BEIJING: Despite being partially sighted, Dong Guirong has not only made a living from spotting precious gemstones in the dusty soil of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, she’s gone on to become a successful agate jewelry maker.
In solidarity with her humble beginnings, the 54-year-old from the region’s Xin Barga Right Banner in Hulunbuir is today plowing her efforts into providing opportunities for local people who may face adversity.
“Gemstones are results of volcanic eruptions, and are like gifts from nature,” she said. “I hope the agate pieces that I’ve designed can help young people with disabilities erupt with inspiration.”
Her efforts to pass down the skills necessary to polish and carve agate gemstones are providing valuable skills to those seeking to earn a living in a similar fashion.
Dong learned to face adversity from an early age.
“My right eye was hurt in an accident when I was 6. My family didn’t have much money for treatment, which meant that from middle school my vision was permanently blurred,” she said.
Years later, Dong and her husband made a living by selling wool and sheepskin, despite her husband being allergic to animal hides. She would occasionally spot rough agate gemstones in the scrub, and over time she developed a bit of a collection. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
