(活力中国调研行)"世界水晶之都"江苏东海：年产水晶产品1.2亿件 中新网连云港9月21日电(记者 邓敏 谷华)"截至2024年底，全县水晶从业人员约30万人，加工企业3500 余家，年产水晶产品1.2亿件，水晶交易额460亿元。"20日，江苏东海水晶产业发展集团有限公司总经 理宋正强介绍东海水晶产业的发展情况。 东海水晶城展柜区。谷华 摄 主播在东海水晶跨境电商交易中心直播。谷华 摄 在东海水晶跨境电商交易中心，十几名主播拿着手机，在各个海外新媒体平台，向海外客户介绍水晶产 品。2024年，东海水晶跨境电商销售额达50亿元。 一种资源就是一张名片，一个产业致富一方百姓。水晶在东海，也是如此。如今，在巴西、乌拉圭等海 外水晶产地，还活跃着1万多名东海"淘晶人"，国内也有不计其数的东海人长期往返20多个省市采购原 石。 江苏东海县水晶储量达30万吨、占全国70%以上。东海水晶开采历史悠久，20世纪后期逐步放开水晶生 产加工经营，一批水晶加工户在当地开始售卖水晶制品，直至建成水晶城，东海水晶进入快速发展阶 段，成为令人瞩目的"世界水晶之都"。 20日，走进东海水晶城，人头攒动，各类水晶商品琳琅满目。在一家名为"小 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the resurgence of the crystal industry in Donghai County, driven by a new wave of interest among young consumers, particularly through the integration of AI and social media platforms, which has transformed crystals into a trendy item associated with emotional healing and personal significance [1][2][4]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The crystal market has seen a significant increase in demand, with over 1 million crystal bracelets sold in the last 30 days, and some bracelets priced similarly to gold [4][11]. - Donghai County holds over 70% of China's crystal reserves, with a total of approximately 300,000 tons, making it a global leader in crystal quality and quantity [9][10]. - In 2024, the total transaction value of crystals in Donghai County is expected to exceed 46 billion yuan, with 450 million pieces exported globally [11]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Young consumers, particularly those aged 18-30, are driving the demand for crystals, viewing them as "spiritual band-aids" to address anxiety and emotional needs [26][28]. - The rise of social media platforms like Xiaohongshu has led to the creation of over 150 myths surrounding the benefits of various crystal types, further fueling consumer interest [7][28]. - The emotional consumption trend is evident, with nearly 30% of young consumers willing to spend on items that provide emotional value [28]. Group 3: Pricing Trends - The price of high-quality crystals, particularly the "super seven" variety, has surged dramatically, with some prices now comparable to gold, indicating a potential profit margin of 2000% [32][33]. - The increase in prices is attributed to both rising demand and the scarcity of high-quality raw materials, as many suppliers are now facing shortages [37][38]. - The market's volatility is highlighted by the rapid price fluctuations and the potential for consumer interest to wane, leading to cautious strategies among local merchants [38][39]. Group 4: Industry Structure - The crystal industry in Donghai is characterized by small-scale, family-run workshops, which may struggle to compete with larger capital investments from outside businesses [42][45]. - The traditional "chicken coop factory" model, where production is decentralized and individual, may hinder the industry's ability to modernize and scale effectively [45][48]. - The long-term sustainability of the crystal industry is questioned, as the depletion of natural resources poses a significant challenge for future growth [51][50].