What is this close-up picture? (WotsThat: Quartz crystal formation)

Question

What object is shown in this zoomed-in close-up photo?

MicaFlake · Accepted Answer

Quartz crystal formation. Quartz crystals can actually grow in both directions along their pointed ends simultaneously, but they always prefer to grow faster in one direction, which is why natural quartz points are rarely perfectly symmetrical—it's like the crystal is subtly left-handed or right-handed as it forms. Even stranger, if you slice open a crystal, you'll often find it contains microscopic water droplets and ancient air bubbles that have been locked inside for millions of years, essentially giving you a tiny time capsule from when the crystal was forming.

Answer: Quartz crystal formation

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