Venice Brick protomammal Natural sapphire can exhibit asterism

Natural sapphire can exhibit asterism or "stars" on surfaces of stones with round-cut surfaces

I will not accept here any copper from you that is not of fine quality

meaning this glass formed with water present that evaporated during its formation

staircase-like structure

Above: Fossil Butte National Monument part of what was once home to a large system of wetlands and lakes

Venice Brick protomammal Natural sapphire can exhibit asterism"I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs" ~ Lord Byron, 1812 The City of Canals, the City of Bridges, the City of Masks The city of Venice has been known by many names and ruled by many hands. Yet, despite its legendary history at the center of a long lived republic, the ever present Adriatic Sea has defined the fortunes of Venice, and it is to those waters that the city may eventually return. This specimen comes from an early 14th century paving