The Gem Theatre was opened in 1910. Seating 685 people, it was a cultural center in the town. A fire destroyed it in 1934, but it was rebuilt two years later. It continued to operate for almost 50 years, until it finally closed in 1978. Today, it is in a sad state of disrepair.
While China remains a leading global manufacturing nation, it is also developing its domestic jewelry industry. While challenges like the wealth gap and bureaucratic barriers continue to plague the country's manufacturing sector, the future for the gem and jewelry industry in China is bright. While the current global economic crisis has affected domestic sales, the country's rapidly growing middle class and younger, affluent population represent opportunities for growth.