The semi-precious stone rock crystal is the frozen ice of truth in the depths of the mountains. This is what the ancient Indians believed. It is endowed with magical and healing powers by peoples all over the world - from China to Mexico.
Those who do not believe too much in the otherworldly wear jewelry with pleasure. Rock crystal combines the elegance of jewelry, the purity of natural water and the aristocracy inherent in natural crystals.
The affordable price of jewelry also adds to its popularity.
Origin story
Rock crystal is a natural stone (quartz) formed in the depths of the earth under the influence of high temperature and pressure.
The crystals have a rhombohedral structure, which can be seen already during their extraction. Rock crystal is a stone that does not have an unsightly top layer because it is formed in cracks in rocks (hydrothermal veins) when water cools suddenly.
In nature, it occurs in the form of conglomerates with a pronounced prismatic apex.
The history of use goes back to the pre-Christian era, and the geography coincides with the deposits:
- Magnifying glasses made in Ancient China, about 2500 years old. It is unknown how much natural glass lenses improved vision, but people were already using stone for their needs.
- Crystal skulls, balls, and other occult attributes that were popular among the Mayans. Their exact purpose is unknown, but researchers suggest that these are magical attributes.
- The practical ancient Greeks used rock crystal dishes to cool water.
In Russia, the fashion for products made from this stone was introduced by Empress Catherine the Great. Fine jewelry framed in precious metals adorned the dresses of not only ladies-in-waiting, but also noble nobles.
Stone care
Fans of rock crystal products have to take more care of their jewelry than owners of other talismans. Rock crystal has enormous magical power, and therefore it is important to take care of its energetic purity. But first things first.
How to care for a stone so that it does not lose its beauty:
- Clean crystal from dust and sebum using gentle products. Forget about laundry soap - just gentle, mild hand soap. You can take children's clothes, they are usually the most neutral.
- Let it dry after washing. Leave the decoration to dry on a napkin or dry it with a towel. The mineral does not tolerate temperature changes very well, so it is better to do without a hair dryer and drying it in the sun.
- Try not to drop it or hit it again. Remove it from the box carefully, threading the ear of the pendant through a chain or cord above the table so that it does not fall from a height. It would be good to store it in a piece of cloth or a separate bag.
And now about another, no less important, method of care. These tips will be useful to anyone who uses a gem for magical purposes - to perform rituals or protect against damage:
- Don't wear rock crystal all day long. This way the amulet will quickly deplete and lose some of its power. Take it off at night so it has time to rest.
- Give the crystal a bath. No bubble baths are required, but running the jewelry under running water before bed is a good idea. This will help dispel the negativity that has accumulated during the day.
- Clean the talisman with salt. Immerse it completely in salt and leave it overnight. The frequency of these procedures is a very individual matter. For some, once a month is enough, while for others, weekly cleanings are required. It depends on how often you encounter negativity.
Try to make sure that people you don't trust do not touch the amulet, otherwise it may stop working. It’s better not to talk about the fact that this thing protects you at all.
Physical properties
Rock crystal has the chemical formula of glass - silicon dioxide SiO2. However, like diamond and graphite (which are both pure carbon), rock crystal is distinguished from glass by its internal structure.
Glass structure is amorphous. Rock crystal has an ordered crystal lattice.
This gives the stone distinctive physical properties:
- density – 2.6 g/cm³;
- hardness – 7;
- fractured crystal structure;
- low thermal conductivity;
- no thermal expansion.
Rhinestone is difficult to scratch by hand. However, if hit, it will easily crack.
Description
Black crystal also has other names - smolyak, gypsy, morion. The mineral is a type of rauchtopaz (smoky crystal).
Morion can be colored black or dark brown. One of the features of the stone is its glassy luster.
In general, minerals of such colors are rarely found in nature. However, black crystal has this color due to radioactive radiation that affects the mineral in the places where it is deposited.
It is worth noting that during moderate heating, morion turns brown or yellow. And if the heating temperature is very high, then it can be achieved that black crystal becomes transparent. Subsequently, the stone can restore its color if it is exposed to X-rays.
Types of stone, color
Depending on the additives included in the composition, the following types are distinguished:
Citrine
Transparent stones with a glassy sheen, from lemon to amber-honey shades. Diamond cut yellow crystal pairs perfectly with gold.
It is believed that owners of jewelry with citrine are distinguished by exceptional honesty and nobility.
