A similar process happens to rocks beneath the earth’s surface. An additional factor that can transform rocks is the pressure caused by tons of other rocks pressing down on it from above; heat and pressure usually work together to alter the rocks under the earth’s surface.

Metamorphic rocks

If there is too much heat or pressure, the rock will melt and become magma. This will result in the formation of an igneous rock, not a metamorphic rock.

Stone formations often symbolize the passage from one life to the next. A stone archway or a stone carved boat mark this spirit world journey and stand as vessels unconcerned with time as life cycles around them from earth to eternity.

A rock formation is an isolated, scenic, or spectacular surface rock outcrop. Rock formations are usually the result of weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock. The term rock formation can also refer to specific sedimentary strata or other rock unit in stratigraphic and petrologic studies.

In geology, a boulder is a rock fragment with size greater than 256 millimetres (10.1 in) in diameter. In common usage, a boulder is too large for a person to move. Smaller boulders are usually just called rocks (American English) or stones (In British English a rock is larger than a boulder).

Forget plain blue sapphires and white diamonds, this list represents the most beautiful minerals and stones you have ever seen.

• Crocoite.
• Rhodochrosite.
• Rhodochrosite.
• Botswana Agate.
• Alexandrite.
• Opalised Ammonite.
• Tourmaline On Quartz With Lepidolite And Cleavelandite Accents.
• Carnelian. Photo Credit: Bokkenpoot.

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