Historical reference
Notoriety did not always follow Morion. Initially, it was used by artisans as a jewelry and ornamental stone:
- Among the artifacts found during excavations of Tutankhamun's tomb were glasses made from the thinnest morion plates equipped with bronze temples. Scientists suggest that they served to protect the pharaoh's eyes from the scorching rays of the sun.
- In ancient Rome, morion was used to make seals.
- Chinese masters in the 12th century. They made lenses for glasses and bottles for storing medicines from the mineral.
- During the Middle Ages, psychics and adherents of the occult and esotericism became interested in the powerful energy of black crystal. Alchemists, who considered morion to be one of the probable components of the philosopher's stone, believed that with the successful selection of the right spells, the creative forces hidden in it could be activated.
- In Europe in the second half of the 19th century, due to the fashion for gothic and decadence, products made of sparkling black crystals gained extraordinary popularity among representatives of high society. Morion inlays with death symbols engraved on their surface adorned rings, earrings, pendants and brooches, while bracelets and strings of shiny black beads wrapped around the necks, wrists and ankles of fashionistas and fashionistas of those times. Large, skillfully cut crystals were used as knobs for canes carved from ebony.
- In Russia, they learned about the mysterious black stone, which is an indispensable companion of topazes and aquamarines, at the end of the 18th century, after the discovery of the Ural deposits. Princess Dashkova, who then headed the Russian Academy of Sciences, was amazed by the beauty of the mineral and in 1787, on her orders, a druse of black quartz strewn with small crystals of rock crystal was delivered from Yekaterinburg, which became an exhibit in the mineralogical cabinet.
- Morion is used by the people of India and Tibet to achieve nirvana. Followers of Buddhism call morion the stone of Buddha, since, according to legend, it was from it that the Cup he received as a gift from the Guardians was made.
- In the 20th century Morion found application in radio engineering: its crystals, used as piezoelements, made it possible to stabilize radio waves.
Origin of the mineral
Black quartz began to be used for making objects in ancient times. In Egypt it was used to create something like sunglasses. Thin plates were decorated with bronze bows to make them comfortable to wear. In Rome, morion was intended to create seals; in China, it was used to make bottles of potions and medicines.
The fashion for morion spread in the 19th century due to the popularity of decadence. Europeans were buying up everything Gothic, so jewelers remembered the mourning stone. In high society it became fashionable to wear bracelets, earrings and beads with morion.
In the twentieth century, morion attracted the attention of scientists; it began to be used in radio electronics. It acted as a piezoquartz and stabilized radio waves well.
Where is it mined and used?
The process of formation of black quartz takes place in geysers or miarolite voids. Crystallization is possible only in areas with volcanic eruptions. Mining takes place in many countries around the world:
- Switzerland;
- Canada;
- Egypt;
- USA;
- Madagascar;
- Brazil;
- Russian Federation (Ural and Transbaikalia);
- Scotland;
- Ukraine (Volyn region);
- South African Republic;
- Kazakhstan.
One of the interesting features of the mineral is its enormous size. The weight of one can reach several tons. Kazakh stones are among the record holders; they can reach 70 tons. In second place are Ukrainian stones; they can weigh more than 10 tons.
Important. Gemologists recommend avoiding purchasing crystals from Arkansas in the United States. They are refined using radiation. Therefore, buying a beautiful mineral can result in health problems.
How to distinguish from a fake
There are often fakes on sale; instead of crystal, it is easy to buy products from:
- plastics;
- glass;
- epoxy resin.
However, a Morion crystal can be distinguished from a fake in the following ways:
- Take a needle to scratch the stone. There will be no traces left on the natural one, but the shavings will give away the fake.
- Pay attention to the weight. Natural stone is always heavier than plastic or glass.
- Consider the market value of the mineral. Usually fakes are much cheaper.
- Warm the stone in your hands. If it is warm, then the object is made of plastic or glass. The mineral always remains cold.
- Examine the stone; the coloring will indicate a fake. The natural mineral has a heterogeneous color - at the base it is almost colorless. This sign is especially characteristic of large stones containing rock particles. Their surface often has many small cracks, and the structure is characterized by the presence of irregularities, inclusions or air bubbles. If there are no external defects, then the stone remains a simple piece of glass or plastic.
To avoid mistakes, try to make purchases in jewelry stores with a good reputation. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of the mineral, ask to see the quality certificate.
Place of Birth
The mineral morion crystallized over millions of years in places of volcanic eruptions. Gem deposits are found in many countries on all continents.
