Giant geodes up for auction in Bally

BALLY — They form deep in the earth over thousands of years, but today they will be on display in the air above ground. Geodes — hollows in underground rocks that are filled with crystals caused by chemicals and water seeping in — come in all different colors and sizes, and a large variety of the crystalline formations are on display and on sale today at a Bally auction house.

Smiley’s Auction, at 20 N. Third St., is starting the bidding on a large collection of Geodes and other rock formations, some of museum quality, at 3 p.m. today. Glenn Smiley, a partner in the auction house, says the company is even expecting bidders from the Smithsonian and Harvard University, who may be interested in the giant and rare formations such as the Cathedral Amethyst Geode seen here.

For a slideshow of photos of auction pieces, visit our photo slideshows page, http://bit.ly/Md4egX