The strange process known as hoppering occurs when a crystal grows so rapidly that only the exterior is fully formed, and the interior takes on a lattice effect that looks as though parts of the crystal had been removed. This occurs when the electrical attraction at the edges of the crystal is strong enough that growth is concentrated in those areas, leaving the interior behind. The result is a strange and beautiful phenomenon, perfectly demonstrated in this exquisite little nugget: rows of regular crystal rods have grown in an uncannily regular herring bone formation at the centre, whilst the outer areas exhibit some of the more familiar botroidal forms and smooth burnishing. The whole specimen looks almost as though it were a sheet of golden clay, carefully folded and formed by man, whereas in fact it is yet another example of the wonderful inventiveness of nature.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:19:44 +0000
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