中国经济样本观察·县域样本篇丨这个北方小城 让钻戒“飞入寻常百姓家”

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the transformation of Zhecheng County in Henan Province, which has become a significant player in the diamond industry, producing over 90% of China's diamond micro-powder and nearly half of the country's cultivated diamonds, making diamond jewelry more accessible to the general public [1][7]. Group 1: Industry Overview - Zhecheng County, once a national-level poverty-stricken area, now boasts an annual production and export of diamond micro-powder that accounts for over 90% of the national total [1]. - The county has achieved a cultivated diamond production of approximately 900,000 carats, which is close to half of the total production in China [7]. - The phrase "the world looks to China for diamonds, and China looks to Henan, while Henan looks to Zhecheng" reflects the consensus among industry insiders regarding Zhecheng's pivotal role in the diamond sector [9]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The concept of "carat freedom" has emerged due to technological advancements in diamond production, allowing for the creation of high-purity diamond raw stones in a significantly shorter time frame compared to natural diamond formation [5]. - The production process involves using a six-sided top press machine to synthesize diamond from graphite blocks under high temperature and pressure, taking only 7 to 15 days [5].