The jewelry industry in Yunnan Province in southwest China has developed into a key industrial sector with an annual output value of 5 billion yuan or US$60 million . 
 
Yunnan is rich in precious stone resources and is one of the country 's five major jewelry producers. The province is home to more than 600 companies dealing in precious stones, more than 2,500 jewelry enterprises, and more than 3,000 gem-processing plants.
 
(CRI January 5, 2004)