(1) Specimen aesthetics: with crystals without surrounding rock.

Some collectors in the U.S. like to collect mineral single crystals, which are crystals that do not have a trace of rock or other mineral combinations with them.

In Germany, these accompanying rocks are called mother rocks (Muttergestein), a term we sometimes use to describe the minerals in our collection.

Often, the surrounding rock is valuable.

If a mineral crystal does not have surrounding rock, but shows excellent symmetry, a textbook ideal crystal shape, and there is no damage, especially if the scars are not visible when it breaks away from the surrounding rock, then the mineral crystal will be highly respected.

In this way, the mineral crystals that are completely independent and do not have any relationship with the surrounding rock are called "rootless".

(2) Specimen aesthetics: crystal clusters

Several or a large number of the same crystals grow on a specimen at the same time, which we call clusters.

If one or two crystals are much larger than the size of other specimens, and the growth is prominent, then the crystal cluster naturally forms a "visual focus" and becomes a crystal cluster boutique, which we call "crystal protrusion beauty".

(3) Specimen aesthetics: external modeling.

When a specimen has a single crystal or a combination of multiple crystals, we are concerned about the distribution of these crystals with the surrounding rock or crystals.

Ideally, the crystals or clusters of the specimen should occupy more than half of the entire specimen area for the layout to appear balanced.

Of course, the color distribution between the crystal and the surrounding rock or crystal is also important.

The color scheme of the specimen must be harmonious, with the main crystals of bright colors at the top of the specimen and the secondary crystals distributed around them preferably in a layout.

Therefore, it is acceptable to make appropriate shear modifications to the surrounding rock of mineral specimens, but the modified shape should be natural and not abrupt to achieve the best aesthetic effect.

7. Integrity of the specimen

Experienced Western collectors generally do not tolerate any visible damage to crystals, especially on smooth crystal surfaces or edges.

"Damage" here refers to visible scars, abrasions, fissures, cross-sections, or cleavage planes on the crystal surface, and it also includes unsightly cross-sections on the surrounding rock.

It is unacceptable to repair broken crystals with adhesives, to cover up broken crystals with mechanical polishing, or to fill cracks in crystals with other substances (unless this fact has been explicitly communicated by the seller prior to the transaction).

Proper restoration of damaged specimens is permitted, but must not be excessively retouched, and the fact of restoration must be communicated to the buyer.

"It would be nice to have our Chinese standards when there is. ”

Jiulong listened so much before he realized that whether this ore crystal was worth anything or not, or the Westerners had the final say, it was really depressing.

"I also want China to have its own standards, because China has a vast land and resources, and has continuously introduced newly discovered minerals over the years, which has provided a lot of various specimens for the international mineral specimen collection market, especially high-quality exquisite minerals.

"Due to the differences between Chinese and Western cultures, there will be some differences in the quality standards for judging mineral specimens.

"I hope that through the joint efforts of the vast number of mineral lovers in the country, more people will appreciate the value and significance of mineral collections, so as to encourage more people to join the ranks of protecting and sharing the treasures of natural art. ”

Lao Zou was also emotional.

"Lao Zou, who are you going to take a culture class with? I've been looking for you for a long time, I have a big meteorite here, come and help me identify it." ”

A voice came from afar. This is a lean man, about fifty years old, holding an iron lump in his hand, which looks very heavy, and when he comes to Lao Zou, he hurriedly puts it on the ground and shows it.

Lao Zou hurriedly introduced to Jiulong: "This is also your fellow Fujian countryman, from Zhangzhou, surnamed He, named Gang, who is obsessed with meteorites and often runs to the Gobi Desert." ”

Why don't you have any impression of yourself from Zhangzhou?

The other party took the initiative to shake his hand: "I often run outside, it's not strange that you don't know me, how about it, young man, do you want to go with me to pick up meteorites? ”

Kowloon hurriedly introduced himself and handed over his business card: "Is this meteorite valuable?"

Jiulong's response almost made He Gang laugh out loud: "Okay, the price should be judged by grams, do you say it's worth it?"

He Gang said as he handed over his business card.

"Wow, that's great, there's a chance to mess around with you. ”

Kowloon said half-jokingly, half-seriously.

"Okay, fellows are welcome to join the wilderness team at any time. ”

He Gang welcomed and told Kowloon that every meteorite encountered now is a glance of 100 million years, once touched it is 4.6 billion years of time, once the meteorite falls on the earth is very precious, it records the development of the universe, the meteorite I brought today comes from a special metal in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter- Iron meteorite, in the process of hunting in the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang, I found this iron meteorite, it is very strange, unlike some other meteorites on our earth that fall normally, iron meteorite it will rust, but it will not rust, in all meteorites, it only accounts for 0.3 percent, the characteristics are also very obvious, especially the extreme high temperature combustion in space, it produces air marks, dissolution lines, and the dissolution shell is very beautiful.

"He Gang, you have picked up the treasure again, congratulations. ”

Lao Zou also extended his thumb to congratulate.

Kowloon saw that they had something to discuss, so he and Lai left under the pretext of an excuse.

Mr. Lai asked Jiulong if he wanted to continue to watch the Mineral Crystal Exhibition? Jiulong suddenly understood that Mr. Lai's heart had already flown to Kunshan, so he said that his trip had achieved its goal, and the next time would be handed over to Mr. Lai.

Mr. Lai did not leave immediately, he confirmed that Mr. Wu Qinmin did not come to the mineral crystal and fossil exhibition venue, and then left for Kunshan.

Kunshan, the county-level city with the strongest economic strength in Chinese mainland, has been rated as the top 100 counties in the country for many years.

Kunshan, located in the southeast of Jiangsu, between Shanghai and Suzhou;

It is connected to Changshu and Taicang in the northeast to the northeast, Jiading and Qingpu districts in Shanghai in the east, Suzhou Industrial Park and Wuzhong District in the west, and Zhouzhuang, an ancient water town in the south, is connected to Zhejiang.

It is the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, the "ancestor of a hundred operas", the strongest county-level city in Chinese mainland with the strongest economic strength, and has been rated as the top 100 counties in the country for many years.

The two of them took a bullet train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Kunshan South in less than 20 minutes, and soon arrived at Mr. Wu Qinmin's house according to the contact information given by President Xu.

Mr. Wu is already 67 years old, but he is in good spirits, with a lean oval face and a kind gaze, which makes people feel very comfortable.

Mr. Lai took out the Kunshi that was about 60 centimeters high, and Mr. Wu was very curious and carefully observed it with a magnifying glass.