Exports of jewelry from India, the world's largest producer, climbed 24 percent in the five months ended August as overseas sales of diamonds rose.

Exports reached $7.75 billion, compared with $6.24 billion a year ago, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council said on its Web site. India shipped gems and jewelry worth $1.87 billion last month compared with $1.43 billion a year earlier.

Gold demand from India almost doubled in the three months ended June 30 to 317.2 tons as faster-than-expected economic expansion and plans to double jewelry exports in the next five years sparked purchases and investment demand.

Diamond exports rose 25 percent to $5.1 billion and jewelry sales gained 24 percent to $2.2 billion in the five months ended August. Sales of gemstones rose 11 percent to $99 million, while shipments of rough diamonds rose 12 percent to $222 million from year ago, the council said.

India's exports of gems and jewelry rose 3 percent to $17 billion in the year ended March from $16.6 billion a year ago, according to council's Web site.

By Debarati Roy