Page 46 - An Overview of Penghu

Mining aragonite (in Menzibian Mountain, Jiangjunao)
Aragonite is a specialty of Penghu. It is a kind of precious mineral exclusive to Italy and
Penghu.

Xijing zaji (or the Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital) has it that
“Hongchengzi of the Han dynasty met a foreigner when he was young, who gave him a piece
of aragonite shaped like an egg. He ate the stone and got enlightened, becoming a famous
scholar of his generation.” From this, we can see that aragonite was discovered more than a
thousand years ago.

The stone was regarded as a jewel by the nobles in the Qing dynasty. The government
once issued an order that only officials have the right to mine the mineral for fear of the
general public gaining access to them. However, as the government became embroiled in
political affairs later, less aragonite was mined, and those who tried their luck from time to
time could only obtain fragments of the stone. Aragonite was thus gradually forgotten by
people.

It was not until 1909 when a Japanese named Shida Utanosuke came across the mineral
on Jiangjunao Isle, Dongji Isle, and coral reef around islands in Wangan Village. Aragonite is
a kind of mineral with carbon content that can be found in basalt. After polishing, the stone
shows patterns with vibrant colors and luster. It is treated as a kind of precious gems because
it can be made into accessories.

Its price has risen sharply recently due to the difficulties of mining it and a drop in its
production. A survey in 1928 showed that the yearly production was worth ¥ 10,000.

32