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[–] 68 points 4 months ago (11 children)

I've had multiple teachers, including at least one science teacher, say nature doesn't do straight lines.

It was just as baffling then as it is now. Especially since I've always had a fascination with pyrite.

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  • [–] 25 points 4 months ago (7 children)

    Doesn't quartz also do straight lines pretty much always?

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  • [–] 8 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Based on the two large mostly clear crystals from different parts of the world I'm (figuratively) holding, "yes" would be my answer. Although most quartz I come across in the wild is the cloudy chunky kind.

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  • [–] 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    Every crystal or crystal like structure does straight lines, no?

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  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago

    Quartz has an octagonal crystal structure, which is the only thing distinguishing it from regular glass. Both are silicon dioxide.

    If you melt quartz and let it cool, it will just be regular glass with an amorphous crystal structure. Conversely, if you melt glass and mix in some ground quartz, it will crystalize around the pattern and become quartz.

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