The 13th China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo opened on Friday in Chenzhou, Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

 

The 13th China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo opened on Friday in Chenzhou, Hunan province. Approved by China's State Council as the country's only national-level mineral and gem exhibition, it has grown into a globally influential annual spectacle since its permanent relocation to Chenzhou in 2015.

 

Spanning 60,000 square meters, the exhibition features 1,200 international-standard booths across four themed zones: mineral crystals, colored gemstones, fossils and meteorites, and art crafts. Over 70 overseas exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, as well as 530 domestic exhibitors, showcased rare specimens, including the lunar meteorite NWA, Brazil's Uruacu iron meteorite, Argentina's Esquel pallasite, and 100-million-year-old Canadian ammolite.

 

 

The 13th China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo opened on Friday in Chenzhou, Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

 

Chenzhou boasts 116 verified mineral types, holding world-leading reserves of tungsten, bismuth, tin, and fluorite, as well as 70 percent of the global microcrystalline graphite reserves. Hosting the expo since 2015, the city has transformed the event into an international platform, driving industrial upgrades, cultural exchange, and scientific education.

 

 

From industrial mining heritage to artistic mineral displays, the 13th edition continues to innovate with open engagement, professional services, and cross-sector integration, reinforcing its status as an "everlasting" global showcase. The expo runs through May 20, inviting visitors to witness this stellar convergence of Earth's geological marvels.