There are also mini-formations including floating calcite crystals, over twenty nests of " cave pearls ", and delicate fern-like crystals less than long.
12.
The Rookery, in Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, has so many cave pearls that they were at one time handed out to visitors as souvenirs.
13.
However the Bailey-Ward Series of chambers includes Bernard's Rift, which is high and contains crystal pools containing calcite-encrusted goniatite snail shells, and cave pearls.
14.
Exposure to moving water polishes the surface of cave pearls, making them glossy; if exposed to the air, cave pearls can degrade and appear rough.
15.
Exposure to moving water polishes the surface of cave pearls, making them glossy; if exposed to the air, cave pearls can degrade and appear rough.
16.
Although the motion of the water often keeps cave pearls from adhering, sometimes cave pearls will stick to one another or to the bottom of a pool.
17.
Although the motion of the water often keeps cave pearls from adhering, sometimes cave pearls will stick to one another or to the bottom of a pool.
18.
The existence of an actual pool may not be necessary for cave pearls to form, as long as the deposit is kept wet and agitated by water dripping or trickling through.
19.
If the cave pearl sinks to the bottom of a pool, or is otherwise in direct contact with moving water, the motion of the water buffs it to a high gloss.
20.
Stalactites jutting from the cave's ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor form intricate formations such as cave curtains, flow stones, cave pearls and scallops which took thousands of years to form.
