Giant Crystal Cave
By craftcatcher
@craftcatcher (3699)
United States
October 14, 2008 12:40pm CST
I have always had a fascination with crystals and I own many small quartz crystals. I'm fascinated with everything about them from how they're formed, their geometric shapes, and the future of crystals in a variety of future technologies. I think their potential for uses in computer technology, energy production, and medical technology have not even begun to be tapped.
So when I read several years ago about the discovery of a cave in Mexico, which contained the largest crystals ever found on Earth, I couldn't help but get very excited and I wanted to see pictures!!
Well now we have video! The National Geographic Channel has put together a fantastic documentary about the cave. Some of these gorgeous gypsum crystals have been growing for well over 400,000 years are over 35 ft long and when the original conditions of the cave are restored, before human intervention, these crystals will continue to grow.
If you are as interested as I am in crystals, geology, or just fascinated by the wonders of our planet it's well worth watching.
It is on again tonight (Tues. 10/14) at 10:00 Eastern Time and will be replayed several times on the National Geographic Channel over the coming months I'm sure. I highly recommend the show.
So to make this a discussion.. Do you think, as I do, that crystals will have a significant place in future technology?
4 people like this
11 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Crystals in one form or another will certainly have an important place in tomorrow's technology, I think. Have you ever seen one of the crystal skulls?
I have not seen them first hand, but Have seen some beautiful photos in books and videos and online:
http://www.mendhak.com/images/website/mystery/mitchellhedges1.jpg
I have gotten to visit some very large amethyst caves, however and there is certainly an energy there:
http://www.drturi.com/images/HealingRoom/Picture%20053.jpg
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Hi Ann! I did see the show on the crystal skulls. There are a lot of urban legends about the skulls. But so far the skulls in possession by museums such as the British Museum, Musée du Quai Branly in Paris and the one at the Smithsonian, have all been thoroughly microscopically analyzed and have been proven to be made with modern jewelers tools and abrasives. They are stunningly beautiful works of art but not authentic pre-Columbian art. It is amazing how many stories and claims have popped up about them over the years.
I absolutely love that picture of the amethyst geode. Amethyst is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for sharing that pic.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
15 Oct 08
It is hard not to consider amethyst a favorite! I think there is an energy in those skulls no matter who made them. I'd like to see the folks that did the analysis sit down and try to make one if they are so smart, too! Or make a zillion so everybody could have one :-) It must be fun to work in the kind of lab that does that sort of analysis.
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
•
14 Oct 08
Oh Crystals mean so much..I love them too and have a lot of them some rough and some smooth..there is so much technology can do with crystals and am sure that in the future they will be used more than what they are now, they have an energy of their own and powerful as well they help in healing,meditation for well being plus all the things in technology as you say they are living and like all things will continue to grow..will look out for the programme on National Geographic as have missed it tonight..hugs littleowl
3 people like this
@littleowl (7157)
•
15 Oct 08
Hi Craftcacher I have just looked at the link on UTube the crystals are fantastic and it was news to me to know they let out an infrared signal..that is amazing..also the Crystal within a Crystal by concentrating on it as it goes round if you look carefully there seems to be a story it is trying to show us..just by concentrating on the crystal inside of the crystal..that was amazing too..thanks for the link..hugs littleowl
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
There is a lot to find out about these and other crystals. It just boggles the mind. They found several spots where the crystal matrix grew with water still inside them. They are doing dozens of tests on this water to get a better idea of the life that existed back when it was formed. They've already discovered several different kinds of bacterium, who knows what else they will find. It is awesome. Sort of like finding a piece of Amber with an intact insect in it from 40 million years ago. You just look at it and say WOW!
Glad you enjoyed it hon, hugs to you 
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
30 Oct 08
Clear quartz crystal can do wonders to improve your mental, physical and emotional well being.
Crystals magnify and clean energy. It is smart to wear or have crystal in purse all the time.
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I often wear my best crystal on a necklace, it's so pretty. I've been looking for a matched pair of smaller crystals to wear as earrings but it's hard to find two that are the same length and size. I'm going to keep looking! Thanks pola!
