minerals: the most interesting thing in nature
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>>7682057
your thread: the least interesting thing in nature
this is one of the finest north american tourmalines ever recovered
i don't understand why people find minerals so fascinating, or proscribe other worldy traits to them as if they were special. They are a reoccurring jigsaw puzzle, where by statistical mechanistics jigs new blocks into the puzzle.
Any single protein is much more interesting to me personally but thats my background.
who cares about these rocks
>>7682087
the study of minerals and their crystal structures has led to advances in materials sciences and are the foundation of our world today. anything that is not grown organically is mineral in origin in some way or another, and they make up everything from our homes to our cell phones. not to mention they are utterly unique masterpieces of natural artwork.
>>7682089
well if you contemplate the fact that any of the pieces here is worth a small (or large in some cases) fortune, perhaps you would care
the image above is a cut and polished stone. this specimen is natural
>>7682096
they are pretty but x-ray difraction has allowed for those 'advances' they aren't inherent to the structure of the minerals, although as you said there are many uses for them. Its like saying the invention of glass is due to its similarities and its contrasting attributes are due to minerals.
>>7682317
Color in fluorite is often due to chemical impurities (Fe imparts purple coloration), natural exposure to radiation (such as K40), or color centers, which are natural defects in the crystal lattice filled by unpaired electrons. In this case, I'm not sure which it is, or if there could even be another cause, such as colloidal calcium.
>>7682057
... aaand every Biologist ever to live disagrees.
>>7682107
isnt it ironic that it was minerals which opened the door into and for xray diffraction, and it was xray diffraction which first allowed protein biomechanics to be systematically quantized.
>>7682923
sure, biology is interesting, but is it as interesting as a well-crystallized, colorful, geometric marvel of natural origin? not to mention that it's totally unique, never to be duplicated
>>7682057
Hemimorphite?
>>7682064
Goddamn..
>>7682936
This. Mineralogy is where its at biofag
and steven
Where was this exhibit op
>>7683720
Not him, but thats the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in D.C.
>>7683737
>tfw probably wont get to go anytime soon
Hold me /sci/
>>7683003
No, the first image is a pyromorphite from Daoping, China
>>7683720
The images are from the NMNH in DC, and the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh
Can I make these cool crystals using common household materials including bleach and ammonia?
personally I find it fascinating to imagine the vast hordes of wonderful treasures that are hidden all throughout the Earth. I mean, look at these things. truly marvelous
>>7684327
You can make many types of crystals at home or in a lab, but you should do some research into basic crystal chemistry. You won't get far with bleach and ammonia. look up man-made mineral specimens. someone with training will be able to tell it's not natural, however
>>7684329
sorry for the shitty picture above.
most crystals like this emerald are cut into gems rather than preserved as you see here
>>7684329
Thanks, I was just referencing the homemade crystals post
this thing is ridiculous
>>7684334
there's a guy in Russia who operates a synthetic quartz-growing laboratory for the government, but he also grows crazy specimens with awesome twinning. I forget his name but its written up in Rocks & Minerals I think
>>7682064
>el bait
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>>7684328
that andradite is incredible
hexoctahedral minerals are GOAT.
>>7684614
the name is from an island in Italy, increadibly rich in minerals
>>7682087
Because they're pretty, okay?
Pulled these babies up last month
>>7683737
It's it a permanent display?
>>7687423
Neat.
>>7682121
What rock is this?
how much would it cost to buy the one that looks like a watermellon?
/biz/ here. How can I profit from this shit?
>>7687580
Chakra stones. You'd have to buy them in bulk somehow.
>>7687580
Phallic minerals.
>Become one with nature.
>Fuck nature, Fuck Earth, and Fuck Gaia.
>Rock hard.
>Enjoy yourself to the rhythm and energy of mother Earth.
Seriously, the opportunities are hilarious and limitless. Also exploitive as all hell.
damn thanks for posting this op!
these are all super interesting to look at
