Quartz Crystal

For as long as I can remember, I have been enamored with geodes and minerals. There is something miraculous in the fact that these exquisite materials are forged within the earth. As the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, quartz is utilized in a variety of ways today.

My affinity for minerals has given birth to an extensive collection of jewelry and other collectibles. One of my prized pieces is a crystal quartz pyramid that I got on vacation in the Middle East. The pyramid is beautiful by itself, but when it refracts light, it creates a kaleidoscope of incandescent coloring that astounds me.

Many people think that the terms “rock” and “geode” are synonymous, but there are two distinguishing characteristics. A geode will have a distinctive bumpy exterior, which sets them apart from a typical rock. Most geodes will also have a hollow center, where you can often find crystal formations. Geodes are found all over the world, but one of the premier locations in Keokuk, Iowa.

The area around Keokuk is known as the Warsaw Foundation, and geodes from here are referred as Keokuk geode. The Warsaw Foundation encompasses a 50-mile radius from Keokuk and enters into Missouri and Illinois, although all geodes mined from this area bear the Keokuk moniker. There have been several minerals found in these geodes, including quartz and pyrite.