[ Introduction ] Amber has long been known as "soft gold" and was highly prized in the past by imperial nobles and Buddhist professionals. In recent years, the amber jewelry market has experienced rapid growth. If you’re also interested in amber, you simply can’t afford to miss the data and analysis report that this article is about to reveal!

Amber boasts a rich variety of colors and a warm, smooth texture that distinctly sets it apart from other mineral gems. Moreover, amber is one of the Seven Treasures revered in Buddhism. Amber comes in hues ranging from the royal yellow once reserved exclusively for the imperial court to the red cherished by the Chinese, as well as dreamy shades of blue. Some pieces are crystal-clear and translucent, others feature intricate patterns and swirling veins, while still others contain perfectly preserved insects or tiny creatures, telling poignant stories from tens of millions of years ago for future generations to cherish. Coupled with the surge of popularity among film and television stars over the past few years, amber has successfully catered to the diverse purchasing needs of consumers across multiple dimensions.

In recent years, China’s amber market has experienced rapid growth. The number of processing, wholesale, and retail enterprises, as well as the workforce involved in this sector, has been expanding rapidly, making it a major highlight in the jewelry industry and attracting widespread attention from both insiders and outsiders!

[ Primary raw material origin ]

Currently, amber on the Chinese market mainly comes from countries including China, Myanmar, Baltic coastal nations, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. In China, jewelry-grade amber is primarily mined in Fushun. However, the original amber deposits there have now largely been exhausted, and most of the amber currently circulating in the market consists of stockpiles previously held by coal miners. Fushun amber is particularly renowned for its abundance of insect-inclusions; it features rich, subdued hues, a soft luster, and a warm, smooth texture, making it highly favored among amber enthusiasts—especially those who collect insect-inclusive amber. The amber varieties most commonly found in the Chinese market include Baltic amber, Myanmar amber, Dominican amber, and Mexican amber.

[ Industry scale ]

According to the survey, Currently, the whole country has 2 Tens of thousands of people are dedicated to the amber industry, and there are over a thousand amber businesses of all sizes. 2015 Annual output value of approximately 100 100 million yuan.

[ Processing market  ]

The processing hubs are mainly concentrated in Guangdong and Yunnan, with a small presence in Fushun, Liaoning. In Guangdong, the primary materials processed include Baltic, Dominican, Mexican amber, as well as some Burmese amber. Tengchong in Yunnan specializes in the processing and sale of Burmese amber, with much of the activity centered around the former site of the jade market.

[ Wholesale market  ]

Southern wholesale enterprises are mainly concentrated in... Liwan, Guangzhou , the north is mainly concentrated in Beijing Panjiayuan and Shilihe Markets. Under the leadership of Fushun Amber, Fushun in Liaoning has developed distinctive wholesale and retail markets.

[ Retail market ]

 2014 In previous years, the retail segment for amber was predominantly dominated by specialized retailers, mainly concentrated in first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, while comprehensive jewelry retailers played a relatively minor role. 2014 Starting from that year, as the economy slumped and sales of other product categories showed a noticeable decline, several integrated jewelry companies gradually began to expand their offerings to include amber.

[ Inlay and Carving Market ]

     Amber products mainly consist of beads and pendants. In recent years, the market share of amber-inlaid and carved products has been increasing. Most inlaid pieces are produced by commissioned jewelry manufacturers; fewer specialized amber-inlay workshops have been established. This has significantly boosted the business volume of jewelry manufacturers. Previously, some workshops that specialized in jade and colored gemstone inlay quickly adapted to the technical requirements for amber products. Carved pieces come in various sizes. For most established manufacturers, small carved items have become one of their primary lines of business, as certain raw materials can only be used to create such small carvings after removing impurities and flaws. The craftsmanship involved in carving continues to improve steadily. Large amber carvings occupy a relatively small share of the market. As China’s jade and stone carving skills continue to improve, large amber carved ornaments have increasingly appeared in various carving competitions. Due to amber’s low hardness and its inherent waxy luster, it is more challenging to master both the choice of subject matter and the carving techniques involved, placing higher demands on the artisans. There is still considerable room for improvement in large-scale carvings—in terms of design concepts as well as processing techniques. Currently, many carving artisans who previously worked with jade, Shoushan stone, Huanglong jade, and bamboo have begun to carve amber. Some of the techniques and methods originally used in other carving materials are gradually being incorporated into amber carvings, thereby accelerating the pace of improvement in processing technologies across the entire amber industry.

[ Current issues in the amber market ]

Development has been too rapid, and the extensive growth model urgently needs to undergo a transformation.

In recent years, as economic growth has slowed down, the rapid development of the industry has attracted significant attention from investors—both from outside the jewelry sector and from companies operating in other segments within the jewelry industry itself. The influx of capital will undoubtedly boost the industry’s growth, drive improvements in amber processing techniques, and at the same time intensify competition among industry players. Businesses and professionals who have been involved in the amber industry for over a decade—or even longer—have deep emotional ties to it. They are equally concerned about the industry’s sustainable development and corporate profitability, and they cherish both just as much. Meanwhile, some of the newly entering investors are placing greater emphasis on the fact that, compared to other jewelry categories, the amber industry currently offers relatively large profit margins, and they are particularly focused on the relationship between investment and returns.

There are many small workshops.

Because the threshold for amber processing is relatively low, many skilled workers from large factories have started their own businesses. A couple might run a small workshop: what they pick up in the morning could be sold at the market by afternoon. These small workshops are concentrated mainly in Yanchuan, Songgang, Shenzhen, and have spontaneously formed a mini-market. Due to their small-scale nature, these workshops can only cater to small retail businesses looking to source goods—they simply can't meet the demands of larger wholesalers and retailers. However, due to its rapid transaction speeds and the large number of small workshops, this model has a certain disruptive effect on the market. While it is beneficial for entrepreneurs' incomes, it poses constraints on fostering highly competitive, industry-leading processing enterprises and on promoting the long-term development of the industry.

Product homogenization is severe.

Like other jewelry categories, amber products have a relatively limited variety. A single creatively innovative piece can quickly be replicated by competitors in the market within a very short time. And if the craftsmanship is also similar, the only way to stand out becomes price competition.

High-end consumption is restraining industry development.

China’s traditional consumption habits have always been either “nothing at all” or “the very best.” Actually, I personally believe that consumer goods and collectibles are two entirely different concepts. As our living standards continue to rise, we’re increasingly focused on enjoying jewelry and accessories rather than simply owning and passing them down through generations.

Consumers still harbor a preference for foreign brands, and their spending remains irrational.

Most of the raw materials used in China’s amber market come from overseas, and the market prices are relatively advantageous compared to those abroad. But most consumers still have a fondness for products sold at their place of origin, believing that products sold by foreign merchants are simply better. At a jewelry exhibition, the author observed that the same products received little attention when displayed at domestic companies’ booths, but quickly sold out as soon as they were placed on foreign companies’ booths. Moreover, many non-professional visitors traveled to the countries of origin specifically to buy these items. All I can say is, “How can you know that domestic consumption is safer if you don’t go out and experience it firsthand?”

Counterfeit goods undermine consumer confidence.