Du Baojun’s Agate Pebble Collection Hall

Du Baojun’s Agate Pebble Collection Hall

Over seventy-year-old Teacher Du Baojun is known as a “pebble enthusiast.” She has collected more than 500 agate pebbles of diverse colors and patterns, ranging in size from as large as a bowl to as small as a bean, showcasing a world of beauty to people. Her private agate pebble collection hall is open free of charge to local youths year-round, and her story has been included in Shanghai’s newly published Encyclopedia. Teacher Du Baojun’s agate pebble collection has set five “firsts” and four “onlys.”

Agate pebbles are the general term for the pebbles found within the Yuhuatai gravel layer, with a wide variety of types. Here is an introduction based on their mineral composition:

1. Agate-quality agate pebbles: These are crystal-clear, richly colored, and have varied patterns. Also known as “Yuhuatai agate,” they are considered the finest among agate pebbles.

2. Quartz-quality agate pebbles: Formed through the weathering and abrasion of vein quartz, quartzite, and quartz sandstone, these are the most numerous in the gravel layer. Those that are pure, transparent, and crystal-like are called “crystal” agate pebbles.

3. Jasper-quality agate pebbles: Mainly composed of chalcedony, fine-grained quartz, and iron oxide, they come in red, yellow, green, mixed colors, and patterns. The high-quality ones resemble brocaded jasper.

4. Opal-quality agate pebbles: These have a fine, smooth texture and a gentle luster, with soft and highly aesthetic colors. Most opals among agate pebbles are common opals, but there are also precious opals, also known as gem-like “opalites.”

5. Flint-quality agate pebbles: These are black in color and hard in texture. In ancient times, they were used for striking fire and were called “firestones.” They could also leave marks on metal and were therefore referred to as “touchstones.”