Growth of the jewelry industry in China has been developing much faster than anyone expected.

Since 2005, Chinese jewelry sales have increased by over US$3 billion, making China's jewelry sector the nation's largest consumer hot spot preceded only by real estate and automobile industry.  

Recently published statistics show that sales of gold and silver jewelry have kept a forward progressing momentum in China over the past few years. During 2007, the value of Chinese gold and silver jewelry trade products totaled US$14.2 billion, up 36% for the year.

It was reported that there are now over 10,000 independent jewelry proprietorships throughout the mainland of China.

- luke