Media

For the first time in Hong Kong, private mineral collectors will present their collections together to the public to celebrate the beauty of the natural world and to introduce the fascinating hobby of mineral collecting. The public will have a chance to see over 200 precious minerals collected by local collectors in the largest exhibition of its kind in the territory.

The Stephen Hui Geological Museum of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in collaboration with The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong will present a special exhibition “Mineral Collections in Hong Kong” from 3 March (tomorrow) to 31 August 2017 at the Stephen Hui Geological Museum.

Over 200 precious minerals by Hong Kong mineral collectors will be displayed
This exhibition will showcase over 200 precious minerals from 18 collectors from Hong Kong homes. Highlights are the infinite variety of minerals on display including one of the best gemmy single crystals of Tanzanite from Merelani Mine, a very rare large gem quality Aquamarine on Albite with large fluid inclusions from Balochi, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan and a 18 cm large gemmy Rhodochrosite on Quartz from the famous Sweet Home Mine in Colorado, U.S.A.. The mineral display cabinet of the late Dr Stephen Hui Sze-fun with a selection from his private collection is also included.

Minerals have been admired and collected by man for millennia. They are unique treasures of nature formed throughout our Earth’s geological history by various combinations of fluids, heat and pressure. Each mineral has its own unique characteristics depending on the time, locality, type of process and conditions during their formation. This uniqueness of minerals is expressed in their variable beauty, rarity, colour, origin, size, form, transparency, lustre, association and perfection. These are appealing aspects for mineral collectors.

Each collection reflects the particular mindset of its collector with their own preferences, motivations, personality traits and technical training. The collectors contributing to this Exhibition range from young student collectors to experienced professional collectors, from those who prefer self-collecting in the field and mines to those who enjoy trading and swapping specimens at mineral fairs.

A significant figure in the history of mineral collections in Hong Kong was the late Dr Stephen Hui Sze-fun. As Hong Kong’s first local mining engineer, geologist and mineral enthusiast, Dr Hui collected minerals across the world during the 1950s to 1970s which he showcased to the Hong Kong public in the City Hall during the first mineral exhibition ever held in the territory in May 1976. Those specimens now represent the core of the Stephen Hui Geological Museum’s Earth Material gallery.

Another important milestone in the history of mineral collecting in Hong Kong was the founding of The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong in December 2004. The Society’s activities have since helped to continuously increase the interest in minerals and mineral collecting among the Hong Kong public. This is evidenced by their special publication “Mineral Collections in Hong Kong” commemorating the 10^th anniversary of The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong. Their publication is a snapshot of outstanding private mineral collections that have over the years found homes in Hong Kong amongst a diverse group of amateur and professional mineral collectors of various backgrounds. Many of the minerals to be displayed in the upcoming special exhibition “Mineral Collections in Hong Kong” were illustrated in the above mentioned special publication by The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong. 

Members of the media are cordially invited to the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition and to interview the collectors of the minerals. Details as below:

Opening Ceremony:
Date: Friday, March 3, 2017 (tomorrow)
Time: 7p.m.
Venue: Stephen Hui Geological Museum, James Hsioung Lee Science Building, Main Campus, the University Hong Kong
Officiating guests:
Professor Zong Yongqiang, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, HKU
Mr Dougal Pitt, Chairman of The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong
Dr Petra Bach, Curator of the Stephen Hui Geological Museum, HKU

Details of the Exhibition:
Date: March 3 (tomorrow) to August 31, 2017
Venue:  1/F, Stephen Hui Geological Museum, James Hsioung Lee Science Building, Main Campus, the University of Hong Kong
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays, University and Public Holidays
Free Admission

Special Weekend Openings from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on:
March 18 /19, 2017
April 22/23, 2017 (Earth Day, special program to be announced later)
May 13/14, 2017 (International Museum Day)
June 10/11, 2017
July 15/16, 2017
August 12/13, 2017
Stephen Hui Geological Museum website: http://www.earthsciences.hku.hk/shmuseum/
The Mineralogy Society of Hong Kong website: http://www.minsochk.org/ENG/home.php

General Enquiries:
Tel: (852) 22415472  / Email: shmuseum@hku.hk

Media Enquiries:
HKU Communications and Public Affairs Office Rhea Leung (Tel: 2857 8555/ 9022 7446; Email: rhea.leung@hku.hk)