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Hi Lakota! It would be a real experience to see it in person. I just wish the conditions were a little more within human tolerance! Too hot for this girl! LOL! I'm glad they got so much good video of it though. Once they let the chamber flood again no one will ever get to see it again, not in my lifetime anyway.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Yes, I love them. I think that they have potential because of their reflection and revelance to light. . I think they may prove to have effective ways to contribute scientificaly.They are beautiful and may even have healing powers, who knows.
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Exactly, who knows?! There's so much we don't yet understand. Thanks!
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
15 Oct 08
Hi craftcather,
I love crystals, and I have few here with me, I am fasinated by them as well and somehow I think technology will catch on using crystals, I don't know waht you feel about that as the use of crystals are mostly for helling.
Tamara
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
I am ultimately a realist. I believe that there are people who believe that crystals have the power to heal. Sometimes that can be used as a way to alleviate the stress and anxiety in a person who is ill. Stress is such a killer, overcoming that factor can be a great help in allowing the ill person's body to heal itself. So in essence they are a catalyst to aid in healing. But I don't believe they possess a supernatural power of their own to heal.
I am excited to see the future uses for crystals. We need to learn so much about their growth and structure. If scientist ever get a handle on that, wow it will be a big leap forward.
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
17 Oct 08
I have never that show. But I bet it would be neat. I enjoy learning or watching tv shows liek that. I have always liked crystals as well and found them to be neat. Maybe it is the girl in me who collectors jewelry and always looking for something new.
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I hope you get to see it sometime. It's a jewelry collector's dream come true! 
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
15 Oct 08
oh we saw this on National Geographic and its just amazing!! my father had read about the caves a couple of years ago in a lapidary journal and he couldnt quit talking about them lol! i do love crystals, if nothing else for their beauty! and the video of inside that cave were just phenomenal!!
my father had tried to describe how big they article said they were, but i never pictured in my head anything nearly as big as they are! just stunning!
sure wish i could go and see them, they said on the show that because of surface air venting into the cavern that the temperature is slowly dropping and that will cause the crystals to crumble!! i THINK thats why they are trying to flood the caves..not sure though..or where they trying to keep the caves FROM flooding?
i was also stunned to learn that other than the very core of the crystal, the outside of them are as soft as a human fingernail!! thats crazy! those things were monstrous! id have been so worried that something that big, that soft, would drop right down on my and then flat me!
they looked like they were crawling in a giant geode! man that was neat.
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Your dad and I must have read the same lapidary journal! That's where I first ran across info on the cave too. I'm so glad they made a video of it too. It's difficult to get true scale until you see people moving around walking on them, then it hits you just HOW BIG they really are.
They are eventually going to have to let the cave flood again. The cooler the chamber gets the more fragile the crystals become. They can only grow in water so once they let the chamber flood again the crystals will continue to form. Unfortunately that also means that it is unlikely anyone will ever get to see them again.
I would be terrified that something would fall down on my head in that cave. Too big, too soft, attached to wet rocks.... gives me the shivers thinking about it! Although I would love to stand at the edge of the room with the biggest crystals I don't know if I'd be brave enough to walk in!
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
Hi cbreeze.. hope you got to see the show and were well distracted!
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
15 Oct 08
i just saw that listed on.. i would love to see it in person.. i love crystals!!
1 person likes this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
15 Oct 08
I would love to see it in person too. There's no way pictures and videos could do it justice. Stunningly beautiful.
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
31 Oct 08
Hi Craftcatcher,
I know this is a little late but I did see the show on Nat. Geo. and it was spectacular. I've always had a curiosity about crystals and really would love to know more about the powers they hold. I see that Kashi seems to know a lot about them and is on my friends list. I just requested your frienship and hope to know more about you. I really enjoyed your musical video. Singing is a talent I have always longed to have. Hope to see you around more.
leenie
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
31 Oct 08
Hi leenie! Glad you saw the show it was awesome! I hope scientists continue to study crystals for their untapped potiential.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! You are now on my friends list and I look forward to joining discussions with you from now on. Have a great day!
