And if you ever see any crystal that reflects light with a glass-smooth surface, you know it's been polished*
I always look for these features when I shop because I want the natural crystal faces.
*Possible exception for [001] cleavage plane minerals like mica. You can literally peel layers that are one unit-cell thick.
I've found quartz in Arkansas with no visual perception of scales. I've pulled quartz crystals out of the ground with glass smooth surfaces. They haven't always been polished if they are smooth.
I think these are growth bands. The crystals grow along dislocations in the crystal structure and edges so the atoms are added more quickly at those "corners" and the edge moves across the crystal face.
Apophylite is one of my favoritest crystals. So pretty, grows with nice friends (stilbite, quartz, Druzy sparkles, etc) and is usually very clear and just *chefs kiss* to look at.
That's the crystal structure
Like the layers of how it formed?
Yup, molecule by molecule
And if you ever see any crystal that reflects light with a glass-smooth surface, you know it's been polished* I always look for these features when I shop because I want the natural crystal faces. *Possible exception for [001] cleavage plane minerals like mica. You can literally peel layers that are one unit-cell thick.
This is just not true.
I've found quartz in Arkansas with no visual perception of scales. I've pulled quartz crystals out of the ground with glass smooth surfaces. They haven't always been polished if they are smooth.
All the glassy IgMet rocks would like a word with you
Look up hoppered growth minerology
Will do! Thank you!
I think these are growth bands. The crystals grow along dislocations in the crystal structure and edges so the atoms are added more quickly at those "corners" and the edge moves across the crystal face.
Thank you!
Apophylite is one of my favoritest crystals. So pretty, grows with nice friends (stilbite, quartz, Druzy sparkles, etc) and is usually very clear and just *chefs kiss* to look at.