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Geology cichlid !!WhOQyKVA829
Hey /an/

I've got a very good friend who is very much into geology. For christmas, i was thinking of buying him some amazing rocks.
What are some really fucking bad-ass looking stones i could buy him?

Pic related, it's a bismuth crystal.
>> Anonymous
Buy him a granite countertop, because it is actually useful
>> cichlid !!WhOQyKVA829
>>343659

He's got one, actually.
>> Anonymous
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Buy him this
Make a cut out spot for it in a Bible.
Sign the inside cover "Happy Birthday Salvation Lies Within."

If he doesn't appritiate that then take the rock hamme and beat in his skull.

Or get him a Fulgurite...google it they are cool, lighting fused sand.

Or get him a dinosaur coprolite (fossilized dino shit)

Or if you are on the cheap cheap (none of the things above are expensive though) then make him a cool vintage look t-shirt with a kitsch slogan on it like "Geologists ROCK" or something
>> cichlid !!WhOQyKVA829
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>>343665

I like the sound of the fulgurite and the fossilized shit.
Something obscure would be good since i'd like to suprise him with something he didn't even know existed (not impossible, but a challenge)

Malachite in pic.
Unaltered stones are superior imho.
>> Anonymous
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>> Anonymous
OH FUCK IS THAT SOME BISMUTH

FUCK YES GET HIM THAT
>> Anonymous
Speaking of fucking bismuth, Amazon sells some for $23.99 for one pound. Would that be enough to grow some large sized crystals?
>> cichlid !!WhOQyKVA829
>>343690

How does one grow bismuth crystals?
I know it forms after melting but how does one crystalize it?
>> Anonymous !.JeS8NKync
>>343691
To crystalize, you must be sure to prepare ahead of time. These things can't be forced spontaneously.
It all takes place after it's been impregnated.
Once the labor phase has passed, it will give birth. It's during that birthing that the crystals will be exposed and it is the only time when you can safely harvest.
>> Anonymous
>>343701
that is the lamest description ever dude
like your trying to sound cool, but you failed at it.
>> Anonymous
>>343691

Apparently by melting it and then letting it cool s-l-o-w-l-y. Solid bismuth floats on top of the molten metal. No idea if protective atmosphere is required. Probably not.
>> Anonymous
>>343658

Bismuth crystals are notoroisouly diffiult to grow on your own. If you want a crystal larger than a grain of rice it takes YEARS.

Anyway, OP: If your friend is really into geology, then stuff like fool's gold, bismuth crystals, coprolites (fossilized poo), etc, is probably not very exciting. If you go to a rock and mineral show, then nearly every dealer there will be trying to sell you those things. They're cheap, common, and not really special.

If you want to get something cool for your rock-loving friend, then try to find something a little more unusual.

A few suggestions: Tourmaline grows in very pretty multi-colored crystals.
Depending on how large and fancy they are it could cost anywhere from just a few $$ to thousands.

The fulgurite is a better idea as those are a lot more special than the bismuth or coprolites.

Geodes can be cool, but if you get one, find a NICE one.
>> Anonymous
Personally, I love Halite. Mostly I just like to sit there and lick it like a horse. Feldspars are pretty cool, but I like translucent crystals, myself. The Tourmaline idea is great. I like the watermelon or pink kind, but pink is really expensive.
>> Anonymous
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>> Anonymous
I don't mind pretty minerals and rocks but personally i prefer having a rock that has come from a place i've seen before.
God damn I would love a meteorite.
>> Anonymous
Where can I get some fucking bismuth?
>> Anonymous
Can you get bismuth crystals online or do you have to grow them or whatever
>> Anonymous
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no one can resist
>> Anonymous
>>343829
>>343830
http://www.unitednuclear.com/bismuth.htm
The bismuth comes as small metal disks. You have to grow the crystals.
>> Anonymous
You can easily buy bismuth crystals. As someone mentioned earlier, they are common fodder at rock and mineral shows right along the fool's gold. You can also find them at science-oriented gift shops, like those Discovery Channel stores, etc.

Or you can google for "bismuth crystal"....there's several places selling them online.
>> cichlid !!WhOQyKVA829
>>343785

Some of the best advice i've gotten so far.

Despite the fact he's almost done with his geology major, he hasn't heard of a bismuth crystal (which gave me the idea in the first place). So i don't think that'd be too tacky.
I really like the idea of the fulgurite. A lot.
Tourmaline looks cool too. Too bad so many people want it cut. I'd much rather just have the stone unaltered.
He's already got a few geodes so i think i'll give those a pass.

>>343808
Look into tektites. Cheap, and from meteor impacts. Hell, i should probably get him some of those too.
>> Anonymous
<a href="http://zip.4chan.org/an/src/1227419694731.jpg" target="_blank">1227419694.jpg</a>
>> Anonymous
>>343874
Thanks man, I'll think i'll get one of these.
>> Anonymous
B-b-b-b-b-b-BISMUTH BUMP!
>> Anonymous
I say go with anal beads, you're obviously and dude in love with another dude, give him some rocks you both can enjoy.


Sorry dude, some1 had to go there.