Chenzhou city is famous as “coal base” and “county of non-ferrous metals” of China and was named as“Chinese mineral crystal city” by the State Ministry of Land and Resources in 2010. As a big resource city, how many gems and mineral crystal resources does Chenzhou city have?

Four main gems

In recent years, though no systematic investigation work handled out by Chenzhou city, there are following four main gems available in Chenzhou city based on the primary investigation:
Tongtian jade (also named as Peking silicate) is mainly originated in Tongtian mountain of Linwu county. Its industrial development work was started from 2013.

Tongtian jade which is kind of jade with quartzite quality is divided into three types as jade from mountain, water and mountain & water. White, light red, yellow, cyan, and ink color are available. Its mohs’ hardness is from 6.5-7.0 and it is also with sound polishability and brightness. The density is from 2.65-2.74 which enables it to be fine, bright and crystal clear. Both the two indexes are qualified with national standards of the same kind of jade. According to the primary investigation handled out by Hunan Non-ferrous Geological Exploration Institute, the vein of the jade is north-south directed for 1km long. Its thickness is about 0.5-5meters thick. Its preliminary estimated reserves is about 8.0million tons.

Rainbowstone: it is mainly distributed in Dayoutou village and Zidong village of Maqiao town, Rucheng county with the reserves of 979,000tons. Generally speaking, each rainbow stones is with 3-7 colors and costs 1000-1500yuan/ton. It is a kind of superior material for architectural timber and craft rock drawing. Currently, mining right was authorized to three places by Rucheng government.

Landscape stone (also named as Huanglong jade): it is mainly distributed in Jilong, Sanjiangkou and Reshui of Rucheng county and some towns and counties of south Guiyang county. The landscape stones which are originated from Huotian and Xishui of Guiyang county are most peculiar and graceful. The top quality landscape stone is the treasure for sculpture crafts. Its quality is similar to Huanglong jade originated from Longling of Yunnan province. The reserve of it is not clear at present.

Black stone: its quality is similar to jade. Because of its black color, it is also named as black jade. It is rich in Guiyang, Yizhang, Rucheng, and etc. The yield capacity of Chonglingjiang of north Guiyang county is big. The reserve of Yizhang county is over 6million tons. It is with solid quality, beautiful shape, and sound water washing degree. Once click the peculiar stone, a sonorous sound would occur from it. The big size stones are good for the decoration of gardens, which are compatible to Lingbi stone- one of the four most famous stones of China.

Mineral crystal may come by something with luck but not by searching for it

It was introduced by Wang Chaoyang- member of the Party Group and Deputy Director of Chenzhou Municipal Land and Resource Bureau that the mineral crystal is formed on rising process of hydrothermal fluid of ore magma in specific temperature and pressure. Some mineral crystals such as crystal are simple substance, while some as fluorite are formed with multiminerals. Crystal minerals are formed in specific geological environment without regulars, so it may come by something with luck but not by searching for it. In modern times, because of the explosion and mechanized mining operation, the mineral crystals which was symbiotic with minerals are easier to be destroyed. Because of that, the mineral crystal is even scarce.

After the founding of People’s Republic of China, a unique mineral crystal of the world-hsianghualie was discovered in Xianghualing of Linwu county. Its natural crystal faces are 146. It has a high value of scientific research, collection and ornament. Also because of the few reserve and peculiar shape, the stone is honored as “national treasure” and is named as hsianghualie.

Chenzhou city’s crystal minerals enjoy a high status in the ornamental stone industry of China even the world. It was estimated that the reserves of Chenzhou city’s minable crystal minerals are about 1.32million cubic meters. The main species are fluorite, calcite, crystal, scheelite, wolframite, bournonite, pyrite, stalactite, and etc. The calcite originated from Chenzhou city is with good quality and big size. And also because of the unique variety, the calcite is hot among the stone merchants and collectors. The reserve of fluorite of Chenzhou city covers 83% of the total amount of Hunan province. It is big and transparent. The main colors are white, green, and deep green. Zixing Dongjiang Lake Rare Stone Museum collected over 10,000 kinds of rock decoration stones, fossil specimens, Manaoshan jade, mineral crystals, and etc. Many peerless and precious rare stones of the domestic and overseas are available there.