Stone of the Month: 

February 2026 

“Dream Stone”

By Thomas S. Elias

In Korea, there is a saying: “One Life, One Stone”, meaning that if a person finds a single exceptional stone in his lifetime, he is fortunate. This impressive and unusual stone was found three meters deep in the upper Nanham River in Chungbuk Province, South Korea in May 1978 by three youths. It is 78 cm high, 38 cm in width, has a circumference of 37 cm, a dark chocolate to black color and is exceptionally hard. “Dream Stone’s” form defies most standard classification schemes. To some, it might suggest towering mountains and mystical lakes. In my mind, it is a tree of life, showing branches on each side and generations of civilizations in the upper portion. The evolution of life over millions of years rising upwards - all in one rock.

The present owner of the stone, Mr. Park Youl, heard that this stone might be purchased by a Japanese collector. It took Park several months and many repeated negotiations with the collectors of this stone, before he purchased it in spring 1979. Since then, only a limited number of people have been allowed to view this stone. A connoisseur from Taiwan labelled this stone as “the greatest upright stone in Korea.” The publisher of the Monthly Suseok Journal, Choi In-sik, described it as the “finest stone ever collected in Korea.”

“Dream Stone” is in the private collection of Mr. Park Youl, who has been offered 100 million Won (about $67,750) for this stone. He will not sell it but will donate it to the National Suseok Museum in Korea, if one is ever established.

This extraordinary stone with its water worn, irregular surface, truly fits the Korean belief “One Life, One Stone.” I feel fortunate to have had the privilege of seeing and touching this stone.