ABOUT DIANBEI / DB SHELLS

Bringing an ancient craft into modern life.

Design, processing and custom collaboration in luodian lacquerware and shell inlay

Ji Zhengqiang working on a luodian piece in the workshop
2020

Current company established

Incorporated on 23 July 2020
2008

Craft research began

Founder Ji Zhengqiang began systematic luodian research
11

Utility-model patents

Covering our own cutting, grinding, engraving and cylindrical equipment
20+ countries

Export destinations

Worldwide sales; about 20% of output goes overseas

Rooted in tradition.
Made for possibility.

Qingdao Dianbei Shijia (DIANBEI) is based in Jiaozhou, Qingdao. Our founder Ji Zhengqiang began systematic research into luodian (mother-of-pearl inlay) in 2008, and the current company was established in 2020. We offer shell sheets, shell crafts, billiard cue inlay service and raw shell materials, together with pattern customization and OEM processing.

Our vision

Bring the radiance of natural mother-of-pearl into more contemporary products and spaces.

Our approach

Respect natural variation; work to approved samples; never replace project requirements with unverified claims.

Company

Qingdao Dianbei Family Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (USCC 91370281MA3TKXWT9C) is based at Sunjia Industrial Park, Zhangjiatun, Puji Town, Jiaozhou, Qingdao. We work across luodian lacquerware and shell inlay — design, processing, creative product development, heritage programs and custom collaboration.

Brand history

Our founder Ji Zhengqiang began systematic research into the luodian craft in 2008 and built our workshop, followed by years of trade fairs and steady expansion of the craft's boundaries. In 2020 Qingdao Dianbei Shijia was formally established, taking the brand into a new stage.

What we do

Our catalogue covers four lines: shell sheets (66 DB-series models), shell crafts, billiard cue inlay with processing for customer-supplied cues, and raw shell materials. Building on the Ji-style luodian technique, the studio also creates jewelry boxes, screens and lacquer panels, musical instrument decoration, and scholar and lifestyle objects. Our technique applies to flat, curved, spherical, cylindrical and textile substrates.

Craft and heritage

Founder Ji Zhengqiang leads the Ji-style luodian craft. In December 2025 the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism recognized him as a municipal-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage for the "Luodian Technique (Ji-style Luodian Lacquerware)". Our Ji-style Luodian Lacquerware Heritage Workshop entered Qingdao's third batch of heritage workshops in January 2025 and hosts study visits, public classes and university programs year-round.

R&D and qualifications

We obtained the High-and-New-Technology Enterprise certificate on 19 November 2024 (No. GR202437102411) and are registered as a Qingdao technology-based SME (No. 2024370281A0000862). We hold 11 utility-model patents covering our own equipment for shell cutting and flattening, water grinding, slicing, laser cutting, CNC engraving, dust collection and cylindrical processing. Our luodian lacquerware was selected for "Shandong Craft · Top 100" in 2023.

Specifications, performance and delivery terms follow approved samples and project documents.

OUR JOURNEY

Years of exploration, one enduring craft.

  1. 2008

    Craft research and entrepreneurship begin

    Founder Ji Zhengqiang began systematic luodian research and opened the workshop.

  2. 2012

    Regular trade fair participation begins

    We have attended 10+ trade fairs a year since, steadily opening markets at home and abroad.

  3. 2020

    Current legal entity registered

    Qingdao Dianbei Shijia was registered on 23 July 2020 in Puji Town, Jiaozhou.

  4. 2022

    Ji-style luodian listed as county-level heritage

    The Ji-style luodian technique entered Jiaozhou's county-level intangible heritage list.

  5. 2023

    Selected for "Shandong Craft · Top 100"

    Our luodian lacquerware entered "Shandong Craft · Top 100"; exports reached 20+ countries the same year.

  6. 2024

    High-tech enterprise & tech-based SME

    Certified as a High-and-New-Technology Enterprise on 19 Nov 2024 (GR202437102411) and registered as a Qingdao technology-based SME (2024370281A0000862).

  7. 2024

    First China (Shenzhen) ICIF

    Our ICIF debut brought over RMB 100k in on-site purchase intentions.

  8. 2025

    Listed in Qingdao's third batch of heritage workshops

    The Ji-style Luodian Lacquerware Workshop entered Qingdao's third batch of heritage workshops; our case also joined Shandong's heritage-consumption promotion list.

  9. 2025

    Municipal-level inheritor recognition

    The Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism recognized founder Ji Zhengqiang as a sixth-cohort municipal representative inheritor for the luodian technique.

  10. 2026

    Reviving luodian weaving; expanding overseas

    With the Confucius Museum weaving studio we revived "luodian weaving" and developed shell thread; 2025 output neared RMB 15m with ~20% overseas across 20+ countries.

RECOGNITION

Heritage, research & craftsmanship

2024

High-and-New-Technology Enterprise

Issued 19 November 2024.

Certificate: GR202437102411

2024

Technology-based SME registration

Registered in 2024, No. 2024370281A0000862.

Certificate: 2024370281A0000862

2025

Qingdao heritage workshop (third batch)

The Ji-style Luodian Lacquerware Workshop was listed.

View source

2023

"Shandong Craft · Top 100" selection

Selected work: our luodian lacquerware.

2025

Municipal representative inheritor (Ji Zhengqiang)

Formally announced on 16 December 2025 for the Luodian Technique (Ji-style Luodian Lacquerware).

View source

LET’S MAKE SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY

Bring your next idea
to the surface.

Share your material, design or application. We’ll help you explore the possibilities.

Discuss a project