As anyone who knows me will readily tell you, I am a sucker for a good sparkly! I'm very distractable by shiny objects, it must be admitted.
Recently I learned that one of the current scientific theories on how life actually began on this planet was that the molecules that would create the cells necessary for organic life were grown on the backs of crystals. While it's not a theory I personally subscribe to, I found it somewhat amusing to think of myself as deriving from a precious gemstone. 😄
Recently, I visited the natural history museum on the University of Utah campus. There is a whole section featuring crystals and minerals.
One of my favorites was the druzy quartz -- the sheer amount of texture in the sugary crystal clusters, and the subtle but enchanting pastel colors, had me uttering several "oos" and "ahs."
I learned there is such a thing as watermelon tourmaline. A crystal of both deep emerald green and rich pink.
Speaking of green, torbernite has a stunningly deep green tone.
And this piece of vascite had patterns of green lines mixed in with other colors.
Various samples of smithsonite had differing colors, one was pink and one was blue. I think I prefer the pink, but the shapes in the blue one were also fascinating. Tell me that doesn't look like an alien egg or something! LOL
And of course, I cannot resist purple, so their amethyst crystals were great fun to see.
Do you have a favorite stone?