Kaitlin, 28, from the United States is suspended from hooks pierced through her skin by the professional body artist Dino Helvida in Zagreb, Croatia June 7, 2016. (Photo by Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

Two copper sharks ride the waves in Red Bluff Beach, Australia on July, 2020. Professional photographer Sean Scott, 43, from Burleigh Heads, Australia, caught the stunning snap. (Photo by Sean Scott/MediaDrumImages/@seanscottphotography)

Australian professional basketball player Liz Cambage shows off her extensive tattoo collection in a tiny black bikini while having a smoke on the beach in Miami on April 7, 2021. (Photo by The Mega Agency/Profimedia)

American rapper Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus, known professionally as Cardi B lets her curves pop out in the last decade of March 2023. (Photo by iamcardib/Instagram)

American rapper Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known professionally as Doja Cat in the second decade of September 2023 terrifies MTA riders with this red getup. (Photo by dojacat/Instagram)

There is an endless bounty of eye-catching gemstones throughout the world and this spectacular boulder opal is one unique beauty that looks like a shimmering crystal encased in a tree fossil. Its opalescent sheen seeps through the cracks of the seemingly wooden rings in lustrous hues of emerald green and aqua blue. Like something out of a fairy tale, the triangular piece radiates through an organic pattern mimicking the growth rings of tree.

“Lofoten Glow”. I was desperately searching a good sunrise spot this particular morning. Normally Storvatnet Lake is completely covered in snow, so you can only imagine my surprise when I saw these crazy ice formations almost being shot out of the frozen lake. I put my crampons on and took a big risk walking out. I could hear the ice cracking underneath my feet, and when you’re all alone in a fjord/canyon like this – the cracks are echoed and sound really frightening. Was it worth it? I sure think so! Photo location: Storvatnet, Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway. (Photo and caption by Stian Klo/National Geographic Photo Contest)