2016 Dallas Mineral Summit Report (Part 1)

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Dallas Mineral Summit Report (Part 1)

In early 2016, Mr. Zhang Jun, Chairman of FooYoung Mineral Gem Company, was invited to attend the Dallas Mineral Summit hosted by The Arkenstone. As the first representative from China’s mineral community to receive such an invitation, Mr. Zhang Jun undertook the trip with great significance. On August 17, accompanied by Mr. Chen Xiaojun, Head of The Arkenstone’s China operations, he departed from Shanghai and arrived in Dallas, USA, after a 15-hour flight spanning 12,000 kilometers.

The Dallas Mineral Summit is one of the world’s most important educational and academic conferences on mineral collecting. Attendees include internationally renowned museum curators, mining professionals, collectors, and mineral enthusiasts from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. They gather to enjoy world-class mineral displays, authoritative academic exchanges, and cutting-edge insights into the field. This year, the summit achieved a milestone by welcoming Mr. Zhang Jun—symbolizing its growing inclusivity and expanding reach beyond developed nations to embrace mineral enthusiasts from countries like China.

After arriving in Dallas, Mr. Zhang rested briefly before attending a pre-summit dinner hosted by Mr. Robert Lavinsky, President of The Arkenstone, on the evening of August 19 (local time).

Mr. Zhang arrived early at the venue—a meticulously organized, 3,000-square-foot exhibition hall whose quiet grandeur left a deep impression.

As the evening unfolded in quiet mineral appreciation, the dinner officially began at 7 PM. Invited guests arrived eagerly, and the hall gradually transformed from a space of calm contemplation into a vibrant, crowded hub of activity. Attendees from around the world gathered, sipping coffee or wine, engaging in relaxed conversations, and admiring the minerals on display. In that moment, borders, hierarchies, and differences in language or skin color faded away—united by a shared identity: mineral enthusiasts.

← Raising a glass, engaging in conversation →

← Borderless exchange

And where was FooYoung’s Chairman, Mr. Zhang, amid this scene? What insights was he sharing and learning? Let’s take a closer look.

Mr. Zhang interacted warmly with fellow attendees, many of whom expressed strong interest in China’s mineral industry. He enthusiastically shared insights and extended invitations to visit China and FooYoung.

Below are photos of Mr. Zhang with leading international mineral scholars and collectors:

Jeff Swanger

A lifelong resident of Southern California’s gem-mining region, Jeff Swanger founded Oceanview Mines LLC—the only operating underground gem mine in the U.S. today.

Robert Lavinsky

Mr. Zhang with Robert Lavinsky, organizer of the Dallas Mineral Summit, President of The Arkenstone, long-time friend of Mr. Zhang, and key partner of FooYoung.

Dr. Steve Neely

A surgeon from Nashville and an avid mineral collector, Dr. Neely often visits mining sites personally to appreciate raw specimens. He is now one of America’s most recognized mineral collectors.

Dr. Peter Megaw

Former Chairman of the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show and a certified professional geologist, Dr. Megaw has over 27 years of experience in silver and gold exploration in Mexico. He played a key role in discovering multiple mineral deposits and has published extensively on ore deposits.

Bill Larson

Based in San Diego, Bill Larson is Chairman and CEO of Pala International and the Fine Jewelry Collectors. A renowned gem and mineral expert, he has built exceptional mineral collections and contributed world-class specimens to major museums.

Additional group photos are not listed individually.

In the presence of their shared passion, their smiles were as genuine as children’s.

While networking and photos were part of the evening, the true stars of the event were the mineral specimens themselves—each like an earth-born treasure, revealing breathtaking beauty formed over millennia.

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Exquisite minerals displayed in backlit cases

◎Images from Robert’s collection

Close-up views of select minerals

◎Images from Robert’s collection

That’s all for this installment! Want to learn more about the Dallas Mineral Summit? Stay tuned for our next update, where we’ll continue sharing Mr. Zhang’s journey and FooYoung’s experiences abroad.

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2016 Dallas Mineral Summit Report (Part 1)

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2016 Dallas Mineral Summit Report (Part 1)

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