"Because of the backwardness of information, a large number of high-quality touchstones have long been used by local farmers as general building materials." On August 21, 10 years ago, the famous stone player of the country, the vice president of the Guangdong Provincial Ornamental Stone Association, Liang Shu The reporter from Nanfang Daily turned into a stone-paved old road in Liuxiping Village, Sanxi Town, Lechang City. While walking, he exclaimed, "Some textures are warm and delicate, and the washing degree is good. If you sell it now, Those stone friends who come to other places can earn a few tens of thousands of dollars if they say less."
The end of this stone road is the upper reaches of the Wujiang River, which is called the Mother River by the Lechang people. From here, a few kilometers back along the river, you can enter the territory of Yizhang County, Hunan Province. According to Chang Shengcai and Zhang Niansheng, who are looking for stone in this area, the same water vein is used as the link. The riverbed and the two banks of about 30 kilometers in Hunan Province and about 50 kilometers in Guangdong Province are the places where the touchstone is rich.
In fact, this black stone has been used as a touchstone by the gold trading industry for hundreds of years, but it has been widely accepted as an ornamental stone and jade raw material for nearly a decade.
Traditional testing tools to identify gold purity
Touchstone, the locals call the ink stone, and some people call it black gold steel. Yizhang Moushi, which is known as the ornamental stone in Hunan, is the same stone species. The main producing areas are Sanxi Town, Pingshi Town, Lechang City, Guangdong Province and Yizhang County, Hunan Province. The industry also said that there were similar inkstones in the relevant sections of Shaoxing Shixing.
The reporter went to the first batch of "China's hometown of ornamental stone" - Lechang before the field investigation, I have seen the peculiar appearance of this ancient stone in the pavilion of some stone friends in the Pearl River Delta, which not only shines black and black, And the texture is hard. According to the geological scientific research department, its hardness can reach about 7 degrees Mohs, which is comparable to the famous jade jadeite. In addition to the black and hard, the skin of this stone is smooth and delicate. The reporter touched a touchstone with a very good water wash and touched it with his hands. It feels a bit like "the baby's skin is tender and smooth" as the industry has said.
In the book "Guangdong Lechang Kistler Appreciation" edited by Liang Shu, there is a special introduction to the touchstone, which is mainly composed of cordierite (40-50%), andalusite (25-30%), and quartz (10-15%). ), carbonaceous (10-15%), biotite (1-2%), sericite (1-2%) and other six components, belonging to andalusite cordierite hornite, granular crystal structure.
Later, the reporter specifically consulted the Guangdong Provincial Geological Bureau, knowing that the formation of such stones is due to the intrusion of magma near the mudstone. Under the influence of the high temperature of the magma, the mudstone generates an endothermic reaction through metamorphic crystallization and recrystallization. The formation of a new mineral composite structure produces a new type of rock. Its structural characteristics are non-directional dispersing of metamorphic minerals. The rock minerals are fine and dense, and are hard rocky metamorphic rocks. Because the rock mass is separated by long-term physical movement, weathering, and natural force destruction, rock masses of different sizes and shapes are formed, and the water flow is transported for a long time. The friction of the quicksand is washed away, and the rough surface and sharpness are removed. The ridgeline becomes a pebble with a smooth surface, vivid image and strange shape.
The time of Yuebei Moshi as an ornamental stone entering people's vision is actually far away. “It’s just a matter of ten years.†Although Liang Shu was fascinated with playing stone in the late 1990s, he really began to pay attention to the kind of stone that was produced locally in Lechang, but it was after 2000. He told reporters that before this, people's understanding of such stones has remained at the traditional touchstone level.
There are thousands of different kinds of stones in the country. Why did the ancients choose the northern Guangdong ink stone as a tool to identify gold? Zhang Niansheng, vice president of the Ornamental Stone Association of Lechang City, has specially conducted research on this issue. According to the introduction, in the Neolithic era, humans have recognized gold, but in the long history of the river, due to the underdeveloped technology, people can only accumulate experience through continuous practice, sum up the excellent contrast method, and determine the purity of gold. . In fact, before knowing the ink stone in Yuebei, some pawnshops and merchants have already understood that using a black smooth stone, gold is painted on the stone, and then compared with the gold sample, the purity of gold is judged according to the color of gold. . However, after repeated comparisons over the long term, everyone agreed that the color and texture of Yuebei Moshi is the most suitable for use as a touchstone. Therefore, it will be used as a traditional gold detection tool. In fact, as a simple and easy method of soil, even in some of today's pawn shops, some people still use the ink stone of northern Guangdong as an auxiliary testing tool.
In nature, the touchstone is classified as a type of rushing stone. According to the general knowledge of the geological and stone-viewing circles, the quality of the downstream stones is generally better than that of the upstream stones. Therefore, Guangdong Lechang, as the main producing area of ​​high-quality touchstone, does not seem to have much objection to some insiders.
Flower wall outside the famous stone wall in northern Guangdong
The Lechang people began to collect the touchstone on a large scale, which was actually after 2002.
“When the function of the touchstone was replaced by modern technology testing instruments, after the gradual withdrawal of Yuebei Moushi as a traditional testing tool from the historical stage, it was no longer frequently seen in the gold commodity trading market and was no longer widely recognized by the industry. Zhu Ruiqin, president of the Lechang City Ornamental Stone Association, admits that in the past 100 years, Lechang natives and Yizhang people living in the upper reaches of the Wujiang River have regarded this ancient touchstone as a general stone, even as an ordinary It is not surprising that construction materials are used in large numbers to build bridges and build houses. Because as a folk soil approach, it has never appeared in history textbooks. In fact, most ordinary people, especially those in poor mountainous areas, whose ancestors are rarely exposed to gold trading, have the only impression that the stone is darker and harder than other stones. It is best to play the foundation.
Until the new century, the ornamental stone market has sprung up and formed in various places, which has led to a large number of wealthy high net worth individuals and cultural people in the mountains to join the stone appreciation team. "Stable temperament, noble and generous" was slowly recognized and excavated by some local stone players.
Liang Shuming is one of the local players who know this type of stone earlier. "As a southerner, everyone generally likes the beautiful, oily and transparent stone. I used to see colorful stones, yellow stone, large fossils, desert paint and other stone species, so at the beginning, this black is not autumn. The stone does not pay much attention to it.†Liang Shuxiao said that the initial involvement in the touchstone was actually due to a hometown complex, and he did not expect it to be quickly recognized by the market.
After more than 10 years, Liang Shuo often went out to participate in various exhibitions and exchanges related to stone appreciation, and frequently recommended this stone from Lechang's hometown to Shiyou.
What surprised them was that the touchstone that was not highly valued in Lechang was favored by a large number of players from other provinces and foreign players.
“Especially Japanese and Koreans, they were the first people to stand up in the market to support the touchstone in northern Guangdong.†Liang Shu recalled that since then, some players in Liaoning, Hunan and Guangdong Pearl River Delta have also been driven by them. Then came the local farmers in Lechang to help them find stones.
For the situation of the fragrance outside the flowering wall in this wall, Zhang Niansheng explained: "In their eyes, the touchstone is pure and solemn and elegant. Black is the most classic color, one of the purest colors, it is emitted. Strong abstraction, beyond any color depth. Black has a noble, steady, technological image, it can be mysterious, can be steady, can be fashionable, is also a eternal fashion color, suitable for many colors In addition, it is the touchstone beauty of the touchstone, which is infinitely harmonious, and is very consistent with modern and international aesthetic concepts. It is especially easy to attract players from some art circles."
Relying on the industry can become bigger and stronger
"From five years ago, more and more people came to Lechang to find this kind of stone." Wen Shengcai, who worked in Pingshi for many years, is a big player in the local area close to the touchstone production area.
He told reporters that there are now a large number of "professional hunters" who are dedicated to helping others find stones for their livelihood. Because most of the players living in the city are not familiar with the river environment in the production area, and the time and energy are limited, it is rare to go down the river. Therefore, whether it is a buyer from a foreign country or a local collector, they generally use middlemen to collect their favorite stones. To a certain extent, many local farmers have found a new way to get rich.
Wen Shengcai sold a stone shaped like a bird to a foreign player, asking for a price of 20,000 yuan. The other party took away without bargaining. Another stone friend around him also sold a piece of "Golden Dragonfly" of more than 200,000 yuan. This was simply not imaginable five years ago. Nowadays, big customers come to their Lechang Ornamental Stone Association Pingshi Office to see the goods.
“In the early days, many of the best quality stones in the local area were taken away by the players in the field. Because their market smell is the most sensitive, the price is higher.†Zhu Ruiqin said to the reporter with regret, after the local players awakened, A lot of quality resources have been consumed. Although the amount of touchstone reserves in Wujiang River is still very rich, it is getting harder and harder to find a stone with a price of over 100,000 yuan.
