When I think of crystals, I think of South Africa. It's polished stones come in countless varieties. I managed to get invited  to visit the factories which produce these marvelous stones. In photo 2 you see massive pieces of sodalite as well as the hugh machines (photo 3) where the rock is tumbled, sorted and polished. Photos 4 and 5 show the local sorters and their canine assistants.

From there I went to the area where sugilite comes from. Here I am making the agonizing decision of which specimens to bring back to GEOdiscoveries in Australia. Darn! Should I buy selected items or the lot? Let's negotiate! (photo 1)