(FUQI - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the Chinese jewelry company reported a third-quarter profit this morning that easily topped analysts' estimates. However, FUQI forecast fourth-quarter EPS of 55 to 60 cents and revenue of $182 to $191 million, compared to analysts' forecasts of 58 cents and $184 million, respectively. Revenues for Q3 about 2% below estimates, which is not a great sign. At this point in the economic cycle, traders are looking for optimistic indicators rather than weak or in-line ones. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on FUQI.

This morning, FUQI opened at $24.90. So far today the stock has hit a high of $25.74 and a low of $21.62. As of 12:00, FUQI is trading at $21.23, down $2.10 (-9.0%). The chart for FUQI looks bearish.

Fuqi International (NASDAQ: FUQI) designs, develops and sells precious metal jewelry in the People's Republic of China. It offers rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and pendants made from such precious metals as platinum, gold, palladium and karat gold. The company also manufactures jewelry with diamonds and other precious stone inlays, as well as gold coins and gold bars. Fuqi International was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Shenzhen.

The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 25 cents and revenues of $66.9 million. The Street had been looking for 20 cents and $62.8 million. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 26-27 cents (21 cent Street), Q3 revenues to $75-$77 million ($70.6M Street), FY08 EPS to $1.07-$1.09 ($1.08 Street) and FY08 revenues to $325-$333 million ($314.2M Street).

As wealth surges in China, there's also been a spike in luxury spending. For example, the country's jewelry industry was $14 billion in 2005 and is expected to be the largest – in the world – in about two years.

Riding the wave is Fuqi International (NASDAQ: FUQO -- quote not available on AOL yet), one of the top jewelry makers in China. In fact, the company has gone public today, with the stock rising 16% to $10.47 (this is after the stock priced at the high end of its $7-$9 range).

The company has an extensive set of luxury products, which count more than 20,000. What's more, Fuqi has a vertically integration operation, which includes development, sales, marketing, order fulfillment and delivery.

No doubt, it's a high margin business. In fact, Fuqi marks up its products by over 40% on average.

So far, the growth has been particularly strong. From 2002 to 2006, revenues increased an average of 57% per annum (to $92.4 million).

With the proceeds from its public offering, Fuqi will have the resources to continue ramping growth. For example, the company plans to have eight to ten retail stores by next year.

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Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements.