"Auspicious Vibes from the East Blesses the Stone City"—After a year's hiatus, the 2025 China Nanjing (International) Mineral, Gemstone & Fossil Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "Nanjing Mineral Expo") officially opens on
If rocks are the rings of Earth's history, then the Nanjing Mineral Expo is the key to deciphering this natural epic.
From its remarkable debut in 2023 to its continued glory in 2024, the Nanjing Mineral Expo has used "stone" as a medium to bridge science and culture, East and West, establishing itself as a "golden calling card" of China's geological heritage.
This year's expo, co-hosted by the Viewstone Association of China(VSAC), Nanjing University, and Jiangsu Cable Network, sets sail once more under the theme "Minerals Shine in Jinling, Auspicious Vibes from the East"—letting the world hear the resounding voice of Nanjing's mineral wonders!
"Earth-Shattering Stones"
A Dazzling "Crystal" Rendezvous
"One Stone, One Universe; One City, One Cosmos."
When the historical grandeur of Nanjing—"the Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties"—converges with the natural splendor of minerals, gems, and fossils, the "City of Stone" and this "Mineral Extravaganza" resonate in perfect harmony. This is where the Nanjing Mineral Expo reveals its true magic: Use Stones as a medium, bridging humanity and nature and use exhibitions as a bridge, connecting civilizations across the world.
On site, former Vice Minister of Land and Resources and founding President of VSAC, Shou Jiahua, unveiled the distinctive features of this year's Nanjing Mineral Expo, eloquently illustrating the resonance between "Stone" and "Time".
Nanjing, long celebrated as the "Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties" and the "City of Stone", serves as a crossroads where the Yangtze River civilization converges with geological wonders, and the economic dynamism of the Yangtze River Delta meets profound academic heritage.
Over the next five days, this globally inspired, culturally diverse mineral extravaganza will: Unlock new opportunities for industrial advancement, Pioneer innovative pathways for science education, Build a vibrant stage for cross-cultural dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations!
From geological hammers to microscopes, from lecture halls to exhibition booths, faculty and students of Nanjing University are bringing the wonders of mineral science into the public realm with groundbreaking exploration.
Suo Wenbin, Standing Committee Member of Nanjing University's Party Committee and Vice President, emphasized that this year's Nanjing Mineral Expo is not merely a visual feast of minerals, gems, and fossils, but also a significant milestone in introducing China's mining culture to the world.
"Nanjing University is committed to driving high-quality development in the global mining sector, showcasing China's wisdom and responsibility in international resource dialogues, and making even greater contributions to this endeavor!"
Brian Lees, founder and president of The Collector's Edge Minerals in the U.S., shared his perspective on "Minerals Without Borders" at the event. Having witnessed the growth of the Nanjing Mineral Expo over the years, he marveled at how it has emerged as a rising star in China and global mineral and fossil community, ascending to one of the world’s top five mineral exhibitions in just three years.
"The scale of Nanjing Mineral Expo helps people recognize the value of Earth’s natural treasures," he noted. "More importantly, it deepens public understanding of protecting our planet’s environment and preserving its legacy for future generations."
2025 marks both the continuation of the Nanjing Mineral Expo’s Spirit and the 10th anniversary of Jiangsu Cable Network’s listing. From television screens to the metaverse exhibition hall, when minerals meet 5G, Zhuang Chuanwei, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Jiangsu Cable Network, vividly unveiled the story behind "awakening stone’s memory through digital technology."
In his address, he warmly invited attendees to: Experience Earth’s pulse at the 2025 Nanjing Mineral Expo’s exhibition hall, Log in to Jiangsu Cable’s "Cloud Treasures" multi-screen platform to feel the rhythm of technological innovation. Moreover, The expo’s permanent branch venue will be established at Jiangsu Cable’s Eastern Digital Intelligence Port (No. 101, Yunlianghe West Road, Nanjing)—where visitors can embark on a "crystalline journey" across billions of years and connect with global wisdom!
