Kambhat Stone Art, also known as Agates of Cambay, is a traditional stone craft that originates from the historic town of Khambhat in Gujarat, India. This region has been famous for its agate stone craftsmanship for thousands of years. The craft involves shaping and polishing semi-precious stones such as agate, chalcedony, and jasper into beautiful decorative objects and jewelry. Archaeological evidence shows that agate bead-making in this region dates back to the time of the Indus Valley Civilization, making it one of the oldest surviving stone crafts in India. Over centuries, the artisans of Khambhat developed specialized techniques for heating, cutting, grinding, and polishing stones to bring out their natural colors and patterns. The stones are usually collected from nearby regions and then processed by skilled craftsmen using both traditional and modern tools. The unique banded patterns, earthy tones, and natural shine of agate make these stones highly valued for jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, prayer beads, and decorative carvings. Historically, Khambhat was an important trading port, and its agate beads were exported to many parts of the world, including the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Because of its long cultural heritage and distinctive craftsmanship, this traditional craft received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag No. 80 in 2008. Today, Kambhat stone art continues to support many artisan families and remains an important part of India’s handicraft heritage. The craft represents a beautiful blend of natural materials, skilled workmanship, and centuries-old artistic tradition.