It is supplied to the market in industrial quantities by:
- Ukraine (Volyn region);
- Russian Federation (Ural);
- Kazakhstan;
- Brazil;
- USA;
- Canada;
- Switzerland;
- South African Republic;
- Scotland;
- Madagascar;
- Egypt.
Morion crystals are interesting because they can reach enormous sizes. Often the entire deposit, in fact, consists of one single stone. The record-breaking minerals in terms of mass are Kazakh; their single crystals can weigh up to 70 tons. In second place are specimens from Ukraine weighing more than 10 tons.
Place of extraction
Morions are formed in greisen, miarolite voids of pegmatites, and pneumatolite-hydrothermal veins. Today, the extraction of microcrystals, sometimes reaching hundreds of kilograms, is carried out in many areas of our planet:
- Russia (Ural, Transbaikalia);
- Ukraine (Volyn);
- Kazakhstan;
- Canada;
- Brazil;
- Madagascar;
- USA.
Mined raw mineral morion
When purchasing a jewelry stone, gemologists do not recommend choosing minerals that are mined in Arkansas (USA). It is believed that in order to achieve the reference appearance, these crystals are exposed to radiation that can harm human health.
Physical and chemical properties
Morion is a heterogeneous smoky mineral. There are options for different arrangement of layers:
- The core is milky quartz.
- The shell is transparent rock crystal.
- Next comes smoky quartz.
- Behind him is Citrine.
- The final layer is Morion.
The stone has the following properties:
Mineral parameters | Their contents |
Chemical formula | SiO2 |
Crystals | Large, well-formed aggregates. |
Color | Black, dark brown, brown, gray. |
Transparency | Opaque, translucent. |
Cleavage | Absent. |
Shine | Glass. |
Mohs hardness | 7 |
Density | 2.651–2.68 g/cm³ |
Impurities | Titanium and iron atoms in small quantities. |
Refractive index | 1,54–1,56 |
It has a crystalline structure represented by hexagonal prisms or triangular pyramids. The mineral is dissolved by hydrofluoric acid.
Colors and varieties
Druze of Morion crystals
The color range of Morion is not very diverse. Low-transparent crystals of black, dark brown or black-brown color are mined.
But jewelers have learned to change the color of the stone, and quite dramatically. Thus, when heated to 300–320°C, the mineral acquires a yellow or completely transparent color. In the first case, it can be confused with the precious yellow topaz or citrine, widely used in the jewelry industry.
Heating to 400°C completely discolors the mineral, turning it into an analogue of rock crystal. The original color can only be restored through radiation. In this case, the geological value is lost, but products with such stones look quite impressive, since when rotated the stones acquire a purple or greenish tint.
Variety
Quartz comes in several colors. Types of stone include:
- Rauchtopaz;
- Amethyst;
- Rhinestone;
- Citrine.
Changes in crystal shades depend on the composition:
- silica;
- iron;
- titanium.
The presence of impurities changes the color. The crystal acquired its color as a result of radioactive exposure, but when exposed to temperature, the color disappears. Black and brown shades of the mineral are given by admixtures of iron and titanium. Jewelry production made the stone popular by subjecting it to heat treatment. The fashion trends of the 19th century also influenced the occult. The crystal has become a symbol of mourning.
The stone is naturally opaque. The color scheme appears:
- Haze is created by the color brown.
- The color saturation comes from an admixture of structural aluminum.
- Color is affected by interaction with gamma radiation.
- Quartz may contain inclusions of rutile (titanium oxide), similar to golden-yellow needles, creating an unusual optical effect.
- The mineral will fade to gray when exposed to light.
- At temperatures from +300 to +400 °C it will turn yellow.
- If the stone is slowly heated to +300 – +320 °C, the color becomes warm, like tea topaz.
The simplest way to transform quartz into topaz was discovered by Ural jewelers: they began to bake it into bread. Polychrome crystals (consisting of several layers) are valued on the jewelry market. Treated stones from different viewing angles can change color from green to purple (pleochroism).
Medicinal properties
The crystal, which has a powerful magical effect, contains useful meaning for humans. Anyone who wants to get rid of an illness must believe in healing, because a healing stone can protect. Modern healers believe that it is endowed with medicinal properties:
- Analgesic effect.
- Relieving insomnia.
- Improves blood circulation.
- Providing assistance after stroke and heart attack.
- Cleansing effect.
- Eliminating cravings for drugs, gambling, and alcohol.
The stone can influence the human soul. When worn regularly, the mood improves, so the crystal is needed by people whose soul needs healing:
- from negative energy;
- to relieve tension;
- restoration of strength after the loss of loved ones;
- transforming negativity into a positive state (attacks of anger, jealousy, fear).
Traditional healers recommend handling the crystal carefully. The stone has an unusual side effect: patients' sleep becomes deeper and longer. But it does not bring rest.
