China's Crystal Markets: Donghai, Ketang, and Liwan — What's the Difference?

China is the world's largest center for crystal processing and distribution.

But "Chinese crystal" is not one place. It is three — and each one does something different.

If you have ever wondered where your crystal actually comes from, this is the chain.

Donghai, Jiangsu: raw stone and carving

Donghai is in Jiangsu province, near Lianyungang. It is known as the "crystal capital of the world."

It once held about 70% of China's crystal reserves. But today, the local mines are not enough.

So the people of Donghai did something: they started buying raw stone from all over the world.

Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, South Africa, Russia — around 100,000 tons of raw crystal arrive in Donghai every year. It is cut, polished, and processed here, then sold around the world. About 10,000 people from Donghai live overseas year-round, buying raw stone. They are known as the "crystal hunters."

Donghai's strength is raw stone, carved pieces, and crystal crafts. If you want crystal spheres, carved ornaments, or large raw pieces, Donghai is the place. The Donghai Crystal City has thousands of stalls, plus regular "crystal markets."

But there is a detail many people do not know: a lot of the crystal bracelets sold in Donghai actually come from Ketang, in Guangdong.

Ketang, Guangdong: where most of the world's bracelets are made

Ketang is in Haifeng County, Shanwei, Guangdong. It is an interesting place — it does not produce a single piece of raw crystal.

But its crystal processing volume accounts for more than 70% of the global total.

Ketang's work is cutting and processing crystal bracelets. Raw stone from Brazil and Africa arrives in Ketang, is cut into beads, drilled, and strung into bracelets. Those bracelets are then sold to Guangzhou, Donghai, Yiwu, and from there to the world.

The Ketang Jewelry Trading Market has four halls — A, B, C, and D. Hall A has the widest selection. Hall D has better prices. Annual processing volume exceeds 50,000 tons, with an output value of over 5 billion yuan.

Ketang's strength is bracelets, loose beads, and inlay parts. If you want finished bracelets, or loose beads to string yourself, Ketang is the source.

Liwan Plaza, Guangzhou: the largest wholesale market in Southeast Asia

Liwan Plaza is in Liwan District, Guangzhou, on Shangxiajiu Road. Since 2001, it has grown into the largest crystal and jewelry wholesale market in Southeast Asia.

From the basement to the third floor, it is all crystal and jewelry. More than 3,000 merchants. Annual sales of four to five billion yuan. The range is very wide: crystal, colored gemstones, parts, silver, jade — almost everything.

Liwan Plaza's strength is variety and convenience. It does not produce raw stone, and it is not a processing source. But it is a distribution hub — bracelets from Ketang, carvings from Donghai, gemstones from everywhere else, all gather here. For buyers, it is a one-stop shop.

The three, in one line

Donghai: where you buy raw stone and carvings. It buys stone from around the world and processes it into crafts.

Ketang: where you buy bracelets and loose beads. It produces no stone, but more than 70% of the world's crystal bracelets are cut here.

Liwan Plaza: where you buy everything and the parts. It is a distribution hub, not a source — but you can find almost anything here.

Closing

China is the manufacturing and distribution center for crystal. But behind the phrase "Chinese crystal" is a long chain:

Stone from Brazil → bought by Donghai's "crystal hunters" → cut into beads in Ketang → wholesaled out of Liwan Plaza → to your hands.

Every crystal has walked this road.

We work from Liwan Plaza. We do not hold inventory. We buy after you order. That is why our prices are lower than retail shops — and why every strand is picked the same week it is shipped.

Not sure which element you need? Take the free Five Elements test at wuxingvibe.com/reading — it takes 60 seconds, and it tells you which stones are for you.