Although most local players are optimistic about the current resource prospects of the Touchstone, in the eyes of some government officials, it is necessary for Lechang’s petrochemicals to play a greater role in the development of the local economy and drive more mountain farmers to become rich. It must be built into a complete industrial chain integrating collection, processing, sales and exhibitions. Just as a general ornamental stone to play, because the audience is too narrow, can not trigger more fields and higher intensity of resonance in the market, it seems to be a waste for the existing touchstone resources in Guangdong.
In fact, the reporter's investigation found that some foreign developers have already tried to use Lechang's local high-quality touchstone resources to develop diversified market products. Zhou Chunliang from Hunan Yizhang was a foreigner who came to Lechang to do the touchstone business earlier. He used the touchstone to make Maitreya Buddha, big buffalo and landscape ornaments, which made people look fresh, although not as popular as the market, Jade, and Hetian jade Other jade carvings such as Huang Longyu and so on look so dazzling and colorful, but they also have a charm.
“Moyu is called Xuanyu in ancient times, and it has a deep cultural heritage.†In Zhu Ruiqin’s view, black is not necessarily a touchstone disadvantage, but it is likely to become a differentiated competition with other jade raw materials in the market. The advantages.
It is understood that some local collectors in Shaoguan have seen the opportunity of the touchstone in the jade market segment. "Not long ago, they had just adjusted more than a dozen tons of touchstones from Pingshi, and the purpose was to make jade carvings and ornaments." Wen Shengcai told reporters.
"For collectors who are used to natural stones, they may not be able to accept the touchstone into various crafts. But in the long-term interests, only in the jade carving industry facing the mass market, the touchstone of Guangdong will be More buyers know." A person from the Guangdong Provincial Ornamental Stone Association said that only relying on an industry, the economic value and social value of the touchstone can be made even bigger.
â– The stone of the mountain
Other stone species similar to touchstone
Moore Stone
Moore Stone produced the Red River in Guangxi, also known as the whetstone. Its line shape is very similar to the Moore sculpture, hence the name. Most of the colors are monotonous, mainly in blue and gray, but the shape changes are peculiar and difficult to form.
Black pearl stone
Black pearl stone, produced in Hongshui River, Laibin County, Liuzhou, Guangxi. The stone is a siliceous tuff stone with a hardness of 5.5 to 6 degrees, and the stone skin is smooth, black and light, and has a good texture. More common in mountainous landscapes and various pictograms.
Inkstone
Also known as Liuzhou Moshi and Mohu Stone, it was discovered in the late 1960s because it is named after the black body. The stone is a calcium carbonate sedimentary rock having a hardness of about 3 to 4 degrees. Due to the inclusion of asphalt and carbon, it is black and lacquered with white lines.
Other famous stones from Lechang
Lechang blue and white stone
Because of its color resembling ancient blue-and-white porcelain, the name of blue-and-white stone is moderate, dark green, milky white or golden yellow, rich in patterns, some patterns are concave and convex, and the eyes are strong in three-dimensional sense; It is difficult to make fakes and is deeply loved by the majority of stone friends.
The hardness of blue-and-white stone is about 6.5 degrees, the washing degree is very good, the hand feels smooth and the pattern is clear, some of them are embossed, the appearance lines are complete and smooth, the color is bright, the level is clear, and the stone oil is fine and fine. With its unique texture, the blue-and-white stone forms a variety of pictures with the same meaning and harmony. It is fascinating and fascinating.
Lechang crystal wax stone
Crystalline wax is a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz formed by metamorphism. It belongs to silicified rock and granular crystal structure. The main producing area is Langtian Town in the east of Lechang. The characteristics of Lechang crystal wax stone are obvious. The stone veins around the stone body resemble a continuous mountain, like a floating cloud, like a flying wave, and the crystal stone has a golden brilliance.
Lechang color stone
It is actually the milk source color stone produced by Lechang. Because its parent rock is rich in various metal ion lavas, it is gradually cooled under high temperature and high pressure to form mudstone, which is formed by tectonic movement and metamorphism. Silicification occurs in silicification, hardness is 3 to 6 degrees, and some reach 7 degrees. The rock is as moist as jade. This kind of stone has the color and luster of oil painting. If the material is good, it can be polished, and the scenery can be skillfully obtained. The colorful, colorful and dazzling visual art effect has a high ornamental value.
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