"Minerals" Full of Charm
Embark on a "Stone" Journey
Minerals are not only witnesses to Earth's evolution but also bridges connecting science and art, China and the world. When the "Chinese Empress" rhodochrosite dazzled the globe, and when the "King of Pederneira" tourmaline earned a Guinness record, minerals have transcended mere collectibles to become a universal artistic language across the world.
This year's Nanjing Mineral Expo gathered over 100 international exhibitors from more than 50 countries and regions, with overseas participants accounting for over 20% of the total. The event featured more than 500 exhibitors, covering an exhibition area of 40,000 square meters with 800 international standard booths. The expo was divided into eight major display zones, including the International Mineral Zone, Jewelry Zone, Fossil Zone, and Meteorite Zone.
With purple minerals as core element, this year's Nanjing Mineral Expo has created a grand hall of mineral wonders—from dazzling gemstones to ancient fossils, from mysterious meteorites to rare crystal specimens, each bearing witness to Earth's countless epochs of transformation while showcasing nature's most magnificent gifts.
Step into the core exhibition area, and you'll encounter the Crown Jewel of the show—the Amethyst "Noah’s Ark"—embarking you on a journey through Earth's mysteries. This "Purple Ark", bearing 134 million years of geological secrets, was unearthed from Artigas, Uruguay.
What makes it extraordinary goes beyond its massive size, Its delicate structure and artistically sculpted form—the specimen curves gracefully like a majestic purple vessel, with both ends naturally upturned; Its surface blanketed in amethyst druses, refracting a profound midnight-purple luster. A true masterpiece of nature and time, where geology meets artistry.
Discovered in 2018 from vast ore deposits in Artigas' mines, this remarkable specimen makes its world debut at the Nanjing Mineral Expo, unveiling Earth's hundred-million-year mysteries to the public.
During the exhibition, visitors can: Witness the "Treasure Ship" in breathtaking detail up close; Immerse themselves in the "Purple Nebula of the Earth" special exhibition zone, experiencing the ancient Eastern cosmological concept of "Auspicious Vibes from the East" —where celestial energy meets terrestrial wonder.
In the Meteorite Special Exhibition Zone, embark on an interstellar "excursion" across time and space—where starry depths meet cosmic epics.
From the vast Gobi Desert of Altay, Xinjiang, emerges a colossal iron meteorite, weighing over 10 tons and resting silently for millennia. This celestial giant has bore witness to the world’s longest meteorite strewn field (430 km) it Serves as the universe’s "wordless scripture", etched by cosmic forces, now making its awe-inspiring debut, you can touch its interstellar scars with your own hands and experience the poetic wonder of "plucking stars from the sky" through tactile connection with the cosmos.
This is both a temple of cosmic wonders and a pinnacle of meteorite collection value. Over 50 rare meteorite auction pieces are unveiled in advance, offering collectors and enthusiasts an exclusive preview—creating a two-way convergence of science and collecting.
At the "Stone Odyssey" Earth Treasure Exchange, nearly 100 collectibles gather under one roof, including Rare mineral specimens, Creative jewelry, Ornamental stones & art pieces. Each blending investment value with aesthetic allure to deliver an immersive mineral-art trading experience. The event builds a "zero-distance" exchange platform, anchored in three core principles: openness, diversity, and fun.
A highlight of the event is the "Zero-Yuan Lucky Find" interactive session, there will be expert appraisers provide on-site authentication, newcomers and veteran collectors can disembark on a "treasure hunt" side by side—
ensuring every natural masterpiece’s journey is filled with surprise and trust.