Amethyst
Purple rock crystal. According to legend, it was created by Bacchus himself, the god of wine. He endowed amethyst with the power to protect a person from the vice of drunkenness.
The stone helps its owners maintain sobriety and make the right decisions in difficult situations.
Hairy
An amazing, transparent amber stone with parallel veins inside in the form of needles. It is believed that the stone itself chooses its owner, for whom it becomes a love talisman.
Rauchtopaz
A dark, smoky stone with mysterious depth and power. He is endowed with the ability to communicate with the world of higher powers, including dark ones.
Jewelry with this stone is not worn every day. It helps a person with pure thoughts get rid of negative energy emanating from the world. Normalizes sleep and puts thoughts in order.
Especially recommended for people who practice meditation.
Morion
Black crystal. The stone is dark brown to black in color. It is considered an indispensable attribute of alchemy and occult magic.
Jewelry with morion is recommended for people prone to pessimism and melancholy as a means of cleansing from bad thoughts and negative energy.
A special type of rock crystal, the Herckmeier Diamond, is mined in New York State. The stones here are formed in soft rock, which allows them to grow not only longitudinally, but also in width.
The result is stones of amazing purity that are difficult to distinguish from real diamonds.
Color palette and varieties
There is a popular misconception among people who love jewelry: crystal is only transparent.
In fact, third-party impurities change the color of rock crystal beyond recognition. Many people don’t even suspect that this or that pebble is also rock crystal!
What species are found in nature:
- Citrine. A beautiful stone with a citrus name, a honey hue and an unusual cobweb inside, arouses the admiration of many ladies. Due to its effect on the solar plexus chakra, it is actively used in unconventional healing practices.
- Morion is black rock crystal. It is probably due to its color that it has gained a somewhat bad reputation. The gem is called the witches' stone; it is believed that it serves as a guide to the world of the dead, helping to make contact with spirits.
- Amethyst. Another type of crystal that combines completely transparent crystals and purple inclusions. An interesting legend is associated with it, according to which the beautiful nymph rejected the love of the god Dionysus. The story ended with the girl turning into a stone, which was named after her.
- Rauchtopaz. Among the listed stones, this is the most unremarkable, but at the same time the most unusual. Resembling tinted glass, it does not evoke the same excitement as amethyst or citrine. But external unattractiveness does not at all prevent the gem from having the strongest magical potential.
- Hairy. This mineral is easily confused with citrine. The difference is that it has a less saturated shade, and instead of a random cobweb, a strand of thin golden hair seems to be enclosed inside the mineral. For this reason, it received a very poetic name - the hair of Venus.
All these varieties differ in color and structure, but their physical and chemical properties remain unchanged.
Usage
Clear quartz is used to make jewelry. With a good cut, stones in rings and earrings sparkle no worse than a diamond.
Since its cost is more economical than premium, interior items, dishes, decorative elements, and figurines are in great demand. In this segment, artificial crystal is more often used.
Beyond competition are amulets, magic balls, ritual objects, religious symbols.
Quartz and industry were not spared. The stone is used in optics, instrument making, and radio engineering.
Czech crystal: advantages
Crockery made from Czech crystal is in high demand. This material is characterized by amazing transparency and a high level of strength. Crystal from the Czech Republic is obtained this way through the use of a special processing technique. The fascinating diffusion of light from the dishes looks elegant and expensive.
Czech glass and crystal tableware combines harmonious shapes and flowing patterns. It looks elegant on the table.
Crystal decanter
Cut crystal glasses
Czech crystal glassware is of a high level of quality. It is made by combining modern technologies and old traditions. The design is exclusive and unsurpassed. A large number of elements are performed manually. The product range is wide. It is represented by numerous wine glasses, glasses, vases, plates and much more.
Crystal bowls
Crystal tableware in a laconic design
Crystal candlestick
Meaning and magical properties
All peoples who use rock crystal endow it with positive otherworldly powers. The main direction is divination. An indispensable attribute of full-fledged fortune telling is a transparent crystal ball, skulls, and amulets of power.
It is believed that through the core of a natural crystal, spirits show the future, convey messages to the living, and warn of impending troubles.
Religious objects made of rock crystal are endowed only with the power of white magic. The ball does not allow you to cast a love spell, send misfortune or illness. He is only a conductor of otherworldly revelations, a mediator between two worlds.
The second direction of action of the power of rock crystal is protective:
- Earrings or beads will protect a waking person from the appearance of unclean thoughts.
- A bracelet on the left hand attracts love. On the right - it will not allow you to deceive the hostess, it will protect you from lies, hypocrisy and attempts at manipulation by other people.
- Brooches and rings, especially in combination with other stones, neutralize envy directed at the owner.
Rock crystal is of particular importance for a person’s mental health during sleep. With the help of the stone, you can correctly interpret dreams, and disturbing dreams will be replaced by calm and understandable dreams.
Just put the ring under your pillow and you will forget about nightmares.
Why do you dream of rock crystal?
Crystal not only attracts prophetic dreams, but sometimes itself appears to the sleeping person. In this case, it can warn about various incidents in life.
- Crystal in a dream is an unfavorable sign. It portends serious troubles, disappointments in people and natural disasters.
- If a woman saw this gem, then she needs to take a closer look at her lover. It is quite possible that he is not who he says he is.
- A crystal product received as a gift foreshadows universal recognition and admiration.
- A broken gem product speaks of a painful separation. It will be impossible to prevent this.
Medicinal properties
Traditional medicine uses rock crystal to treat nervous disorders, anxiety, and loss of energy associated with sleep disorders.
Ideally, if the stone suits you is rock crystal. Today it is difficult to find a city dweller who is not susceptible to depressive syndrome or does not experience periodic insomnia.
Healing properties of the stone:
- strengthens the nervous system;
- reduces tearfulness, tendency to explosive manifestations of feelings;
- relieves headaches;
- eliminates muscle tension;
- accelerates recovery from colds;
- Helps withstand high temperatures.
The practical medicinal use of the stone is well known to massage therapists. Traditional healers use physical therapy with polished stones to relieve back and neck pain.
This massage improves blood circulation, dilates blood vessels, soothes, and reduces blood pressure. It is especially useful for older people to wear rhinestone to relieve tension in the lower back.
Areas of use
The most common decoration element is silicon dioxide. However, cutlery is also often made from it, especially glasses and cups. The cost of such a service is now very high. In addition, the material is used for other decorative solutions. Sometimes it is used to decorate furniture, vases or picture frames. The mineral is also useful for industry:
- allows you to obtain ultrasonic vibrations;
- suitable for creating lenses;
- can be used to control light flows.
Thus, the material is used in various industries, including radio engineering, medicine, and astronautics. The reason for such widespread use is precisely the optical properties of the stone.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
Transparent rock crystal can be worn by all zodiac signs; there are no contraindications. The stone is tolerant and helps anyone.
Special preferences when choosing rock crystal according to zodiac signs:
- Amethyst prefers water and air signs, especially Pisces and Aquarius . But the lighter the stone, the more calming properties it has. Saturated crystals will help you make the right choice and give you strength.
- Morion is the choice of Scorpios . Impulsive and stubborn, they are a perfect match for the black gem.
- Herkimer diamonds are Aries . This is the only sign that ordinary rock crystal has almost no effect on. Those who stubbornly reach the top require a special mineral.
- Earth signs should avoid yellow stones - they burden an already clumsy psyche. They are ideal for Libra and Gemini .
- Rauchtopaz is an ideal mineral for Capricorns . It helps to cope with internal contradictions and become more attentive to others.
When choosing jewelry or an amulet, listen to yourself. Yours will be 100% the stone that evokes a response, a warm feeling.
Compatibility
Before purchasing such a mineral, you need to pay attention to how it combines with other elements of jewelry and the owner himself. Otherwise, the stone may harm the wearer and conflict with the energy of other minerals.
With zodiac signs
Different types of rock crystal can manifest themselves in completely different ways. For this reason, it is worth carefully studying the influence of each variety on a specific zodiac sign. The colorless stone has the softest effect, making it suitable for many people:
- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. The talisman will have a particularly strong connection with these zodiac signs. It will help them overcome difficulties, reduce negative emotions, and also attract good luck.
- Capricorn, Virgo. They also stand out for their good combination of energy. The stone protects them from bad habits, bad people, and mental disorders.
Rauchtopaz should be chosen by people prone to lies and self-deception. He will give them confidence and help them understand their own problems. It is also recommended to wear it to get rid of alcohol or drug addiction.
Citrine helps to reveal the best features of its owner. This type of crystal makes people more cheerful, enhancing positive emotions. Like its colorless counterpart, the mineral tends to attract good luck.
Amethyst is extremely effective for love difficulties. It gives trust, understanding, and protects against betrayal. In addition, it makes it easier to experience separation from loved ones.
Rutile quartz is absolutely safe for all zodiac signs, which makes it a unique stone. This stone is considered one of the best protectors against loneliness. It helps the wearer discover such useful qualities as tenderness and care.
It is important to know that all stones, except rutile quartz, cannot be worn by Aries and Sagittarius. For them, the amulet will cause failure. In addition, it will enhance their negative aspects, making them more unstable emotionally.
Morion deserves special attention. The black representative is picky. It can be very dangerous for all zodiac signs except Scorpio. For such people, the stone will reveal the secrets of those around them and help them identify lies. With a strong enough magical aura, the owner can try to look into the future or past.
Compatibility with other stones
All varieties, except Morion and Rauchtopaz, belong to the air element. For this reason, they go well with fire representatives, such as:
- ruby;
- amber;
- zircon;
- grossular.
It is safe to combine with other stones of the air element. However, such a combination will be less effective. The best compatibility is achieved with the following list of minerals:
- tourmaline;
- chrysolite;
- sapphire.
The relationship between rock crystal and stones of the water element is cold. Often this combination leads to negative effects. The calmest option is aquamarine. You should avoid wearing it together with hashenite in every possible way.
The element of Earth is completely unsuitable for Air. For this reason, the stones will begin to show aggression towards each other, which will lead to negative effects. However, morion and rauchtopaz belong specifically to the elements of Earth. This means that they should be combined with representatives of the water or earth elements.
Name compatibility
The greatest effect can be achieved if the mineral matches the name of its bearer. Silicon dioxide goes well with names that are associated with purity, truthfulness, light. The combination with Svetlana and Rodion will be especially favorable. The least effective effect of rock crystal will be with names containing the following meanings:
- rage;
- perseverance;
- war;
- Earth;
- darkness.
Thus, jewelry made from this material will not suit people with names such as Yaropolk, Adam or Erta. It is important to pay attention to the fact that because of the name, the stone will not harm a person. This only affects the degree of manifestation of magical properties.
Who is the name suitable for?
Rock crystal jewelry is so diverse that the owner of any name can easily choose a stone “to suit his heart”:
- Earrings, rings, bracelets, and a necklace with a pure stone cut in white gold will suit Anastasia They will emphasize her femininity and aristocracy.
- for Dmitry to choose rauchtopaz. He will balance their emotional outbursts.
- Alexandra can wear a necklace with morion. Her inner strength will only strengthen.
- for Catherine . This delicate stone will emphasize her grace, sensitivity, and tenderness.
- Yuri will be able to lead people more effectively if he wears a hairy ring.
Slavic names gravitate towards light shades. Greek - to more saturated. Amber stones give harmony to owners of eastern names.
Pendant and pendant
A frameless crystal on a cord or metal chain is distinguished by its originality and laconicism. Such a stone becomes a person’s personal amulet, protects him and brings good luck. Traditionally, pendants with crystal go well with white metal - silver, white gold, platinum. To complement evening outfits, you should choose polished crystals in a frame.
Jewelry
The semi-precious stone from the frozen ice of truth is used to make all types of jewelry. Rings, earrings, necklaces, beads, sets - all this can be chosen freely, since the price of the products is very affordable.
Approximate prices in dollars depending on the deposit of stones:
- Earrings and rings with small Herkimer diamonds – $5.
- Products made from Russian gems – $4-5, depending on size and cut.
- Magical items made from Brazilian stones will cost around $10-12.
- Tibetan stones go up to $25.
It should be understood that we give average prices. The cost of products varies depending on the artistic value and additional materials used.
Prices for rock crystal
The mineral is inexpensive - a high-quality specimen costs from $4 per carat or $20 per gram. A pebble up to 1.5 cm will cost $2, a bracelet made of small links will cost from $10, beads will cost from $20, a ball up to 60 mm will cost $26.
The cost of jewelry (earrings, rings, rings) depends more on the frame. Gold products are 10 times more expensive than comparable silver ones.
Valuable crystal includes collectible druses, figurines (Lalique or skulls), and balls carved from solid stone. They give hundreds or thousands of dollars for them.
Talismans and amulets
Rock crystal, regardless of its color, exhibits the strongest magical properties. A distinctive feature of stones is considered to have a positive effect on a person or home.
To one degree or another, talismans and amulets protect against envy, anger, love spells, and damage.
Rock crystal amulets help a person cope with his weaknesses - excessive emotionality, impulsiveness, a tendency to dependency (including from destructive relationships).
Talismans attract good luck, positive energy, and the favor of others into the house (or the owner). A wearable talisman can help you move up the career ladder, attract love, and gain popularity.
Amulets for the home will not allow people into it who come with evil thoughts. Such guests quickly become “uneasy” and begin to avoid visiting. To protect your home, it is enough to place a decorative element made of natural stone in the room.
There is only one piece of advice for choosing magical protection for yourself, your loved ones, and your home - listen to your heart. Your item will make itself felt with a warm feeling of calm and serenity.
What stones does it go with?
Precious and semi-precious stones are naturally energetically charged. Some enter into irreconcilable confrontation.
The most incompatible stones:
- rock crystal – topaz;
- amethyst - emerald;
- morion – zircon;
- citrine – onyx.
It is not recommended to combine stones of different elements in an outfit. For example, pearls, corals, and aquamarine are not combined with any mountain mineral.
Main conclusions
Rock crystal is a popular variety of quartz rock. Its crystals are distinguished by their pronounced shine and beautiful appearance, regardless of processing. Jewelers highly value this stone for its pronounced hardness and large size. Crystal jewelry has some nuances when worn:
- suitable for all zodiac signs;
- for an everyday look it is better to use massive jewelry without frames, for an evening look - small stones in precious metal;
- You should not wear more than 2-3 items in one look.
Crystal jewelry is distinguished by its wide variety and affordable price. With proper care, the stone will delight the owner with its brilliance and beauty for a long time.
Share your impressions of crystal jewelry and leave feedback in the comments.
How to distinguish a fake?
Colored stones are often counterfeited. To obtain morion, rock crystal is irradiated. To give a noble amber color, the stones are calcined.
However, more often than not, an inexperienced buyer is faced not with a fake, but with falsification, when painted glass or plastic is passed off as rock crystal.
You can distinguish natural stone from synthetic materials in the following ways:
- Warm it in your hand . The natural mineral will keep you cool, while the fake mineral will quickly reach body temperature.
- Scratch the surface . The stone is hard enough to be affected by metal. Scratches form on the surface of the glass.
- Assess color . The color of natural crystal is rarely uniform throughout the entire volume; there is haze, inclusions, and tone transitions.
- Evaluate transparency . Colored quartz is “tinted”.
The rounded edges, the presence of bubbles, and the seller’s reluctance to test the authenticity of the stone should suggest a fake.
Interesting Facts
- Emperor Nero kept wine in rock crystal vessels. Their drinks never lost their freshness and coolness.
- A skull made of transparent rock crystal, found during excavations at the site of Mayan settlements, is made in life size. Inside it is a system of lenses that make the eye sockets glow if a light source is placed from below.
- In Tibet, crystal balls were used as an antibacterial agent for open wounds. Sunlight passing through the ball effectively disinfected the surface.
- A certain Russian oligarch paid about a million dollars for a bathtub made of rock crystal. It was made by a Florentine company from a single piece weighing five tons.
Products from antiquity to the present day
Crystal skull in the British Museum
The ancient Greeks and Romans carved seals, vessels, and jewelry from rock crystal. A. Fersman wrote that Nero had two beautiful goblets carved from perfectly transparent crystals. Roman patricians cooled their hands with rock crystal balls in the summer. Incendiary lenses were cut out of crystals, with the help of which the priests lit the fire on the altars with “divine fire.”
In China and Japan, ideal balls were made, many of which are exhibited in various museums around the world. Thus, the US National Museum in Washington houses a Chinese-made ball with a diameter of 327 mm, close in shape to ideal.
In the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin there are various vessels made of rock crystal: the samovar of Peter I, carved from a single piece of rock crystal, a barrel, a pepper shaker, a mug, bowls, “hand-held”, etc. A collection of rock crystal dishes is available in the Museum of Art History in Vienna. In the American Museum of Natural History in New York there is a stamp of Russian work in the form of Atlas holding the globe on his shoulders.
In Russia XVIII-XIX centuries. snuff boxes, buttons, signets, and church utensils were cut out of rock crystal.
In the novel “Salammbô” G. Flaubert describes a Carthaginian temple in which a crystal egg resting on a copper column plays a mystical role. The Greek poet Onomacritus (5th century BC) believed that the gods were unable to refuse a person if he came to the temple holding rock crystal in his hands. Roman doctors at the beginning of our era used rock crystal balls as “burning glasses” to cauterize wounds.
Once upon a time in Europe, rock crystal was called “Arabic” or “Bohemian diamond”.
