Graham Eaton / Tightly folded Pre-Cambrian age, Quartz Mica Schist, a metamorphic rock. These are ductile folds generated under compression. Rhoscolyn Wales, UK, June

Chris Mattison / Endemic succulent (Oophytum nanum) in bud, growing among quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa.

Chris Mattison / Endemic Stone plant (Argyroderma delaetii) with one new and one old seedpod, growing among quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa

Chris Mattison / Endemic Stone plant (Argyroderma delaetii) also known as Bababoudjes (Babies' bottoms), growing among quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa

Chris Mattison / Endemic succulents Oophytum nanum and Argyroderma delaetii growing among quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa, where they are endemic

Chris Mattison / Succulent Argyroderma fissum, growing among quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa

Chris Mattison / Toad grasshopper (Trachypetrella species, poss. T. anderssonii), nymph, which mimics quartz pebbles, Knersvlakte Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Chris Mattison / Endemic Stone plant (Argyroderma delaetii), also known as Bababoudjes (Babies' bottoms), growing among quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa

Chris Mattison / Toad grasshopper (Trachypetrella sp. possibly T. anderssonii) nymph, which mimics the quartz pebbles in the Knersvlakte Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa.

John Cancalosi / Jasper, 'Noreena jasper', silicified pelite, (mudstone) late Archean age, from Hamersly basin, Western Australia

Emanuele Biggi / Argyroderma sp "buttonbelly plant" hidden among rocks into the quartz fields of Northern South Africa

John Cancalosi / Spherulitic or orbicular chalcedony, 'ocean jasper', a cryptocrystaline quartz from Madagascar.