www dot diamonds

• Published 28 May 2009

China's middle class go in search of bargain gems.

In China these days, it seems, gold is good and diamonds are popular – but bargain diamonds are forever. De Beers reported that while its global sales slowed significantly in Q408 during the global slump, its orders from China increased 15% from a year earlier. And, according to China's Gems and Jewelry Trade Association, diamond sales reached Rmb 20bn ($2.92bn, €2.1bn, £1.83bn) in 2008.

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