Crystal healing harnesses the energy of gemstones to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, restoring balance and harmony.
1.What is a Crystal?
A crystal (crystal) was once known as “thousand-year ice,” water jade, water essence, water beryl, crystal stone, etc. It is a rare natural mineral, a type of gemstone, and a quartz crystal. In mineralogy, it belongs to the quartz family. Its main chemical composition is silicon dioxide (SiO₂).
2. Differences in Composition
Crystals that are made of highly pure silicon dioxide form clear and colorless crystals (this is the white crystal family).
When trace elements like aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) are present, they form pink, purple, yellow, or brown colors. Some crystals have color centers created by radiation, leading to different colors such as purple, yellow, and pink.
Crystals that are made of highly pure silicon dioxide form clear and colorless crystals (this is the white crystal family).
When trace elements like aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) are present, they form pink, purple, yellow, or brown colors. Some crystals have color centers created by radiation, leading to different colors such as purple, yellow, and pink.
Crystals that contain mineral inclusions are known as inclusion crystals (or companion crystals). These include varieties like rutilated quartz, green phantom quartz, and red hair quartz, which contain inclusions of minerals like rutile, tourmaline, quartz, mica, and chlorite.
Silicon dioxide is usually white, brown, or black. The color of silicon dioxide depends on its crystal structure and purity. High-purity silicon dioxide is usually white, while impurities can cause colors like brown or black. In nature, silicon dioxide can also appear in many different colors, such as purple, brown, black, etc.
When trace elements like aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) are present, they form pink, purple, yellow, or brown colors. Some crystals have color centers created by radiation, leading to different colors such as purple, yellow, and pink.
Crystals that are made of highly pure silicon dioxide form clear and colorless crystals (this is the white crystal family).
When trace elements like aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) are present, they form pink, purple, yellow, or brown colors. Some crystals have color centers created by radiation, leading to different colors such as purple, yellow, and pink.
Crystals that contain mineral inclusions are known as inclusion crystals (or companion crystals). These include varieties like rutilated quartz, green phantom quartz, and red hair quartz, which contain inclusions of minerals like rutile, tourmaline, quartz, mica, and chlorite.
Silicon dioxide is usually white, brown, or black. The color of silicon dioxide depends on its crystal structure and purity. High-purity silicon dioxide is usually white, while impurities can cause colors like brown or black. In nature, silicon dioxide can also appear in many different colors, such as purple, brown, black, etc.
Hardness is the ability of a gemstone to resist external forces like scratching, grinding, or pressure. Simply put, the higher the hardness, the harder it is to scratch the gemstone. The Mohs hardness scale is used to classify minerals, ranging from the softest talc (1) to the hardest diamond (10).
Crystals have a Mohs hardness of 7, which is about as hard as a steel file. Crystals are tough and difficult to melt, with a melting point of about 1715°C. Their boiling point is around 2477°C. Crystals hold strong natural energy and have many practical uses, including in optics, electronics, and decorative items. Crystals are essential to human life.
4. Crystal Structure
When silicon dioxide crystallizes perfectly, it forms crystals. Imperfectly crystallized forms are known as quartz, and when silicon dioxide gels and dehydrates, it forms agate. When silicon dioxide contains water and solidifies, it forms opal. When the crystal grains of silicon dioxide are less than a few microns, they form varieties like chalcedony, flint, and secondary quartz rock.
Perfectly crystallized quartz crystals belong to the trigonal crystal system and are typically six-sided prismatic crystals. Their surface often has horizontal striations, and the crystal points can be either single or double. Some crystals are very small, while others can weigh hundreds of kilograms. Their shapes vary widely.
Perfectly crystallized quartz crystals belong to the trigonal crystal system and are typically six-sided prismatic crystals. Their surface often has horizontal striations, and the crystal points can be either single or double. Some crystals are very small, while others can weigh hundreds of kilograms. Their shapes vary widely.
5. Natural Crystal Formation and Growth Conditions
Crystals mostly grow underground or in caves. They need a rich underground water source, containing saturated silicon dioxide. The pressure must be about two to three times greater than atmospheric pressure, and temperatures need to be between 550°C to 600°C. Over time, crystals form naturally following the trigonal crystal system, creating six-sided columnar shapes.
The main difference between the trigonal and hexagonal systems lies in their symmetry and unit cell parameters. In the trigonal system, crystals rotate around the main axis (z-axis) with the horizontal axis matching three times. In the hexagonal system, the horizontal axis matches six times.
The main difference between the trigonal and hexagonal systems lies in their symmetry and unit cell parameters. In the trigonal system, crystals rotate around the main axis (z-axis) with the horizontal axis matching three times. In the hexagonal system, the horizontal axis matches six times.
6. Why Are Natural Crystals Valuable?
In an ideal environment (where physical and chemical conditions are controlled), crystals grow at about 0.8mm per day. This is the standard growth speed for synthetic crystals. These man-made crystals are often cut into chips and used in electronics, computers, and communication industries.
In nature, however, the growing conditions like material, water quality, temperature, and pressure constantly change. Crystals require millions of years to reach the same size. This is why natural crystals are so valuable—they can take over 10 million years to form.
In nature, however, the growing conditions like material, water quality, temperature, and pressure constantly change. Crystals require millions of years to reach the same size. This is why natural crystals are so valuable—they can take over 10 million years to form.
7. Properties of Crystals
8. Manufacturing Process
The crystal manufacturing process includes several stages: rough cutting, molding, rough polishing, fine polishing, drilling, carving, sandblasting, gluing, quality checks, and packaging. Some items are faceted, flat, or hand-carved.
9. How to Tell Real vs Fake Crystals
Common Crystal Defects
1.Hairline Cracks: Small, internal cracks are often seen in clear crystals. These cracks may not affect the crystal much, especially when they have been healed over time.
2.Inclusions or Impurities: Inclusions are small particles trapped inside the crystal. These can be small fibers, gas bubbles, or other minerals, and they can affect the crystal’s appearance.
3.Large Cracks: Larger cracks caused by external forces or mishandling.
4.Growth Defects: Areas on the surface where other minerals have been included. These occur naturally during the crystal’s growth and are not caused by damage.
5.Damage: Crystals can be damaged during processing or from being dropped or struck.
2.Inclusions or Impurities: Inclusions are small particles trapped inside the crystal. These can be small fibers, gas bubbles, or other minerals, and they can affect the crystal’s appearance.
3.Large Cracks: Larger cracks caused by external forces or mishandling.
4.Growth Defects: Areas on the surface where other minerals have been included. These occur naturally during the crystal’s growth and are not caused by damage.
5.Damage: Crystals can be damaged during processing or from being dropped or struck.
Methods of Faking Crystals
Fake crystals are commonly made by adding decorative elements like trees or animals inside the crystal using glue. High-value crystals, like titanium quartz, are often faked by inserting synthetic titanium crystals into clear quartz.
