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).

In recent years, the jewellery industry has attracted an important number of foreign investors, namely from Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany. They have set up small to medium-sized manufacturing companies which are primarily involved in export activities. The arrival of foreign investors has also resulted in technological improvement to existing processes, and has led the way to innovation, at the design level.

The industry faces keen competition from low-cost producing countries such as India, Thailand, Indonesia and China. In order to sustain competitiveness, the strategy is to invest in more advanced methods of production so as to increase efficiency and quality. 

The main strengths of our local jewellery industry are quality and craftsmanship. Moreover, our competitiveness is strengthened by value-added factors such as design, marketing, distribution and personalised service – all of which are now key in jewellery trade. 

Although, the demand is mainly for conventional pieces of jewellery, Enterprise Mauritius has already identified new opportunities for the jewellery sector, based emerging trends. 

One such opportunity lies in the demand for niche product items such as antique reproduction and original design pieces of non precious metals. There are also growing interests from the non-traditional customer categories such as the younger generation and professionals whose purchase preferences go to jewellery and fashion items made of semi-precious stones such as pearls, crystals, zirconia’s and birthstones set in less conventional or non-traditional shapes  and designs.

The local jewellery industry can also benefit from the increasing number of tourists arriving in Mauritius each year share our exquisite designs, unique pieces and limited edition.