Tom,

A week or two ago, I was up at a resin plant site. It was built on the site of quarry, a hollowed out mountain, by an SS company (vertical integration business model). They originally wanted to build it at the SS factory, but I dissuaded them by mentioning every so often these things blow up! KABOOM!

Anyway I asked a question that has been on my mind for years. I see quarried out mountians in China all the time, with just a sliver left. I asked "why dont they just take down the whole thing?"

Well I finally I got an answer. Apparently the little sliver left contains grave sites and the government does not allow the desecration of a grave.

Who knew? BTW I hiked up on some those mountian slivers just to verify it (because I dont believe anything I hear, and only half of what I see), and sure enough there are old graves up there.

If that came from anyone other than you I would have trouble believing it.

That's one I never heard before.

Lenny,

We saw the Chinese stone go up for a short period. The Ming Gold (or sunset gold or G84 I think) went up more than the others. But the price has come back down. For us, I think the lower is a product of the distributors we deal with. There are two large distributors (Best Cheer and MSI). They have kept the price down on the Chinese stuff.

But the demand has increased. These are our "loss leader" stones. In the Atlanta market, you have to have a low entry price point. Most fabricators are now using Chinese Stone for this. We use Bainbrook Brown and Bella White.

Hi Miles,

How are you? I dont think Ive seen you since 09 when I saw you at your booth at the show. Great to hear from you. Thanks for the info. Im kicking it back in the states, but Im quite sure I will be sucked back into commie land soon.

Lenny,

Thanks. Hope you're doing well. I've started importing from Brazil, but I'm looking for opportunities in China! Maybe you can hook me up!

Really, it's good to hear from you and I hope everything's been going well for you.

Hi Miles,

I am doing fine and hope you are the same.There are lots of Granite opportunities in the Xiamen area. I will give you a heads up next time I head over.