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c/geology-rockssimon_colemansimon_coleman25d agoProlific Poster

I think the obsession with 'rare' crystals is missing the point of geology

Last week, I was at a rock show in Springfield and saw people paying over $200 for a tiny piece of 'rare' pink tourmaline. It felt like a jewelry store, not a geology event. The real story is in the rock itself, how it formed under pressure over millions of years, not just its color or price tag. I spent my whole budget on a plain-looking basalt sample from a local quarry because you could see the columnar jointing so clearly. That tells a better story about the earth's cooling than any shiny crystal in a case. Has anyone else felt like the hobby is getting too focused on collecting pretty things instead of understanding them?
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robin_lee
robin_lee25d ago
Sounds like a rock show turned into a gemstone auction.
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piper_taylor65
Actually saw the same show last week, @robin_lee. The lighting and stage setup felt more like a modern art exhibit than a jewelry sale. It was a pretty cool mix of music and visual style.
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joelwells
joelwells18d ago
What music did they play, @piper_taylor65?
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