Zhao's Taishan stone. [Global Times]

A forum on Zhao Guangxing's large collection of Taishan stone was held at the Dafang Hotel?on Jan. 14?in Beijing, with a range of collectors and experts discussed cultural values of Taishan stone as well as its potential in an accelerating art market.

"Taishan stone is of great value in both artistic appreciation and geological study of Mont Taishan," commented Lu Daming, an expert on traditional Chinese culture. "Zhao's large-scale collection is especially valuable and inspiring for all us stone lovers."

Found on Mont Taishan since it was formed some 280 million years, Taishan stone is a hallmark of various stone collections in China. Collecting Taishan stone with exquisite designs has been a tradition among Chinese scholars for thousands of years.

A big fan of Taishan stone, 57-year-old Zhao was interested in collecting Taishan stone since he was 20-odd years old, and over the past three decades has managed to more than 1,000 pieces of Taishan stones.

He had travelled over the Mount Taishan many times in his spare time, and collected beautiful stones formed naturally in the shapes of landscapes or figures.

Among a range of precious stones being hotly pursued at stone markets, Taishan is not the most expensive item, but its cultural connotations are much deeper than others, because of the importance that Mont Taishan has in Chinese history.

From ancient times, Taishan stone was regarded as lucky, bringing protection for people who own it.