The lure of minerals is irrepressible when one sees fine crystals on display. This post is the first of four in a row featuring crystals seen at rock and gem shows in Arizona. The Tucson Rock and Gem Show is one of the oldest and largest of all such shows, with famed international reputation. The images shown in these posts display fine specimens on display and available from vendors. Most photos were taken with various point and shoot cameras using available light and no special preparation for the best photography conditions. Each image has a link where interested visitors to this blog may see larger, better versions and technical details about the minerals.
The above gigantic cluster of quartz crystals stands about 4 ½' tall outside one of the Tucson hotels that host the many shows that make up the whole of the Tucson Rock and Gem Show. Shot in macro mode with a point and shoot camera at night, the orange and yellow glow comes from low sodium lights at the entrance. The photo was chosen by the Greater Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to decorate 10' tall vertical banners to show parking areas and was featured on a guide to the many show events around the city during the 2008 and 2009 shows in Tucson.
This crate is 7' tall! Detail below
The photograph above is a close look at deeply-colored amethyst crystals in a large chunk of crystals on matrix, broken out of a vug taken from the mine. A complete, whole vug of amethyst from Brazil is pictured in a crate about 6' tall and a macro view of amethyst crystals is to the right:
Next blog post to come: rare and pure crystal specimens in many formations.
Links to higher resolution and large images of these specimens are listed below:
1. Glowing Crystals, Quart Giant
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/442116580/
2. Large Crated Vug
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/380846988/
3. Dark Yellow Crystals, Side View
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/380846992/
4. Blue Purple Red: Amethyst Crystals
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/2259191409/
5. Amethyst Vug
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/380846984/
6. Amethyst with a Green Curve, Macro
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/
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whenever I see such compressed beauty, I wonder what it would take to synthesize crystals like these... are there any shortcuts to the iterative algorithm of nature?
Why isn't this blog being updated?
Hey, true... nice pics, BTW, but we want more!
Thanks for this post. My friend living near the Eiffel Tower may need to look into this. However, I am skeptical at drug companies and their promises. I wonder if this will be another one of those "lifetime treatments" or cures
I injured my back on July 5 and have been off work for a month with another month to go. Found out painkillers are not helpful to thinking skills. I am so sorry I have not been able to update again. If the new photographer has not started by tonight, I will get the new article posted on bismuth crystals. Thanks for asking, it has been a disappointment to me not to be able to post the next entries.
whenever I see such compressed beauty, I wonder what it would take to synthesize crystals like these... are there any shortcuts to the iterative algorithm of nature?
Thanks for asking, it has been a disappointment to me not to be able to post the next entries.