. . . is a packet containing a quarter teaspoon (1/4 tsp, or 1 gram) of rare ~ Natural Golden Ivory Star Sand (Baculogypsina sphaerulata) ~ with grains measuring from approximately 1mm to perhaps only 2mm across. Only two islands in Japan accumulate "star sand". Grains of star sand are the shells of microscopic, single-celled organisms called foraminiferans or forams. Foraminifera commonly produce a calciferous test (skeleton) that is divided into chambers. Some of these tests have filopodia (thin cytoplasmic extensions) that create the image of little stars. Every grain is different! Using a magnifying loupe, I counted a sample packet of the star sand to determine approximately how many spiked grains would be in each quarter teaspoon offered for purchase. Counting only the spiked grains (I did not include in the count the grains of star sand that are spherical, or more pillow-like, that do not have the little extensions that make them look like stars), I found the sample packet contained more than four hundred (400+) of the spiked grains. This is cleaned (bleached) Star Sand - hence it's light, natural color. A photo taken through a magnifying loupe shows close-up detail of a small sample of the Star Sand. Fabulous rare microscopic shells that can be used singly for the center of tiny seashell flowers, or can be used in groups for the center of larger flowers. You can let your imagination go wild with crafting ideas for these unique little beauties in Sailor's Valentines or in all your shell art projects and designs!
~~~~~ From a smoke-free and pet-free home ~~~~~
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To avoid any surprises, a rule (in INCHES) is included at the bottom of the photos. Also, for verification, written measurements are included in the first sentence of this Description.
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