Jewellery crafted by Israeli goldsmiths and silversmiths has long enjoyed great popularity. Today, visitors to Israel can find truly exquisite pieces that are sure to attract admiration.
Israeli artisans create distinctive, beautiful, and relatively affordable jewellery—from elegant pieces set with a variety of gemstones to finely crafted silver items that are exported worldwide. For many travellers, a visit to Israel is inspired not only by the desire to see the Holy Land but also by the opportunity to enjoy exceptional shopping. Jewellery shopping here offers a unique encounter with finely crafted pieces that stand out thanks to the country’s long-standing traditions.
Israel is especially renowned for its diamonds and ranks among the world’s leading centres for their trade. Jewellery and gemstones can be purchased at the Israel Diamond Exchange, through which a significant share of the world’s diamonds pass.
Located in Ramat Gan, just east of Tel Aviv, the exchange forms the heart of Israel’s diamond industry. This sector is one of the country’s key sources of income and benefits from favourable conditions, including duty-free import and export of diamonds and strong international support for the industry.
The history of the Israeli Diamond Exchange dates back to 1937, when the first diamond trading organisation—then called the “Palestine Diamond Club”—was established. What began as a small operation has grown into a vast complex of skyscrapers housing offices, showrooms, cutting facilities, banks, postal services, restaurants, and even places of worship—effectively a “city within a city.”
All diamonds purchased here come with certification. Another notable feature is the possibility to upgrade jewellery: items can often be exchanged for more expensive pieces, with most of the original value retained.
The price of a diamond is determined by the well-known “4 Cs”:
In addition to diamonds, Israel is also an excellent place to purchase silver jewellery. The region is one of the cradles of civilisation, and jewellery-making traditions here date back thousands of years. Historically, due to the lack of local deposits, silver was sometimes valued even more highly than gold, leading to the development of exceptional craftsmanship.
Modern Israeli jewellery design was revived in the 20th century following the establishment of the state. Over time, artisans developed a distinctive national style known as “Sabra,” characterised by deliberately bold, slightly rugged forms inspired by ancient traditions.
Israeli silver jewellery often features large rings with semi-precious stones, statement earrings, and elaborate necklaces. One of the most unique elements is “Roman glass”—ancient glass fragments discovered during archaeological excavations, prized for their iridescent patina formed over centuries underground.
Today, dozens—if not hundreds—of workshops and companies across Israel produce these distinctive pieces, which are highly sought after around the world.