The world produces some utterly amazing wonders. Get lost in the beauty of these 27 minerals and stones that prove geologists have the best jobs in the world.
Sunset Fire Opal
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1031134864-4.jpg?resize=1000%2C639&ssl=1)
We could stare at this opal for hours.
Luz Opal With Galaxy Inside
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_426527956-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Where can we get some of this at?
Glowing Minerals In A Chinese Cave
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_246916189-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
These minerals, while they look dangerously radioactive, are actually completely harmless. A special phosphorescent effect is produced when UV is shone on them.
Esquel Pallasite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1230909643-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Looks like it came from the center of the earth, or some alien planet.
Petrified Wood
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1835827408-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
A long time ago, a tree fell over and was buried over time. Mineral rich water flows through the wood and precipitate into the wood. Many years later, this is the result.
Frozen Oil Crystal Formation
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_246916189-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
This is perhaps the best "oil spill" we've ever seen.
Chrysocolla In Malachite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1517179706-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
It's a little cave!
Rhodocrosite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1722064768-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
More like rose-oscrosite. These look just like real roses!
River Rock Split Into Eight Pieces
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_425107399-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
How this rock got to be in this state HAS to be an interesting story.
Strengite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_772807513-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Wow, this is pretty much dragon scales as a mineral.
Rock Formation In Norway
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1722064768-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
Almost as many ripples as the water.
World’s Largest Amethyst Geode
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1057810916-3.jpg?resize=1000%2C800&ssl=1)
Dubbed 'The Empress of Uruguay,' this amazing natural stands nearly 11 feet tall.
This Rock Formation Looks Like A Ship
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1717563304-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Wow, this could seriously pass as a real ship in dense fog.
Ocean Jasper
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_246916189-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
The ocean produces some incredible things.
Watermelon Tourmaline
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_360101591-3.jpg?resize=1000%2C706&ssl=1)
Are we sure that isn't a real watermelon?
Pyrite Ball
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_771926002-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Don't be 'fooled' by this fools gold. This amazing ball was formed when over time the usual cubic mineral formations found with pyrite stuck together.
Ocean Inside An Opal
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1057810916-3.jpg?resize=1000%2C800&ssl=1)
It's like taking the ocean with you everywhere you go!
Lightning Ridge Black Opal
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1517179706-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
There's something very ominous about this opal.
Bismuth
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_425107399-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Is it an element, or a part of a computer? That's right. It's an element!
Rose Quartz Geode
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1717563304-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
So sparkly — we must have it.
Detroit Agate
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1835827408-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
This "rock" is actually tens of years of discarded car paint that dried in layers. Amazing!
Detriot Agate Is Also Called ‘Fordite’
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1230909643-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Dubbed as such because this "rock" formed from thousands of layers of spray enamel paint used on cars.
Uvarovite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_425107399-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Often mistaken for emeralds, these beautiful green stones are ooh so shiny.
Burmese Tourmaline
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1722064768-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
Look at those amazing edges!
The Roundest Rock You’ll Ever See
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1230909643-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Likely smoothed by being tossed and rolled against river rocks, this rock is as close to a perfect sphere as rocks can get.
Fluorite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_772807513-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
How does Mother Nature make these perfect minerals?
Dinosaur Fossil, Mineralized
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1031134864-4.jpg?resize=1000%2C639&ssl=1)
Over millions of years, the pores and crevices in the bone filled with gorgeous precipitate minerals.
Peacock Coal
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_426527956-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
And you thought all coal was black.
Opalised Ammonite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1517179706-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Wait…this isn't a picture of a planet?
Peruvian Blue Opal
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1057810916-3.jpg?resize=1000%2C800&ssl=1)
If you can find a more perfect blue, we'd love to see it.
Rainbow Geode
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1031134864-4.jpg?resize=1000%2C639&ssl=1)
An incredible rainbow, captured forever in stone.
A Heart Of Flesh And Blood ; Carneole
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1230909643-1.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Is that a dinosaur egg?
Crocoite
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_772807513-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
It does look sharp like a crocodile's teeth, but it has nothing to do with the beast.
Botswana Agate
![](https://i0.wp.com/upload.ratemyjob.com/rmj/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1835827408-2.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
Just sit back and let the waves entrance you.