Progress is impossible without change

New developments are piling up at Stack of Stones. Today, I am pleased to delight you with the first monthly ‘Written in Stone’ newsletter on the second Sunday morning of the month, straight to your mailbox. What you can expect in these mailings are updates on new activities, fascinating facts to learn and the latest analysis to watch or read.

You can already see it from my new website and this newsletter, but there are going to be more changes at Stack of Stones in the near future. Just as minerals can change due to certain circumstances, change at Stack of Stones can also lead to progress and new possibilities. I fully embrace this natural process and it gives me great energy.

Minerals and gemstones are created by the interaction of different elements and conditions such as pressure, temperature and time. New services and products are created through interaction with the people who benefit from them.

For that reason, in addition to the Facebook Live broadcasts, which I have already given many times, there will be more in-depth short Online Masterclasses, and there is even a real pilot for an online course in the pipeline. The first master class is a reality. I invite you to participate and learn about the Growth Forms of Quartz.

Online Masterclass – Growth forms of quartz

Next Tuesday, April 11, 2023 8:00-21:00 p.m. via Zoom

Quartz is a common mineral with an enormous number of varieties and growth forms.

Everyone is familiar with the famous hexagonal pillars with a point on top but have you ever heard of a Tessin habit or Artichoke quartz?

During this 1-hour online Masterclass via Zoom, I explain the crystal forms of quartz with their most common external appearances (habitus).

In addition, a variety of other growth forms are covered, such as split growth (e.g., candle quartz), epitaxy (e.g., cactus quartz), gwindel growth, faden quartz, twin growth, etc. I will show you how to recognize these forms and give more background on their origins. Of course I will also show beautiful examples from my own collection and there will be room for questions.

Expand your knowledge and get inspired during this online Masterclass!

After registering, by purchasing a ticket through this link, you will automatically receive an email with link for the Zoom meeting.

The trusted address

The familiar address www.stapelvanstenen.nl has been given a new look. A new house style in line with my book, but also a number of technical adjustments so that I can provide you with even better information.

My offer is now easier to find: direct buttons to the (online) courses, information about lectures and workshops and the possibility to fill in a form for advice or a question. Through the calendar you can easily search for my planned activities. Of course, the links to my videos are also already there.

New species discovered: chocoladelite

I would like to thank all the people I had the pleasure of meeting during the busy and wonderful weekend at the International Minerals Fair in Rijswijk!

It was tremendous fun to be able to help visitors identify minerals and gemstones. Sometimes people are pleasantly surprised when they hear the story behind a stone, all the things you can deduce from what we see and measure. Sometimes also a little disappointed because the stone in grandma’s ring turned out to be glass after all, or that beach find a glass slag. But at least we were able to provide clarity. Didn’t attend? You’ll get a retake. In October 2023, Stack of Stones will be back in Rijswijk.

Make the Chocoladelite* taste good this Easter weekend.

Greetings,

Rolf

*Thanks to Robert and Ger for identifying and naming this new species .