Where the trade buys and sells in person: gem markets, trading districts, diamond exchanges and gem towns, with what is traded and when to go.
Diamond exchange
Ramat Gan, Israel
Traded: Polished diamonds
The centre of Israel's diamond trade, around the Israel Diamond Exchange, whose trading floor in the Diamond Tower is among the largest in the world. Entry is for members and their guests.
Gem market
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Traded: Gold jewellery (mostly 18K to 24K), diamond and gem-set jewellery
More than 300 gold and jewellery shops in the old souk on Dubai Creek in Deira, and some 500 more in its newer extension. Prices follow the day's gold rate plus a making charge.
Places, not businesses: JewelLoop does not rank, recommend or endorse any dealer. Days and hours change, so check locally before you travel. Street markets also sell imitations, synthetics and undisclosed treatments: buy important stones with a report from a recognised laboratory, and follow the export and customs rules of every country involved.