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.
Why is rock crystal valued?
Rock crystal is most often found in the form of crystals with a size of 2-4 cm. Much less often you can find giant specimens - stones with a height of up to 2 meters.
Due to its natural density and transparent color, rock crystal has been used for quite a long time to create dishes, all kinds of crafts and jewelry.
In modern times, in many areas such stone has been able to replace ordinary glass. The use of crystals in precious items continues, but counterfeits are common.
However, only natural crystals have a pronounced shine and can complement elegant jewelry (various earrings, bracelets, pendants, beads, brooches, etc.). Quite often, rock crystal is complemented in products with other natural minerals, gold and silver frames.
Rock crystal is valued for a variety of uses:
- The fashion industry produces special perfume bottles made of rock crystal. The number of such copies is always limited, which makes them a desirable acquisition for collectors.
- Popular sets of dishes, boxes and home decor made from domestically produced crystal. Such items are distinguished by their sophisticated design and shape.
- Various awards for world-class awards are made from this stone (the bear is the main prize of the Berlin Film Festival, the Small Globe is for skiing).
- Almost any salon with esoteric accessories has an assortment of crystal balls for mediums, crystal pendants and accumulators of magical energy in the form of mineral druses.
- Today, transparent crystals are used quite widely in industrial fields - optical technologies, electronics. However, for such purposes, crystal is mined using an artificial method - crystals are grown in the laboratory (autoclaves are used).
The mineral is highly valued by jewelers for:
- high attractiveness even in unprocessed form;
- pronounced strength (about 7 points on the Mohs scale);
- resistance to acids and other highly aggressive chemical compounds;
- pronounced shine and looks advantageous regardless of the time of day (for example, a diamond is exclusively an “evening” stone)
- combines with stones of any level and price category, which allows you to create original and unusual combinations;
- the cost of crystal jewelry is 10 or more times less than diamond jewelry.
Note! One of the main advantages of crystal is the ability to create massive jewelry while maintaining a reasonable cost.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Earrings
Raw and polished minerals are used as decorative inserts for earrings. At the same time, the main advantage of inserts after the cutting procedure is the pronounced shimmer in the light, which resembles a diamond shine. For this reason, such products can be used in an evening outfit - earrings made of yellow or red gold will perfectly complement any look.
Rings, cufflinks and tie clips
Men's accessories and jewelry are made from cut stones. Jewelers use laconic white frames - silver, platinum, titanium, etc. In this case, rock crystal can be complemented with matte or shiny gems of a dark shade (for example, onyx).
Be sure to see: Properties and influence of sultanite stone
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.
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.
And a little bit of magic
Magical rock crystal is dedicated to the Moon for its transparency and purity. Therefore, it is used in women's rituals for the full moon.
Since the growing Moon helps increase income, there are also rituals using rock crystal to “grow money.” You just need to catch the ray of the growing moon in a mirror-polished ball and direct it to the banknotes. With a conspiracy, of course J
Rock crystal pyramids and “pencils” are a traditional object for meditation and working with the chakras. The stone “absorbs” the energy program well, so it is ideal for “animating” objects and creating “self-learning” talismans.
Astrologers recommend rock crystal to fire water signs - the stone extinguishes temper, helps control emotions and restrains impulsive actions.
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.
Legends about Morion
There are several interesting tales about black crystal. The first of them says that this mineral served as protective lenses for glasses worn by Pharaoh Tutankhamun himself. With their help, he protected his eyes from the bright rays of the sun.
Also, some chronicles have preserved data that in the Middle Ages, alchemists used the mineral to search for the mythical philosopher's stone. They hoped that black rock crystal would help them achieve their main goal - to learn how to turn base metals into gold.
There were rumors in Rus' that this mineral was in the possession of Morena. Legend has it that this heavenly maiden (goddess of death and winter) wore a ring with black crystal on her finger, which she received as a gift from the inhabitants of the dark kingdom. It was this decoration that endowed her with power and gave her immortality.
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.
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.
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.
How to check a stone for authenticity
When purchasing, you can easily check the natural origin of the stone. It is known that the mineral remains cool at any temperature, so to verify its authenticity, you can hold it in your hand for a short time, warming it up. The glass imitation will heat up to body temperature, while real crystal will remain cool.
The seller can prove the authenticity of origin with certificates of conformity for the product.
It is interesting that rock crystal can be passed off as more expensive stones - diamond, diamond. In this case, it is quite difficult to distinguish a fake; you need to contact a jewelry workshop for help.
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.
