with a number of jewellers exporting locally manufactured products. And, in some cases, exports represent 90% of the total production of businesses. 

The Mauritian jewellery sector is presently made up of some 574 Assay registered jewellers, and employs around 2000 operators (Central Statistics Office 2007 figures). Around 40 operators are involved in export activities at different level. And, total exports from the sector in 2008 amounted to Rs. 2,131,328,630 (Central Statistics Office figures).