For a while there (many years back), I was in that business and was fascinated with rocks, clusters and mineral specimens. And I kept quite a few of them and am always adding to my collection. I went back to Chimney Rock today to look over their rock shop and mineral mine. It's only about 12 miles from here and it's a nice, squirrely drive down Hickory Nut Gorge to get there. I looked at that piece more carefully this time and discerned it was glass. Although I have seen smaller crystals with a pinkflow in the middle, I think this was a Chinese repro. Nice art object or conversation piece.
Huge!

They've got some nice standing amethyst geodes for the cheapest prices I've seen in years. If I ever get my house built, I'm gonna get a couple. I have a couple of nice generator quartz points, and a huge one I use as door stop. Lots of large amethyst and clear crystal clusters hanging around this apartment. Up here I find myself drawn to the green and purple flourite, got another big polished piece for a doorstop. Found a matching pair of six inch goniatites for thirty bucks today. I couldn't get those wholesale at that price 20 years ago!

Thanks for reminding me to check out those mineral shops and museums. There's one in Hendersonville I think too. Mount Mitchell will have to wait until the spring. We're expecting snow flurries tonight.