China’s crystal industry shimmers as ‘little luxuries’ curb anxiety, quell economic unease

As Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year – a time steeped in traditions of luck and prosperity – crystals have captured attention for their promise of healing energy and good fortune. Yet, this fascination goes far beyond the festive season, with crystals becoming a source of hope and comfort for many navigating uncertain times.

Irene He, a 23-year-old recent university graduate in Wuhan, Hubei province, said she had never imagined she would turn to crystal bracelets during her job hunt.

“I used to believe that fate was something you had to take control of yourself – you couldn’t just leave it to chance,” He said.

But with her search for work dragging on since September while anxiously waiting to learn whether she had secured her dream job in marketing – a role with only two openings among thousands of applicants – she felt that a little luck could not hurt.

During a trip to Hangzhou in eastern Zhejiang province to pray for good fortune at the Lingyin Temple, she was drawn by the yellow beads of a crystal bracelet at a market stall, whose operator convinced her that the accessory could attract wealth and boost the chance of success in her career.