Important!
Note! The crystal has the ability to absorb negative manifestations. Negative energy can have a detrimental effect on a person. To prevent this from happening, wash it regularly in holy or running water.
How to care for morion
Morion should definitely be stored separately from other types of minerals, as it does not like neighbors. Jewelry with it cannot be worn constantly without taking it off. To cleanse them, cool running water is used, and it is necessary to clean the gem from accumulated negative energy as often as possible.
Magical properties of morion
Druse of Morion ring “The Secret of Life”
The powerful energy of Morion attracts people who are actively involved in magic and are convinced that its black crystals:
- Able to open channels through which information about the deceased can be obtained;
- They have incredible magical powers that influence the owner;
- They can take revenge on their owner and drive him crazy;
- During spiritualistic seances they play the role of a bridge connecting the world of the dead and the world of the living and making it possible to communicate with the souls of the departed.
Magical properties of morion:
- They allow it not only to protect its owner from the effects of negative energy (damage, the evil eye and energy vampirism), but also to process it, transforming it into positive.
- They help their purposeful owner achieve well-being in the fastest way, since the beneficial influence of the stone forces him to focus on truly important goals, without wasting himself on trifles.
- They enable creative individuals to fully realize their potential, reach the heights of professionalism, discover new talents and achieve success in the most daring creative experiments.
However, only those who intend to use their talents for the benefit of other people will receive the support of a gem.
Important!
The conscious intention to harm someone will result in the crystal turning the attacker's negativity against him.
That is why - contrary to prevailing stereotypes - Morion crystals are never used in black magic sessions.
Description of the stone
Black quartz, black rock crystal (see rock crystal) are all different names for the same gem - morion, a hexagonal crystal of black or dark brown color.
There are minerals in nature that are similar in appearance to morion, but differ in properties:
- rauchtopaz (smoky quartz) is a dark gray crystal that can easily be confused in appearance with morion, the main difference is that it is more transparent;
- obsidian is a black mineral that is similar in appearance to morion, but differs from it in density (much more fragile) and transparency (more transparent);
- selenium is a black crystal, fragile and difficult to cut;
- stantienite (a variation of amber) is a matte black mineral that differs from morion in that it is very fragile.
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Talismans, amulets, amulets
Ring with morion “Southern Nights...”
Morion is ideal for making amulets, talismans and amulets that can:
- Protect the owner from damage and the evil eye.
- Eliminate the effects of depression and stress.
- To develop organizational skills in the owner of the stone and support his desire for creativity.
- Make it easier for its owner to achieve his goals (financial well-being, rapid career growth, universal recognition).
- Smooth out the pain of losing loved ones.
Morion, used as a talisman or talisman, should be set in silver or platinum, since only they can normalize its powerful energy.
Morion crystal ring “Power of Life”
Any warm-colored metals (all types of gold, bronze, red copper), which enhance and multiply the magical effect of the stone, can provoke an unexpected effect.
When using morion as an amulet or talisman, the following rules must be observed:
- Once chosen, do not change again;
- Do not give into the hands of strangers;
- Don't tell anyone about the stone;
- Regularly cleanse the gem from negative energy absorbed by the stone from the surrounding space, holding it under running water;
- Do not be upset when the stone cracks or is lost, as these events indicate that the magical item has completed its mission.
Scope of application
Black morion is used in various service sectors and scientific industries. In the 20th century, morion began to be used not only as a jewelry and ornamental stone, but also in radio electronics.
Morion is also used in jewelry and stone cutting. Jewelers often frame black shiny pieces with silver or platinum. Stone cutters make balls, decorative figures, and inlays from the mineral.
Chess from Morion
Morion application table
At home |
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In electronics |
|
In medicine |
|
In cosmetology |
|
In construction |
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In jewelry |
|
What happens and how different types differ
As a variety of quartz, morion comes in a variety of colors and shades. It is not called a gem for nothing, because in nature it can be:
- citrine;
- crystal;
- tiger's eye and other stones, which are rightly considered varieties of black morion.
As for the palette, there are no restrictions here either. Quartz can be either completely colorless or green, purple and even blue.
In nature, black morion is not found so often, so they learned to obtain it artificially in the laboratory. How to distinguish real morion from a fake? To do this, just look at the stone in the light. If you can see objects through it, it’s an original; if not, it’s a synthesized copy.
Product prices
The cost of morion depends on the following factors:
- varieties;
- masses;
- degree of transparency.
Morion ball
A 5mm cabochon can be purchased for $1, and a faceted crystal can be purchased for no more than $3 per carat.
