"It is especially beautiful. No matter who you are or what your age is, seeing something so fantastic is truly attractive, " said Jin Huilin, who was attracted by the rich patterns (花纹) when he saw Yuhua stones for the first time.
Nanjing Yuhua stone is a type of water-worn stone mainly found in areas like Nanjing and Yizheng in Jiangsu Province. It is known for its smooth texture (质地), bright colours and rich patterns.
Because Yuhua stones are often got from mines(矿山), dry Yuhua stones look plain and grey, hiding their true quality（质量）. Jin and his friends visited Luhe mining sites in Nanjing, wearing rubber shoes to collect these stones on rainy days. Rain made the stones' detailed patterns clearer. "It's better to carry a bottle of water on dry days to pour on the surface of the stones. Sometimes you can find something surprising, " Jin said.
According to Jin, appreciating(欣赏) stones starts with their outer qualities like texture, colour, and patterns. ① However, "real appreciation of the stones requires cultural knowledge; otherwise, they might seem like just pieces of colour, " said Jin. With cultural knowledge and imagination, people could see different patterns, such as trees, mountains, or flowers. " ② The stones a person chooses as their favourites can show their cultural awareness（意识）, " Jin added.
Watching patterns of stones in the water is not the only way to appreciate stones. Jin also mentioned other ways. ③ He gave some examples. "Some people enjoy holding stones in their hands, appreciating their special textures, or using strong light to discover hidden patterns that are even more beautiful. Others choose to put the stones on the desk, inviting guests to appreciate the stones from different positions, " said Jin. ④
For Jin, stone watching brings joy and something fresh to his life. "Some people like to have lively pets while I prefer stones for their lasting nature, " Jin added.
