Chinese Mineral Specimen, Based

Plain grey on the outside, with a secret pocket of white crystal and a flash of green inside.

This mineral specimen comes from China and is shown on a base. Cavities in rock often fill slowly with crystals as mineral-rich water moves through them over very long periods, which is why an unremarkable stone can open onto something bright. Here a rounded, rough-faced grey rock is veined with fine white lines. At one end, an oval opening reveals a lining of creamy white crystal, with a cluster of blue-green crystals nestled deeper inside. It is 9 inches wide, 7 deep and 6 high.

Proof that it pays to look inside.