The Science Popularization Zone presents ten interactive sections designed to engage visitors in hands-on learning experiences including "Fossil Hunter & Trilobite Exhibition" featuring simulated fossil excavation, "Treasure Hunting in Sands & Rock Exhibition" recreating river placer mining environments and "Meteorite Hunter & Meteorite Exhibition" offering an immersive desert exploration experience. Additional highlights include specialized Permian fossil digging from Jiande's Lijia Town, Rain Flower Stone exploration, and "Authentic vs. Fake Minerals" identification activities. Visitors can observe the microscopic world of placer deposits through microphotography displays, interact with live insects and reptiles in the Natural History Classroom, or participate in creative workshops to make mineral pigment paintings and crystal bracelets at the Gem Workshop, all while discovering the fascinating intersection of science and art.
"Embracing Wisdom, Exploring the Future Within Minerals"
Humanity continues to enhance its ability to understand nature, reshape it, and forge new civilizations—progressing from one stage of civilization to the next. Across the shifting tides of time, minerals, with their inherent stability, have preserved the defining moments of human civilization. These remarkable instants are not only etched into natural ores but also safeguarded within museums—"time capsules" that transcend eras.
Every artifact shows condensed culture; every bit of work gives a glimpse of civilization. Museums stand as vital guardians of humanity's legacy: they are not merely preservers and recorders of our natural and cultural history but also bridges linking the past, present, and future.
As the International Museum Day apporaches on May 18th, based on the success of two previous editions of the International Museum Culture Development Forum, the latest conference will convene on May 15th afternoon. This year's "Exhibition-Forum Synergy" creates a unique mineral expo ripple effect, designed to Strengthen academic cross-pollination, Reinterpret nature-culture narratives, Activate museum collections dynamically and Solidify cultural confidence
With the theme "Promoting Cross-disciplinary Integration and Advancing Cultural Exchange," this year's conference brings together industry scholars and museum experts in Jinling (Nanjing) for in-depth discussions on key topics including "Nature and Culture," "Mineral Restoration and Heritage Preservation," and "Leveraging Museum Resources to Promote the Spirit of Science." The event will showcase cutting-edge academic achievements and unique insights to collectively chart the future of museums—not only broadening the international perspectives of domestic museum professionals but also enabling the public to appreciate the wonders and value of science, thereby injecting new momentum into Nanjing's vision of becoming an "International City of Museums."
While AI technology reshapes societal structures, museums and science education institutions are undergoing profound transformations marked by digitalization, interactivity, and cross-disciplinary integration. Responding to the 2025 International Museum Day theme "The Future of Museums in a Rapidly Changing Society," the groundbreaking symposium "Minerals Shaping Tomorrow: Cross-Border Museum Cultural Exchange in the AI Era" calls for innovative approaches to address dual challenges of technological evolution and societal demands. Through academic dialogues and case studies, it pioneers a three-dimensional "Tech+Culture+Education" ecosystem, focusing on digital integration with cultural heritage, AI-powered preservation methodologies, and technological revitalization of museum experiences - ultimately injecting robust technological DNA into cultural dissemination.
Nanjing Mineral Expo, as China's most influential science popularization event in minerals and geology, has always been committed to creating innovative highlights and distinctive activities that integrate multiple functions such as "exhibition and trading, academic exchange, and popular science education." The series of science popularization lectures at this year's expo focus on cutting-edge geoscience topics, inviting top scholars to deliver engaging speeches. With hardcore and fun knowledge, these lectures aim to ignite public enthusiasm for science, help enhance scientific literacy, and give wings to curiosity!
Every mineral is a love letter from Earth to humanity, and every innovation is civilization’s response to the future. This year’s Nanjing Mineral Expo takes "One Exhibition, One Summit—Mutual Learning Among Civilizations" as its guiding theme, weaving together a global spectacle that blends academia, art, science popularization and trade.
Today, Nanjing builds bridges of openness through the language of stones, and reflects the light of high-quality development through the prism of minerals. This grand event, graced by the eastern purple aura, offers not just a fleeting glimpse into Earth’s 4.6-billion-year geological epic, but also a fresh starting point for dialogue between modern Chinese civilization and the world!