Editor’s Note
As global demand rises during the peak consumption season, synthetic gemstone exports from Wuzhou, Guangxi—a hub producing around 70% of the world’s supply—are seeing significant growth. This report explores the latest trends and challenges in this dynamic export sector.
As the peak consumption season of the fourth quarter arrives, many foreign trade enterprises in China are experiencing rapid growth in export orders. Wuzhou in Guangxi is the main production base for synthetic gemstones in China, accounting for about 70% of global production. How are export orders this year? What are the latest changes?
Inside a synthetic gemstone jewelry manufacturing enterprise in Wuzhou, Guangxi, workers are polishing and setting various types of jewelry. The person in charge, Qin Qinglin, told reporters that Christmas gifts for foreign markets typically need to be on shelves by the end of November, so local manufacturers like his have been working overtime since August to fulfill export orders.
At another local enterprise, reporters saw a batch of uniquely shaped, colorful earrings, rings, and other jewelry ready to be shipped to the United States. It is understood that compared to previous years, synthetic gemstone jewelry this year features more styles and more complex craftsmanship.
It is reported that Wuzhou, Guangxi, has formed a complete industrial chain covering the cutting of synthetic gemstone rough stones like cubic zirconia, moissanite, and synthetic rubies/sapphires, as well as jewelry processing. Data shows that from January to August 2024, the total export value of Wuzhou’s gemstone enterprises was 1.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 173.2%.
Since the beginning of this year, prices of synthetic gemstones such as white zircon, lab-grown diamonds, and moissanite have dropped to varying degrees, which has also led to a significant increase in sales volume. Industry insiders indicate that due to a substantial improvement in production efficiency, the price of synthetic gemstones may continue to fall further in the future.
Wuzhou, Guangxi, is the largest trading and distribution center for synthetic gemstones in China. The local gemstone city gathers thousands of stores selling various types of synthetic gemstones, attracting domestic and international buyers.
Lab-grown diamonds, which are synthetic diamonds, are the variety with the largest price drop among synthetic gemstones. In a store specializing in wholesale lab-grown diamond rough stones, reporters saw buyers carefully selecting rough stones under the light.
Besides lab-grown diamonds, moissanite is another synthetic gemstone with a noticeable price drop this year. Reporters learned from visits to multiple stores that with the arrival of the peak consumption season, the drop in synthetic gemstone prices has also led to a significant increase in sales volume.
It is understood that in the past, processing synthetic gemstone rough material into finished stones was done manually by workers through cutting and polishing. Low output and persistently high processing costs have long been pain points in the industry.
Now, local synthetic gemstone processing enterprises have introduced automated equipment, reducing costs and increasing output, further driving down the price of synthetic gemstones.