The price of jewelry largely depends on the value of the setting. For example, a silver pendant costs $30 - $50.
Examples of prices in online stores:
- cabochon (22 x 26 x 13 mm) - $10;
- bracelet (beads diameter 10 mm) - $12;
- ring (nickel silver) - $30;
- pendant (druze) (4.5 x 3.5 cm) - $34;
- pendant - $45;
- beads (bead size 12, 10, 8 mm, bead length 50.7 cm) - $120;
- crystal (13.4 x 5.2 x 5.1 cm) - $160;
- intergrowth of crystals (10.4 x 9 x 6 cm) - $190;
- earrings - $200;
- ring (925 sterling silver) – $250.
How to wear and care properly
Caring for products with morion is not difficult. But there are important conditions that help preserve the pristine beauty of the stone.
- It should be protected from direct sunlight: under their influence, the black crystal begins to fade.
- He is also afraid of high temperatures.
- Products with black quartz should not be kept in the same box with other jewelry. This can lead to disruption of the energy not only of Morion, but also of other inhabitants of your collection.
- Cleaning the stone with abrasive agents is not recommended. It is better to use special “cosmetics” sold in jewelry stores. It allows you to clean not only the crystals, but also the gold or silver in which they are framed.
Morion looks very impressive. But you shouldn’t wear it all the time (this recommendation does not apply to magicians, sorcerers and fortune tellers).
Black quartz morion: myths and legends
We are talking about the mineral, a black variety of quartz formed in pegmatites. The stone is used equally successfully both in the jewelry world and in industry. In the first, it adorns inexpensive and exclusive jewelry; in the second, it plays the role of an important piezoelectric element. It is even used for an aquarium, as a stone for designer decor.
Since ancient times, special properties have been attributed to the mineral. It was considered the stone of gypsies and sorcerers primarily because of its unusual gloomy appearance. Plates of this mineral were worn in the form of sunglasses by Pharaoh Tutankhamun himself. Medieval alchemists believed in the special power of morion, using it to search for the philosopher's stone, which could turn simple objects into gold.
The ancient Russian people created a special beautiful legend about the mineral. It was believed that Morion got its name thanks to Morena, a maiden who went over to the dark side. According to legend, she became a witch only because she could not overcome her craving for gold. To get closer to her dream, the maiden went to live with Koshchei the Immortal. He presented her with a beautiful ring with a black morion, which at the same time personified all the evil of that time - a symbol of immortality.
The ancient Greeks translated the name of the stone as “blacken.” Again, this is due to the unusual color and overall appearance.
It’s easy to visually recognize jewelry with morion even from a photo. It is truly an almost black or glassy black quartz with a hexagonal shape. The mineral gets this shade due to the radioactive radiation affecting it.
If morion is heated, its color will change to yellow or brown depending on the degree of heating. At the highest heating temperature, the stone completely loses color. The original shade can only be restored through repeated X-ray irradiation.
How to recognize a fake
Morion jewelry
Natural morion stone is not at all difficult to find on sale. The price of such products is low. So, five-millimeter cabochons cost about one dollar apiece. Crystals that have been faceted are valued at two dollars per carat.
However, the cost of fakes made of plastic or glass is even lower. By passing off such counterfeits as genuine minerals, scammers are essentially making money out of thin air. The methods by which you can bring them to clean water are quite simple.
- Try scratching the product with a pin or needle. You cannot damage a natural crystal.
- Press the stone against your skin. The thermal conductivity of plastic and glass, unlike any rock, is very high. This means that a fake made from these materials will instantly heat up from the heat of your body.
- Study the product documentation in detail. Sometimes scammers, in order to avoid punishment for counterfeiting, write the name of the imitation stone in quotation marks on the packaging. In this case, the inspection authorities are told that they honestly warned the buyer that they were selling a dummy.
The problem with fakes is not only that you buy a piece of glass at the price of morion. Such imitations cannot boast of any magical and healing properties of the original. So a potential amulet should be purchased only in trusted stores with an impeccable reputation.
How to spot a fake
When purchasing a stone, it is important to determine whether it is a fake or a real gem. Synthetic crystals are not currently produced, since natural reserves are significant. But there is a possibility that it is not valuable minerals that are inserted into the earrings or ring, but irradiated transparent quartz. There are several ways to check this. The following signs indicate a fake:
- complete lack of transparency on sections;
- intense glossy surface shine;
- color transition to white or gray.
The cost of a fake will be low, which should also be a warning when purchasing.
Raw mineral
Who is suitable according to the zodiac
Morion is a truly mysterious mineral. Astrologers still cannot come to a consensus on whether he is suitable for Leo. Some believe that the stone is useful for representatives of this zodiac sign to wear, as it develops their eloquence and leadership qualities. Others believe that the mineral can harm the signs of the element of Fire (Leo, Aries, Sagittarius) due to energetic incompatibility.
- There is also no consensus on the effect of the magical properties of morion on Scorpio. Some believe that this mineral will help a person born under this constellation not to make mistakes and not to cause ill will and hostility in others. Others warn that the dark powers of the stone can be activated by interaction with the energy of Scorpio, who is prone to mysticism.
- Most astrologers believe that Morion is ideal for Capricorn and helps achieve goals. But others believe that such a person should not wear this stone, but that it is better to use it as an interior decoration - then peace and tranquility will reign in the house.
- There is also no consensus on the effect of the mineral on Libra and Cancer. It will help to avoid mistakes in decision making, but some astrologers warn that, on the contrary, the chosen options for solving problems can sometimes be incorrect.
- Pisces will feel the help of the mineral in choosing the right behavior in various situations, and the people around them will treat them kindly.
- Gemini will not succumb to deception and bad habits, and will be able to achieve material well-being.
- Virgo will also gain financial well-being and become a successful person.
- Aquarius will feel the help of Morion in discovering talents and getting rid of unpleasant thoughts.
- Taurus will be able to get rid of obsessive thoughts, formulate life goals for himself, and become more decisive.
All zodiac signs for which Morion is not contraindicated need a “clean” stone that has not been used in any rituals. But jewelry made from it should not be worn constantly.
Morion and zodiac sign
Pure Morion will help Cancer and Libra make clear decisions without long-term doubts. Other zodiac signs can also use this stone as an assistant, but one must be very careful with it and immediately stop contact with it at the slightest negative influence.
Mineral Compatibility
Quartz stone is very self-sufficient and does not need the company of other stones. This applies to cases where crystals are used in jewelry. When working with black crystal, magicians and soothsayers often use rock crystal, which allows them to clarify the information raised from the bottom of the subconscious by the mysterious morion.
If a mineral used for magical practices has become too active, it can be balanced with a pink crystal. To do this, the minerals must be in close proximity to each other. Second option: one is clamped in the right hand, the other in the left.
Origin story
The precious stone has long enjoyed a bad reputation. The crystal is one of the varieties of black quartz. It is classified as a semi-precious stone and is called a black diamond. The name comes from the Latin “mormorion” (meaning “dark crystal”).
In Rus', Morion was called “gypsy” and “smolyak” for her black color. The crystal appeared in ancient times. Household items were made from it:
- It is known that during excavations of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Thebes, glasses made of thin plates were found. The pharaohs were the first to discover the possibility of using the gem as a protective agent for the eyes.
- Ancient finds of items from Morion include the Buddha Bowl.
In Russia they learned about the mineral when Ekaterina Dashkova, director of the Russian Academy, brought it from Yekaterinburg in 1787.
Morion's popularity falls during the era of decadent sentiments in 19th-century Europe, reflected in the views of Victorian England.
The mineral is widely distributed:
- In Europe;
- Kazakhstan;
- Africa;
- Asia;
- America.
Jewelry production uses the mineral after annealing. The processed crystal becomes Citrine.
Best time to buy
Pendulum from Morion
Not only energy compatibility is of key importance for a person, but also the time of purchase of the stone. To determine it, it is best to focus on the rhythms of the lunar month. It is worth buying a stone and connecting to it on days when the mineral has the weakest energy. For Morion this is the 5th lunar day.
It is on this day that you should take the crystal with the fingers of your left hand and say words that will determine your relationship with the mineral in the future. If you want the stone to help solve health problems, the phrase “I am the master, you are the healer” will be relevant. If you want morion to act as a talisman against the evil thoughts of others, then the best solution would be the words “I am the master, you are the protector.” The ritual is repeated for 14 days. Jewelry with black crystal is not worn at this time.
After two weeks (19th lunar day), the energy potential of Morion reaches its maximum value. At lunar noon, the stone is taken with the right hand and put on the body in any convenient way. The jewelry is for its intended purpose, the crystal is in a bag. This way the healing and magical properties of morion will reach their maximum, and it will serve its owner well.
Price and favorable time to buy
Jewelry made from minerals belongs to the middle price segment, for example:
- the ring costs about 25,000 rubles,
- earrings – 20,000 rubles,
- pendant – 20,000 rubles,
- bracelet – 30,000 rubles.
It is best to purchase them on the 8th lunar day so that the stone can express itself to its maximum.
Do you have morion jewelry? Or do you prefer a different variety of quartz? Share your opinions in the comments and repost so that more people know about your choice.