Local demand for diamonds is very high, she noted. "If you ask a Chinese woman what luxury item she wants the most, the number one answer is diamonds. People own diamond jewelry as equity with their weddings," Hudson said.

The Diamond Trading Company, (DTC) anticipates demand for diamonds in China will continue to see double digit growth in the coming years.$$ As per reports, diamond sales grew 13 percent to $1.7 billion in 2006, on the back of an auspicious year for weddings in the country.$$ Christina Hudson, marketing director of DTC Greater China, attributes the increase in diamond demand to China's rapidly growing economy and fast-growing middle class.