Changle, Shandong Province, China

Mining for blue sapphires in Changle was an interesting story. According to Zhao Shi Jun, director of the Changle China Gem City Development and Construction Administration Committee, about 70 percent of the gemstones mined in Changle are send to Thailand for processing. Obviously they would be heat-treated (with mixed results) to make it more saleable. Who knows, there will be more surprises for the colored stone industry from China in the coming years.