Venezuela: Mt Roraima – Valley of Crystals

As if Mount Roraima wasn’t otherworldly enough, there is an entire valley in the heart of the plateau that is full of amazing quartz crystals! There are massive quartzite veins full of perfectly shaped hexagonal large crystals. Most are transparent or white, while some have a pink hue due to manganese and iron. No taking souvenirs is allowed – for once it’s bad luck according to Indian beliefs and you will break a leg on the way down the mountain. And there is also a heavy penalty and a threat of a Venezuelan jail that works as even a better deterrent.