China's largest jewellery manufacturer has revealed that it is planning to further develop its platinum market on the back of a strong performance in the sector.

Sun and Moon Jewellery Group has announced that it intends to increase its sales percentage of diamond and platinum jewellery as the metal has become increasingly popular with the firm's domestic customers in recent years.

Platinum is becoming more popular with consumers in China, as the group also stated that it would be scaling back the percentage of gold items it sells in its bid to boost platinum sales.

According to the Shanghai Daily, the Shaoxing-based private jeweller also stated that it expects its sales to reach 2.5 billion yuan (US$308 million) by the end of 2005, representing a 25 per cent increase on the previous year's sales.

However, it added that profits would be hit by the rising prices for precious metals over the same period.

China has been strongly linked with investing in Zimbabwe's platinum mining, as the current popularity of platinum among Chinese consumers continues to grow.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd