Crystals Found in Rocks
Rocks, minerals and crystals make up the majority of the landscape of the Earth. Natural deposits of crystal grow in the Earth and rocks until the two become melded together. Hobbyists dig up the rocks and find a mixture of rock and crystals of various types formed through the millennia.
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Quartz
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Quartz is one of the most prevalent crystals found in the Earth's crust and therefore turns up in rocks. It is even called rock crystal by many. Quartz is commonly clear, but can also be red, pink and other colors depending on other minerals present in the crystal. Quartz has value in electronics because of its piezoelectric properties.
Agate
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Agate is most commonly found in areas of volcanic rock created by mineral-rich water getting into the porous rock's numerous openings. Agate is a silicone like quartz and may look banded because of various other minerals present in the crystal. Mineral deposits also give agate it varied color and look as well.
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Halite
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Known popularly as rock salt, sea water evaporates and eventually forms large crystals of sodium chloride called halite. Due to the changes of the Earth over hundreds and thousands of years, the rock salt becomes buried and grows into rock deposits. Underground halite deposits can be 1,300 feet think in some areas.
Rhodochrosite
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This beautiful red crystal is the state mineral of Colorado and is a form of manganese. Rhodochrosite is as red as a rose in its most pure form, but the addition of other minerals can give it a deeper or less red appearance and even a frosted look. Its deep colors makes the crystal popular for jewelry.
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References
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