So, it is relatively common to have various creatures grow crystals. This generally happens outside of the body (at least partially), but internal crystals aren't unknown either (see for example, every non-earth-native animal from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, which use a gemstone to collect and store magical energy).

Now, I guess you could say that kidney stones and the like might qualify as crystals, but those are more of a by-product, that is in fact harmful.

My question is, why would an animal (or plant) choose to grow a crystalline structure? As far as I know, organs are generally organic, with veins going all over the place on the inside. A crystal wouldn't allow for that.

Why would a body invest resources in growing a crystal?

Edit: Note that while bones do include crystals, they aren't exactly visible without a microscope, from what I can tell. What I'm looking for would be a crystal that is formed biologically, and is big enough to see and recognise as a crystal, without any microscopes and stuff.

posted over 4 years ago

Mark Gardner‭

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