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Aaaaagh! First workday of the new year!

This calls for some serious Shiny.

First, the Smithsonian:

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https://youtu.be/CwJC_9L7vxo&rel=0

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Of course, there are some shiny minerals you wouldn’t handle so casually for very long —

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https://youtu.be/sUKU1WUVKGg&rel=0

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— and some shinies that you’d proudly flaunt before the world!

Some people flaunt better than others:

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https://youtu.be/1AS-dCdYZbo&rel=0

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This is what’s sparkling on her shoulder at the end.

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Lesser-known shiny gems exist, too!

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Bottom line: You would not believe what antics the elements pull when under intense heat and pressure. (I couldn’t fully grasp it and so am now retired from a lengthy career that was satisfying but not Geology.)

But the results of all that geophysics and geochemistry sure are beautiful sometimes!

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A little lagniappe:

https://youtu.be/KASzVlj7_ec&rel=0

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Featured image: PhoenixNeon/Shutterstock

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