On August 31, near the Dushanzi Grand Hotel in a residential community, Wang Tiankai was examining a piece of jade.
September’s collecting world is abuzz with a legend: hiking enthusiast Wang Tiankai, while trekking in Manas County, Xinjiang, picked up a 3-ton rock that, after testing and authentication by authoritative institutions, turned out to be a raw jadeite stone. Calculated at the current market price of 1,500 yuan per kilogram for ordinary jadeite, this piece is worth 4.5 million yuan.
Perhaps Wang Tiankai is just an ordinary hiker and rock-collecting enthusiast, but those as lucky as him are few and far between.
In fact, in today’s collecting market, the prices of jadeite and Hetian jade have remained consistently high, deterring many rock collectors. However, those fascinated by nature’s artistry have turned to other types of stones—odd rocks, or naturally formed stones with unusual shapes.
Reporters learned that the value of odd rocks in the collecting market is not low, and it has shown a trend of soaring over time. In Changsha, the community of odd rock collectors is gradually expanding, with more and more enthusiasts joining in.
[Changsha Collector] Wouldn’t sell even at 810,000 yuan
Mr. Wang, who lives in Heping Community, Mapoling, Changsha, is a die-hard odd rock collector. He has collected tens of thousands of rocks gathered from all over the country.
Based on the patterns formed by the rock veins, he has named these rocks individually as “Teletubbies,” a statue of Mao Zedong, watches, candles, party emblems, and more.
Whenever he has free time, Mr. Wang invites a few friends to go rock hunting on riverbanks in the countryside. To date, he has accumulated tens of thousands of rocks at home. His collection is limited to pebbles because, as he says, “Pebbles are easy to find, and they bring more joy in the act of discovery.”
“Someone once offered 810,000 yuan to buy a rock from me that resembled Deng Xiaoping’s portrait, but it’s the ‘guardian treasure’ of my home—I didn’t sell it,” Mr. Wang said.
[Market] Value has been rising year after year
“Odd rocks” can not only serve as decorative items to beautify homes, but their investment and appreciation potential in recent years have also been remarkable.
Recently, a Gobi rock shaped like a “chick hatching from its shell” was appraised by experts at 130 million yuan. It is said the collector bought it from a farmer for just a few dozen yuan over a decade ago. Another Gobi rock, about the size of a palm and resembling an old lady’s face, was appraised at 96 million yuan. When exhibited in Kunming in 2000, it was priced at just over 10,000 yuan.
Luo Sheng in Changsha, who runs a business dealing in stones, said that although the community of odd rock collectors in Changsha is not huge, it is gradually expanding. As more people get into rock collecting, the number of shops dealing in rocks has reached over a hundred. “Because stone resources are dwindling, the prices of odd rocks keep rising.”
“In the past, we picked rocks on riverbanks. Now the good ones on the banks are all gone, so we have to dive into the river to find them,” Luo Sheng said. In 2008, Luo Sheng found a water-worn rock. Because of its striking color, he planned to keep it for himself and estimated its value at 500 yuan. By the first half of this year, a friend of his took a liking to the rock and bought it for 3,000 yuan. In less than four years, the small water-worn rock increased sixfold in value.
In fact, in China’s stone appreciation auction market, the auction prices of odd rock collections have been climbing steadily. In 2011, a “Laoshan Green Stone” priced at 140,000 yuan was sold for 480,000 yuan. In 2012, a “Lingbi Stone” priced at 160,000 yuan was purchased for 238,000 yuan.
[Q&A] Why do odd rocks have collectible and investment value?
“As a natural substance, the value of an odd rock depends on the value orientation of specific groups during certain periods,” explained Tang Ziming, head of China Stone Appreciation Network and deputy secretary-general of the Hunan Jewelry, Jade, Gemstone, and Ornamental Stone Industry Association.
Tang Ziming stated that what makes odd rocks unique is that each one is absolutely one-of-a-kind. They combine naturalness, uniqueness, scarcity, artistry, and irreplaceability—qualities that are very difficult for any other object in the world to possess all at once.
“High-quality odd rocks are non-renewable resources. Limited by their origin and the number in existence, there is an objective risk of depletion, so their value can only rise, not fall. Moreover, appreciating these rocks can be enjoyed repeatedly without wear and tear. Over time, they can even appreciate further and be passed down through generations, sharing their beauty for a thousand years.”
In addition, the premium culture represented by odd rocks reflects to some extent the refined taste, cultivation, and style of collectors, making them favored by many successful individuals and thus driving up their prices.
News Link
Visit the Hunan Boutique Exhibition
Get free art appraisals
On September 21, the Provincial Collectors Association will hold the “Classic Collection of Hunan – Hunan Collectibles Art and Boutique Fine Trade Exhibition” at the 798 Exhibition Hall on Shuguang Road, Changsha. From September 21 to the morning of September 23, the Provincial Collectors Association Cultural Relics Judicial Appraisal Center will offer free appraisal services. Those interested may bring artworks for on-site evaluation.
Beginner’s Guide
China’s Four Great Odd Rocks
“Years”
It is currently in the collection of an Zhao-surnamed collector in Yinchuan. Classified as a Gobi stone, it is about the size of an adult’s fist and strikingly resembles the head of an elderly Western woman. Experts have appraised its value at 100 million RMB.
"Dongpo Meat-Shaped Stone"
Originating from Alxa Left Banner in Inner Mongolia, it is roughly the size of an egg. It was presented to the imperial household during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty and is now housed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
"Chick Coming Out of the Shell"
It is a naturally formed agate stone valued at hundreds of millions, hailed as a national treasure in the world of unusual stones. Experts have appraised its value at 130 million RMB.
"Chinese Divine Eagle"
Measuring 32 cm in height, 18 cm in width, and 15 cm in thickness, weighing 28 jin (approximately 14 kg), it is proportionally the same size as an adult male eagle. It is currently in the collection of Zhang Jiaming, with experts valuing it at 120 million RMB.
Opinions
"Collecting 'unusual stones' has zero barriers—anyone can participate."
"Unusual stones are among the most accessible forms of collecting, with zero entry barriers—anyone can get involved. At the same time, they offer one of the highest economic returns with the lowest risks," Wang, a collector of unusual stones, told reporters. He said that if you want to collect stones, you can go picking them in the mountains or by the water—no capital is required at all.
However, collecting unusual stones should be done within one's means. Avoid becoming overly "obsessed." As long as time and energy permit, one can engage in long-term collection and appreciation.
Tips
How to Choose "Unusual Stones"
Tang Ziming introduced several effective methods for selecting unusual stones for your reference:
1. Look and ask more. View authentic and high-quality pieces; consult experts; compare multiple options.
2. Don’t just think about getting a bargain. In any specialized field, finding a great deal is the job of experts and insiders, not the everyday collector.
3. Learn to observe the patina, outer skin, and fine details of unusual stones—this is also the most essential skill a collector needs to master.