Diamond Cutting Regions: Guangzhou & Shandong, China
Diamond Cutting in China
Article Copyright © 2012 AllAboutGemstones.com
During the past decade, China has become one of the largest producers of cut diamonds in the world next to Surat, with nearly 6.1 million carats of rough diamonds being processed each year. According to Diamond Vues, China is one of the fastest growing markets for cut diamonds next to Dubai, although China's market is principally in the lower-cost range [7].
There are two main diamond-cutting regions in China: Guangzhou province in the south, and Shandong province in the north. Within China there are estimated to be approximately 60,000 cutters working in over 100 diamond-cutting factories [2].
Diamond Cutting in Guangzhou Province
Guangzhou (aka 'Canton,' or 'Panyu,' or its ancient name 'Poon Yu') is the capital city and a sub-provincial city of Guangdong Province, located on the Pearl River Delta in the southern part of the People's Republic of China, approximately 75 miles northwest of Hong Kong.
Within Guangzhou province the majority of the diamond cutting and polishing factories are located in the Panyu (Pun Yue) Industrial District, near Hong Kong. Panyu is known as the 'gems and jewellery capital' of China, and in 2007 Guangdong Province imported more than $420 million in diamonds during the first quarter [2].
According to India's Daily News & Analysis, China's low yet skilled labor costs, technology training institutes, and excellent infrastructure make it a perfect environment for rapid growth, and Chinese workers acquired the skills from Surat craftsmen who were brought in to train them [4].
Diamond Cutting in Shandong Province
Shandong is a coastal province located at the eastern edge of the North China Plain in northeastern China. Shandong's name literally translated to "east of the mountain," referring to its location east of the Taihang Mountains.
Shandong is not only a diamond polishing center but the region also is China's major manufacturing center for diamond cutting, lapping and polishing equipment and supplies.
In 2006, the Shanghai Daily News reported that China's jewelry sales were expected to grow by more than 40% over the next five years. That same year, China opened the National Gemstone Testing Center in Shanghai - a gemological testing laboratory designed to augment the testing facility in Shenzhen.
Diamond Mining in Shandong Province
Not only does Shandong have a burgeoning diamond-cutting industry but there is the tantalizing prospect of rough diamonds being extracted from the kimberlite deposits of the '701' Changma Diamond Mine in Mengyin County, Shandong Province (Yimeng Mountain Area); and Xiaobuling Mine in Linyi Prefecture, Shandong Province.
The mines are operated by China Diamond Corp. which engages in the mining, exploration, and development of diamond and gold prospects in China. China Diamond Corp. owns a 50% interest in the Changma Diamond Mine that consists of a single mining license covering an area of 1.16 square kilometers. Diamond placer deposits were also identified in Tancheng, Linshu and the middle and upper end of the Yisu river.
Bibliography on Guangdong & Shandong's Gem-Cutting
1. Diamond Vues, China and Dubai Fastest Growing Diamond Markets  . www.diamondvues.com
2. Mineweb, Guangdong Sparkles as China's Diamond Capital . www.mineweb.net
3. Panyu, Trade & Economic Cooperation Bureau of Panyu . www.panyu.gd.cn
4. DNA India, Red Diamond: China Shining . www.dnaindia.com
5. Shandong Province, Petrography of Kimberlite from Mengyin Mine . www.geo.sc.chula.ac.th
6. China Diamond Corp Ltd., Diamond Mining in China . www.chinadia.com
7. Diamond Vues, Where Have All The Diamond Cutters Gone? . www.diamondvues.com
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