I am soooo observative!
I was enamored with the crystals and skipped the faceted stone! I usually skip them. So funny!
However, lately i have been thinking about designing jewelry, and so am thinking faceted stones might be ok. As long as it wasn't cut from a complete crystal.
I already have sketched a bunch of designs and just need to find a silver-smithing class - or even better a skilled person that wants to do an "apprenticeship" of some sort.
A trip is most definitely in order!
As a side note: I wouldn't compete or, more importantly, compare with Wake county, or anywhere else, anyway. The things you have shown hold their own weight and are very nice in their own right.
I have found that the mineral kingdom exemplifies the thought that it isn't about "better than", rather it is about "different than..." it is more about a celebration of differences. It is the uniqueness that is alluring, as it reflects the mystery of it all. These physical things (crystals) represent really physical and tangible laws. However the origin and order of these laws, can't be defined or concretely qualified. These laws are enmeshed with the unknown, yet are relied on to explain and even refute chaos.
Yes, some crystals are just exquisite and some locales are exceptional and give that more frequently. They are all qualifications along a continuum. They compliment each other. You may say that they wouldn't exist without each other, such as yin and yang, etc.
We need to allow there to be more "great" in the world, without a qualification - more objectivity is in order. Objectivity can be found in tolerance and acceptance in...
observation; and it's utilization is a deliberate reflection of the wondrous beauty and energy that makes up the natural world. It is a way to use the mind as the tool it was meant to be. It is an expression of the aligned mind and spirit. For me, you can experience the spirit and embrace science. It is a letting go of rigid constructs, and free yourself from mental prejudices. Innovative thinking and neutrality is required. It is a more responsible and reasonable way to be...a natural existence.
Also, living in an area that doesn't have anything close to that kind of occurrence, would make you much more appreciative also.
Those crystals appear unique to me in their size and length; and have a really incredibly, beautiful color. They are exhibiting their own environmental existence.
Whew! I am wordy today! What I really wanted to know is when you say "cider", do you mean like a honey (not amber)? Is there a tinge of yellow to the smoky or is it more grey?