Your Questions About What Is Agate

What is the best way to apply gold to illuminated leters?

Im trying to do a project that involves guilding and raised letters. Im using a pva and water mix to try and raise the letters off the page, however, the glue always dries with ridges in the middle of the letters whether i use thin layers or a big blob, how can i avoid this?

also, when im burnishing the gold it seems to wear away as im doing it. what is the best technique to burnish with an agate tiped burnisher, how much presure should i apply?

Many thanks,
Paul

Where in the world can I find silicon?

I can't possibly found any source that tells me WHERE silicon is found. I see where it is USED in : technology, agate, etc. And sources keep telling me that the pure form of silicon can not be found in nature or other sources tell me that it is rare to find silicon in the purest form. I want to know where it's found in the world, but instead I get things like: how it's found in the earth's crust and how it's so abundant. Well, Wiki doesn't help at all and I've read through it without answering my question. Help? I want to know what countries or regions or areas in this world silicon is found a lot in. Multiple answers are great. Thanks! [ And don't say Silicon Valley, California please 😉 ]

What is the difference between crystal habit and crystal system? Need or can't continue research. 10 pts :)?

Ok for Science Olympiad Rocks and Minerals (high school) I'm making a binder and I don't understand what a crystal habit or a crystal system is. I'm currently gathering data on quartz (rose, milky, jasper, crystal, onyx/agate, amethyst), and I honestly can't continue without knowing what they are (in an understandable way). It's really hard to find on websites for some of them, so... I have problems with chalcedony, jasper, milky. It will also help if any of you tell me the crystal habit/crystal system of each... Thanks for all help 🙂 Highly appreciated. 10 points for most helpful answer:)

Would these earrings look good on men?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Urban-Male-Earrings-Black-Agate/dp/B001E2V4P8/ref=sr_1_3/277-4177262-1348629?ie=UTF8

They are also 8.5mm is that realistically a bit too big?

OR

These typical diamond studs

Heres what i look like to get a better idea:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/22052012013.jpg/

Im gonna get diamond earrings but would like to wear something like those maybe during the day like when im at home etc

what are my Chances at BU/NYU?

Hey I'm really worried about my chances of getting into BU or NYU
I really want to go to either of these schools and have voiced my interest through a visit to the campus and their booth at a local college fail aswell as sending emails to one of the admissions reps.
I attend one of the top public high schools in the nation that is located in orinda, California
My stats over the past four years have not been stellar but I think my tests scores show my potential

GPA: 3.0 unweighted 3.14 weighted
Class Rank: Not Reported
SAT: 2040 Math 690 Reading 690 Writing 660
SAT II: US History 610 Biology 640
ACT: Composite 28 (not submitting)
AP Tests: Environmental Science -4 Planned Biology & Psychology
Senior class schedule
-Biotechnology
-AP Biology
-Pre-Calc (Maths not my strong suit)
-Government/Economics
-Psychology
-English 4
Classes by category
English- 4 years
Math -4 years
Science-5 years
Foreign language- 3 years spanish 1 year latin
Arts Classes- 3 years (1 year web design 2 years culinary arts)

Outside class
Outside of class I haven't been one of those gods of the community types but I think I have done a decent job making myself stand out
Sports
Crew-Freshman Year
Cross Country-sophomore and Junior years on the JV team
Tennis- all 4 years 2 years on JV serving as Captain and 2 years on Varsity going to the conference championship
Awards
During my junior year i was selected to AGATE (Academically gifted, Accelerated and talented education)
I was a silver Award winner in Latin being one of 5000 to win the award out of 130,000 people
I was awarded the presidents bronze award for community service as well

I have had job experience as well working as a tennis coach at the local tennis club for the past 4 years.

My essay was pretty strong I talked about how just recently while working at the homeless shelter in a nearby city I came to an epiphany about my high school career. I realized that i had to make the best of all situations and that no matter my opinion of the class or the material i have to put out my best effort and work hard and most importantly have fun with my work even though it might not seem fun. I thought it was pretty inspired

So in conclusion I know this is a wall of text and I know my GPA is alittle low but do I still have a chance to get into these schools?
also my college counselor at school told me that since my high school is so prestigious and difficult that college may add up to .3 to my GPA. Any info on that?