Executive Summary: Xiamen (Fujian Province) is the global center for the stone trade. While the quarries are often elsewhere (or imported blocks), the processing/cutting happens in Shuitou, 40 minutes from Xiamen. From tombstones to kitchen countertops, this is the hard-surface capital.

Shuitou: The Stone City

Shuitou is a town dedicated entirely to stone. Miles of “Slab Markets” display materials from Brazil, India, Italy, and China.

• Processing: Factories here take raw blocks and “gang saw” them into polished slabs.
• Carving: Specialized workshops do intricate tombstone and monument detailing (a major export to Japan and Europe).

Key Categories: Granite vs. Marble vs. Quartz

• Granite: Traditionally Xiamen’s strength (G603, G654 types). However, many local quarries are closed for environmental reasons. Now they process imported granite.
• Marble: High-end blocks imported from Italy (Carrara) are cut and polished here for export to the US.
• Quartz (Engineered Stone): Massive growth. Xiamen/Fujian factories produce artificial quartz slabs for kitchen islands to bypass US tariffs (though anti-dumping duties now apply to Chinese quartz too).

The Xiamen Stone Fair

Held every March. It is the largest stone exhibition in the world.

• Strategy: The best time to visit factories. Secure hotel bookings 3 months in advance.

Logistics: Weight Limits

Stone is dense.

• 20ft Container: You hit the 27-ton weight limit with the container only 1/3 full.
• A-Frames: Slabs must be packed on wooden A-frames.
• Crates: Tiles typically packed in wooden crates.
• Liability: Breakage during shipping is common. Insurance is mandatory.

FAQ

Q1: Are Chinese quarries still open?

A: Many famous ones (like the original G603) closed. Factories now source “New G603” from other provinces but process it in Xiamen.

Q2: Is Fujian Granite radioactive?

A: Generally, no. But always ask for a test report if importing for residential indoor use.

Q3: What about Quartz tariffs?

A: US Anti-dumping duties on Chinese quartz are huge (>300%). Many Xiamen factories moved quartz production to Vietnam/Malaysia to avoid this.

Key Takeaways

• Visit Shuitou: Don’t just stay in Xiamen island; the factories are in Shuitou/Nan’an.
• Check Origins: Ask “Is this stone from a local quarry or imported block?” It affects price stability.
• Safety Factor: Ensure crates are heavy-duty plywood. Cheap wood crates crush under stone weight.