Feature
Gems & Gemology, Spring 1986, Vol. 22, No. 1
A Survey of the Gemstone Resources of China
Peter C. Keller and Wang Fuquan
The People's Republic of China has recently placed a high priority on identifying and developing its gemstone resources. Initial exploration by teams of geologists throughout China has identified many deposits with significant potential, including amber, cinnabar, garnets, blue sapphires, and diamonds. Small amounts of ruby have also been found. Major deposits of nephrite jade as well as large numbers of gem-bearing pegmatite dikes have been identified. Significant deposits of peridot are currently being exploited from Hebei Province. Lastly, turquoise rivaling the finest Persian material has been found in large quantities in Hubei and Shaanxi Provinces.
