China Nanjing International Mineral, Gem & Fossil Expo - Dazzling Showcase of Earth's Treasures
We attended the China Nanjing (International) Mineral, Gem, and Fossil Expo this year on May 29th –June 2rd, hereafter referred to as the Nanjing Mineral Show.
Compared to many internationally renowned mineral shows that have been held 40 to 50 times, the Nanjing Mineral Show is only in its second year. Despite this, it has already become one of the most international and largest mineral shows in China and Asia. The organizers made the event very appealing so that even some famous international mineral companies came to attend the event, which made us really impressed.
▲ The second China Nanjing (International) Mineral, Gem, and Fossil Expo covered an area of over 2,000 square meters!
This year's expo, themed "Dazzling Showcase of Earth's Treasures," focused on minerals in the green color. Unlike many other shows that emphasize buying and selling, the Nanjing Mineral Show stood out with its curated exhibits and interactive activities. Highlights included the "King of Pederneira Tourmaline" from Brazil, the massive 400 kg "King of Turquoise," and the largest known mounted dinosaur fossil. The event also featured numerous handicrafts, cultural shops, educational activities, and interactive experiences, making it a captivating experience.
▲ The largest known mounted dinosaur fossil, with the super long neck half the length of its body, truly impressive!
After spending a few days exploring the expo, I noticed that the Nanjing Mineral Show attracts not only mineral enthusiasts but also many locals and tourists. This is quite different from the Chenzhou Mineral Show we visited earlier, which primarily focuses on industry transactions (for further reading: Second Visit to Chenzhou Mineral Show | Unboxing Asia's Largest Mineral Expo | Hunan Mineral, Gem, and Fossil Expo). The location of the Nanjing Mineral Show in a relatively urban area might contribute to its accessibility, making it easier to attend.
If you've traveled to China recently, you'll notice that electronic payments have become the most commonly used payment method locally. The same trend applies at the Nanjing Mineral Show, where transactions mainly rely on WeChat transfers and Alipay. Using cash might even lead to awkward situations where vendors can't provide change. Therefore, I recommend that anyone interested in attending the event should set up relevant electronic payment accounts in advance in order to avoid missing out on desired purchases due to payment issues.
Fine Minerals Highlights
Every time we attend different mineral shows, we always like to share some of the exquisite specimens we’ve seen at the event!
Actually, from the many world-class specimens to the fine specimens we noticed on-site, it's obvious that the Chinese market leans more towards large-scale collections compared to the markets in Europe and America! However, we've also heard from some mineral dealers that there's a growing trend in China towards smaller-scale mineral collections. New collectors are starting with smaller specimens, as large collections require more financial investment and space~
▲ The rhodochrosite specimen is large and has a rich, vibrant red color😍
▲ A massive Pakistani aquamarine 🩵
▲ A super large and fully-shaped tourmaline!
▲ A super rare amethyst crystal with petroleum inclusion!!!💜
The Nanjing Mineral Show, despite being relatively young, has garnered significant support from official entities and various sectors. The event is highly organized and professional, impressing many internationally renowned mineral dealers who have attended. They have praised the show's meticulous planning, the professionalism of the staff, and details such as on-site lectures with simultaneous multilingual translation. This attention to detail reflects the organizers' dedication. With such positive feedback, it's expected that the Nanjing Mineral Show will attract more prominent exhibitors and experts in the future. Let's look forward to next year's event!
(Official website for reference: https://www.finemineral.cn/)
