◎ Chief Reporter Wang Qiongjie

　　The 2022 China (Nanjing) International Mineral, Gemstone, and Fossil Expo will be held from November 30 to December 4 at the Nanjing International Exhibition Center. This expo is themed “Bringing Together Global Mineral, Gemstone, and Fossil Resources, Building an International Professional Trade Show Brand, Pooling World Natural Heritage, and Promoting Sustainable Industry Development.”

　　This exhibition is themed around red minerals and is curated according to the criteria of "high-end quality, abundant rare specimens, and wide-ranging influence." While highlighting Nanjing's splendid image as the "City of Stones" and its profound geological and cultural heritage, the exhibition also emphasizes its international character. Several renowned international mineral companies, including American Fashion Minerals Co., Ltd. and Akensheng Tong Co., Ltd., will be attending the event. Hundreds of top-tier international mineral specimens and fossil treasures will be on display, including the "Queen of China" rhodochrosite and a massive turquoise weighing 373 kilograms.

　　It is understood that this exhibition features a total of 300 internationally standardized booths and 30 custom-designed booths, with an exhibition area reaching 20,000 square meters. The exhibition is divided into nine major thematic zones: mineral crystals, fossils, meteorites, ornamental stones, natural gemstones, jade, jewelry and accessories, cultural and creative products, and science popularization activities. Special areas have also been set up, including a mineral exhibition showcasing countries along the Belt and Road, an International Boutique Pavilion, a Science Popularization Activity Zone, and a Cultural & Creative Product Market Zone. The exhibition aims to be internationalized, high-quality, creative, efficient, impactful, and sustainable, striving to establish the Nanjing Mineral, Gemstone, and Fossil Exhibition as an internationally recognized brand and accelerating Nanjing’s progress toward becoming an international exchange hub city.

　　During this exhibition, six major thematic events will be held concurrently: an opening ceremony, a high-level forum on innovative development of museums, an exhibition of minerals from countries along the Belt and Road, a mineral and gemstone auction, a science popularization activity week, and a business networking gala dinner. In collaboration with nearby geological mines, science education institutions, universities, primary and secondary schools, and parent-child organizations, more than 10 on-site activities will be jointly organized. Among these, the 4th Museum Innovation and Development Summit Forum—co-hosted by the China Ornamental Stone Association and the Nanjing Museum—will focus on the theme of “Reform, Innovation, Openness, and Sharing.” The forum will explore how to further invigorate museums in the face of the future, promote cross-sectoral integration, encourage diverse artistic expressions, advance digitalization, and create new cultural experiences and dissemination models. This event aims to highlight the immense potential and powerful influence of museums in shaping the world we live in.

　　It is reported that this exhibition is jointly organized by the China Ornamental Stone Association, Nanjing University, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing).