A Day For Some Minerals, Part 1.

I woke up this morning and thought about minerals, quartz in particular.  Why quartz?  For one thing, about two out of every three steps we take will be on silicon dioxide, or quartz.  Although quite common, it occurs in many colors and forms.  Quartz sometimes appears in striking crystal formations that have the grandeur of fairy tale kingdoms and palaces.  As for color, quartz runs the gamut–from smoky quartz to sparkling amethyst.  Just a simple change in the chemical formula for quartz will do the trick to turn rose quartz into citrine.  Heat also plays a role as does the interaction of different elements.  And suddenly, the most common mineral becomes an object of wonder.

Towering spires of quartz crystals.

Towering spires of quartz crystals with the blade of a Japanese twin sticking out on the right. 

A magnificent array of majestic quartz crystals

A magnificent array of majestic quartz crystals.

Amethyst arises from impurities of iron and manganese.

Amethyst arises from impurities of iron and manganese.

An impressive array of amethyst crystals.

An impressive cluster of amethyst crystals.

Amethyst in botryoidal form.

Amethyst in botryoidal form.

About Robert M. Weiss
From an early age, I've taken great pleasure in reading. Also, I learned to play my 78 player when I was quite young, and enjoyed listening to musicals and classical music. I remember sitting on the floor, and following the text and pictures of record readers, which were popular in the 1940s and 50s. My favorites were the Bozo and Disney albums. I also enjoyed watching the slow spinning of 16s as they spun out tales of adventure. I have always been attracted by rivers, and I love to sit on a boulder with my feet in the water, gazing into the mysteries of swirling currents. I especially like inner tubing on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. Since my early youth, I've been interested in collecting minerals, which have taught me about the wonderful possibilities in colors and forms. Sometimes I try to imagine what the ancient Greeks must have felt when they began to discover physical laws in nature. I also remember that I had a special passion for numbers, and used to construct them out of stones. After teaching Russian for several years, I became a writer, interviewer, editor, and translator. I continue to delight in form, and am a problem solver at heart.

2 Responses to A Day For Some Minerals, Part 1.

  1. Debra says:

    The amethyst crystals are real showstoppers! I really don’t know that much about minerals so this was interesting to read. What I don’t know I more than make up for in admiration! 🙂

    Like

  2. Thanks, Debra! Minerals can be quite interesting!

    Like

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