Editor’s Note
This article highlights the dual peak seasons in China’s synthetic gemstone industry, with strong overseas demand coinciding with a domestic sales surge ahead of the Lunar New Year. It underscores Wuzhou’s pivotal role as a global production hub.
At present, it is the peak season for the export of synthetic gemstones. Wuzhou, Guangxi, is a major global production base for synthetic gemstones, with an annual output accounting for over 70% of the global total. As the Spring Festival approaches, the domestic synthetic gemstone market has also entered its sales peak season, bringing rapid growth in sales volume.
A reporter learned that natural colored gemstones cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of yuan per carat, while synthetic emeralds, for example, only cost a little over 100 to 200 yuan per carat.
At a synthetic moissanite production enterprise in Wuzhou, Guangxi, a reporter saw hundreds of automated production equipment operating at full speed. After processes like machine grinding and cutting, one sparkling synthetic moissanite after another is completed. The production manager told the reporter that the factory is extremely busy during this period because orders need to be shipped to overseas markets before the arrival of the New Year.
This quote is from Liu Tongbin, a production manager at a synthetic moissanite production enterprise in Wuzhou, Guangxi.
Currently, Wuzhou, Guangxi, has formed a complete industrial chain primarily focused on the cutting and jewelry processing of synthetic gemstones like synthetic cubic zirconia and moissanite. From January to September 2025, Wuzhou’s synthetic gemstone export value reached 270 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 35%.
As the Spring Festival approaches, the domestic synthetic gemstone market has also entered its sales peak season. Since this year, the price of synthetic gemstones has seen a significant decline, which has also brought rapid growth in sales volume.
Wuzhou, Guangxi, is a major domestic trading and distribution center for synthetic gemstones, with over a thousand wholesale stores operating various types of synthetic gemstones. Deng Weijun is a local wholesale merchant specializing in synthetic diamonds. He told the reporter that since last year, the price of synthetic diamonds has been falling continuously until it stabilized in September this year, and sales volume has also started to rise.
This quote is from Deng Weijun, a synthetic diamond wholesale merchant in Wuzhou, Guangxi.
A reporter visited multiple stores and learned that in recent years, synthetic gemstones like synthetic emeralds and rubies have become new favorites for buyers due to their bright colors and affordable prices.
This quote is from Cheng Yantai, a buyer.
This quote is from He Weike, a synthetic gemstone wholesale merchant in Wuzhou, Guangxi.
It is understood that increased production is one of the main factors behind the price drop of synthetic gemstones. In recent years, local enterprises in Wuzhou have introduced a large amount of automated equipment, significantly reducing production costs and thereby increasing output.
This quote is from Xu Yongqiang, a person in charge at a synthetic moissanite production enterprise in Wuzhou, Guangxi.
With the increase in production and improvement in quality, the price of synthetic gemstones is becoming more affordable. The design of various jewelry pieces is also becoming more fashionable and trendy, appealing to younger consumer groups. Young people are gradually becoming a new driving force for consumption.
A reporter met Han Yiran, a young consumer shopping at a jewelry store in Wuzhou. Consumers like her pay more attention to cost-effectiveness and personalization. A trendy new necklace style is not only suitable for visiting relatives and friends during the Spring Festival but can also be incorporated into daily wear.
This quote is from Cheng Yantai, a buyer.
As the consumption potential of the younger group continues to be unleashed, former wholesale operators in the synthetic stone business have also begun to shift towards jewelry design and processing. Chen Jiawei is one of them. He told the reporter that with the continuous upgrade of consumption concepts, more and more male consumers are starting to pay attention to detailed expression, and the sales of male jewelry in his store have seen a significant increase.
From the production and processing of synthetic stones to original jewelry design, Wuzhou’s synthetic gemstone industry is undergoing transformation and upgrading. As of now, Guangxi Wuzhou has a total of 957 synthetic gemstone processing enterprises and 400 jewelry production enterprises. This year, the local area also newly built a Synthetic Gemstone Jewelry Intelligent Industrial Park, systematically introducing automated equipment to upgrade and improve the synthetic gemstone industry ecosystem.