Liu Yangyang

524652046@qq.com

AS the saying goes, “For the finest jewelry in China, head to Shenzhen; for the best jewelry in Shenzhen, make your way to Luohu’s Shuibei.” The gold and jewelry industry in Shuibei has become a jewel of Luohu District.

On Friday, an international delegation consisting of well-known bloggers, Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassadors, and students from the Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes (X9 Alliance) visited the Shenzhen Jewelry Industrial Cluster in Shuibei, a subvenue of the 20th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) .

Their first stop was the Shuibei International Center, which is home to the country’s largest jewelry retail market.

“From the moment I stepped into the bustling marketplace, I was captivated by the dazzling array of jewelry shops, each showcasing an impressive collection of intricate designs and exquisite craftsmanship,” Pooneh Dabiri, an Iranian graduate student at Shenzhen University’s College of International Exchange, said.

The ladies of the delegation were invited to try on elegant and intricately designed necklaces and bracelets at an exhibition featuring breathtaking pieces inspired by both China’s Song Dynasty (960-1279) and traditional Chinese culture.

“I was amazed by the wide variety of gold and gemstone pieces, ranging from delicate necklaces and bracelets to intricate rings and earrings, with each piece telling its own unique story,” Dabiri said.

The delegation also had a chance to make silver rings themselves at a workshop in Gold Plaza, a jewelry-themed shopping mall in Shuibei.

“I think making a silver ring is very nice because it allows me to feel more connected to the culture of accessory design. Additionally, it provides a better understanding of today’s tour. It’s enjoyable to engage in hands-on activities rather than just observing,” Christine Bubeck, a Brazilian visual designer, said.

Giancarlo di Rovasenda, an Italian student from the Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, also found the workshop impressive.

“We managed to create small rings. We were fortunate not only to learn about the theory of gold alloying used in jewelry but also to create our own pieces in workshops with tools,” he said.

At the end of the tour, the delegation visited the China Goldsmith Training Center, an intangible cultural heritage goldwork workshop, located at Shuibei Wanshan. There, they carved and polished gold jewelry under the guidance of skilled goldsmiths and witnessed how raw materials are meticulously crafted into astonishing works of art by artisans.

“The artisans’ skill and dedication were evident in every piece, and I was fortunate enough to witness some of them at work, transforming raw materials into stunning works of art,” Dabiri said.

“It was very memorable. I think this kind of activity makes us eager to learn a lot about the quality of craftsmanship in Shenzhen,” said Rovasenda.

With over 40 years of development, Shuibei is now one of the largest and most advanced gold and jewelry industrial clusters in China, boasting a highly complete industrial chain. In its 1-square-kilometer core area, there are over 10,000 jewelry-related enterprises that account for over 75% of China’s gold and jewelry market.