Geodes - beautiful and kinda 3D Mandelbrot-esque!

[twinbee]

The intricate crystal-like innards of Geode is a wonderful thing to behold, even if the below shot is more than slightly reminiscent of Jaws! I can imagine a crystalized version of the real 3D mandelbrot set (if it exists) to look a bit like this inside, but far, far better still.



Absolutely stunning gigantic version here:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Amethist_geode_of_kathedraal.JPG

I wonder if current GI raytracers can get that good!

Here are some other fascinating images (the cream of the crop after searching Google images for "Geode"):
http://www.wegnercrystalmines.com/22/imagesmf/JUNE%2006%20WEBSITE/Urg.%20Amethsyt%20Geode.JPG
http://www.neatstuff.net/avalon/texts/KellieGeodeLG.jpg
http://www.gamineral.org/_pictures/t07-jgmw-geode.jpg
http://www.durangobill.com/GeodeCathedral.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/mysticallinks/AMethyst%20Geode.jpg