We don’t need to tell you that nature is pretty amazing. With the seemingly endless (and sometimes downright bizarre) variety of plant and animal life out there, there’s always something fascinating to see. But while living things usually get top billing, there’s also plenty of incredible beauty among the nonliving. If you don’t know how a rock could be interesting, just check out landscape agate.

Agate is always nifty, but landscape agate takes things to a whole new level.

These stones have colored striations that look like whole landscapes! This one looks like desert rock formations.

And this one looks like a little rural village. It’s incredible — and totally naturally occurring!

Agate, which is mainly made of silica, is known for its colorful patterns and markings.

You can see clouds, trees, skies, and more. Depending on how the stone is cut and polished, different features can be more or less visible.

Some are small, but no less impressive.

Some look like impressionist paintings.

Others look like sketches.

They’re popular with gem collectors, and some people make them into beautiful pieces of jewelry.

Others prefer to just appreciate them as they are.

Take a look at the agates below and see what kinds of landscapes you can make out!

(via Amusing Planet)

While diamonds and rubies and other precious gems have the sparkle factor going for them, there’s something to be said for the less flashy but more detailed and intricate beauty of landscape agates. They’re like tiny little worlds you can old in your hand!