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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Quartz Crystal

Click on photo for larger size

A quartz crystal begins with a seed of one silicon atom and two oxygen atoms. With the right amount of heat and pressure this seed starts to grow by replicating itself in a network structure, known as a crystal lattice. Over time a piece of pure transparent quartz crystal is formed. In its natural state the crystal is angular in shape, always with six sides, tapering at the end to a point or termination. The tapered sides are known as facets or faces. One of these facets or faces will be larger than the others and is referred to as the main facet or face.

I took this photo at Peterson's Rock Garden this last summer with the grandkids.

14 comments:

duopastorale said...

Very impressive. Happy new year.
Quick Snap
This I Do...

Rune Eide said...

Always something of interest on your pages! Ceramics can be very entertaining - and beautiful.

A Happy Blogging New Year to You!

quintarantino said...

Huge... and lovely.
Wishing you and all your loved ones a Happy New Year.

Ash said...

Happy New Year!!! Have a wonderful 2008 :-)

Michele said...

Nice post. The rose quartz is so pretty as well with that nice tinge of pink. It would be nice to go to the Rock Garden for a tour... sounds like fun.
Rocky Mountain Retreat

Donna said...

Got your comment so thought I'd travel over and check it out! You're a Traveler!!! We have a fifth wheel and love to take it out when we get a chance. Took it to Big Bend and loved it there. SO, Happy New Year sweetie and I'll be sure to be back! I'm adding you to my blogroll so I won't miss any of your adventures!!

FO - 2 said...

Wishing you a HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

GMG said...

Lovely log!
Thanks for your visit and comment to Blogtrotter
Wish you a very happy, healthy and successful 2008!

dot said...

Interesting post Lilli. Hope you have a great new year!

imac said...

Very nice post to end the year with.

Wishing you and all your family a very happy new year.

AVCr8teur said...

Happy New Year's to you and your family! Looking forward to reading your blog posts in 2008.

Paulie said...

My dad was a rockhound and cut rocks with a diamond saw also. I loved growing up and going rock hunting so this post was very interesting to me.

Happy New Year!

Dick said...

Wow, interesting, I like your todays skywatch too.

Max-e said...

That is a fine speciman of a quartz crystal