The Ultimate Guide to Crystals & Stones: A Practical Path to Personal Power, Self-Development, and Healing - Uma Silbey 2016
Physical Description of Minerals and Gemstones
Basic Crystal and Stone Information
A mineral is also a material that is formed through naturally occurring geological processes. Typically, they are solid as well as crystalline in nature. More than four thousand different types of minerals have been discovered and classified. Unlike rocks, however, each mineral has a characteristic chemical and physical composition that is unique only to itself and a highly ordered atomic structure. A mineral begins forming from a tiny seed crystal to which, due to electrical attraction, atoms migrate and attach themselves to its outer face. The growth of the mineral moves outward from the center as atoms continue to attach themselves, in multidimensional patterns. The various patterns arise directly from the kinds of atoms they contain and the arrangements these atoms make inside of them as they cling together in lattices. These geometric patterns, eventually enclosed by flat planes that we call “faces,” create various physical shapes, each shape a reflection of the crystal’s internal atomic order. When the crystal has an open space in which to grow, well-structured faces form and it can grow large. Likewise, when the space is confined, there are no crystal faces and the mineral resembles large or small chunks.
Besides the specific crystalline structure, the physical properties of minerals include hardness (measured by the Mohs scale of hardness), the amount of light reflection (luster), and color. Other more complicated properties include such things as fracture, cleavage, streak, and density. Though sometimes made up of just one chemical element, usually a mineral is made up of two or more. For example, fluorite is made up of fluorine and calcium, while a diamond is made up of only carbon. A quartz crystal is actually a mineral, which chemically is silica or silicon dioxide. Interestingly, the color of a mineral results when one or another wavelength of light is absorbed, and then when we look at the mineral these wavelengths reach our eye to be seen as color. Color, then, is a result of the interaction of our eyes and the wavelengths … of the seer and the seen.
The Seven Crystal Systems
To classify crystals, there are seven crystal systems, each based on their atomic structure or lattice, a three-dimensional network of atoms that are arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The shape of the lattice determines the appearance of the crystal as well as all of its physical properties.
The seven crystal systems are as follows:
1. Cubic or isometric system, based on a square inner structure, resembles a six-, eight-, or twelve-sided box. Typical cubic crystals include diamond, fluorite, gold, spinel, garnet, and silver.
2. Tetragonal system, based on a rectangular inner structure, looks like a cube with one elongated side. Four-sided prisms and pyramids, trapezohedrons, eight-sided and double pyramids are included in this system. Typical tetragonal crystals include zircon, chalcopyrite, scapolite, wulfenite, and rutile.
3. Hexagonal system, based on a hexagonal six-sided inner structure, includes four-sided prisms and pyramids, twelve-sided pyramids, and double pyramids. Common hexagonal crystals include morganite, aquamarine, apatite, emerald, sugilite, beryl, and goshenite.
4. Trigonal system (also called rhombohedral system), based on a three-sided or sometimes a six-sided triangular inner structure. This system includes agate, calcite, hematite, quartz, rubies, amethyst, carnelian, rhodochrosite, tourmaline, aventurine, citrine, phenakite, and sapphire. Rose quartz is included in this group even though it seldom crystalizes.
5. Orthorhombic system (also called rhombic system), based on a rhombic (diamond-shaped) inner structure that may look like two pyramids stuck together. Crystals included in this group include alexandrite, iolite, zoisite, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, celestite, danburite, and topaz.
6. Monoclinic system, based on a parallelogram inner structure with inclined end faces. Included in this crystal system are azurite, howlite, moonstone, serpentine, chrysocolla, diopside, lazulite, gypsum, kunzite, and mica.
7. Triclinic system, based on a triclinic inner structure that usually has paired faces and three inclined angles. Typical crystals included in this system include amazonite, labradorite, rhodonite, kyanite, turquoise, and aventurine feldspar.
Finally, there are also amorphous minerals that have no crystal structure at all, either because they cooled too quickly, or are organic in origin. Falling within this category are amber, opal, and obsidian. Moldavite, though falling into this same category since it has no crystal structure yet is classed as a mineral, does not originate from this planet, but is actually a type of meteorite.
This pyrite cluster is an excellent example of cubic crystals. Pyrite brings both the energy of the earth and the sun. Heavily grounding, it also stimulates the intuitive third eye subtle energy center.
Besides their color and type, these shapes classifying the seven mineral systems can be used in crystal and stone work because their various forms can directly influence their metaphysical properties, each form bringing subtle differences to each crystal beyond their color, transparency, and other properties. In other words, because each shape is a pattern of nature’s energy movement frozen in a particular space, each shape will create differing energetic effects. This language of geometric design, as the ancients observed, supports every level of the universe, from the most basic atomic structures to the galaxies and throughout all life. These seven geometric shapes in the minerals, reflecting what is known as “sacred geometry,” mirror the seven elemental harmonics of creation, the seven major hormonal glands in the human body, and the seven cavities of the skull. Each shape also represents a corresponding element and energy chakra within the human subtle body and can be used to work with them accordingly. The cube, for example, represents the earth element and the base or root chakra. The icosahedron with twenty faces and twelve corners works with the sacral (second) chakra and the element of water. The tetrahedron, with four faces and corners, works with the solar plexus and the element of fire. The octahedron, with eight faces and twelve edges, works with the air element and the heart chakra. The dodecahedron, with three pentagons meeting at each corner and twelve faces, corresponds to the throat chakra and the element of ether. The star tetrahedron, containing joined tetrahedrons (one pointing up and the other down) works with the third eye and the light element. The crown is represented by the sphere or crystal ball and represents higher consciousness. The more we become aware of the energies associated with each shape, the more flexibility we have in our energetic work with stones and crystals. Cubed crystals, for example, associated with the earth element, can be used very effectively for grounding and feeling safe and secure on the physical plane. The pyramid shapes of a trigonal system can easily be used to receive and send messages. The uses are as endless as our ability to discern their energies and to then listen to the guidance within.
Gold tetragonal rutile crystals are embedded within this clear quartz crystal ball. The sphere or crystal ball represents the crown and higher consciousness. Many feel that the rutile formations can be used for divination or travel within the higher realms.
Gemstones
A gemstone is a mineral. A definition of a gemstone is much less precise than definitions of rocks and minerals, as the concept of what comprises a gem is based solely on human judgment, which changes depending on cultural and personal valuation. Generally, a gemstone is defined as a highly valuable and attractive piece of mineral, more often than not cut and polished. Beyond that, its rarity is determined by what is being mined at the time. A good example is amethyst, which used to be rare and thus highly prized by gem collectors. Now it is fairly common and prized less as a gem and more for its metaphysical and healing qualities. However, some rocks prized as gemstones are composed not of one mineral, but of several. An example of this is lapis lazuli, which is composed of sodalite, pyrite, and calcite, among other minerals. Other gems are not rocks at all, nor do they have any crystalline structure that would normally denote them as gems. Examples of this are amber and coral. Paradoxically, though formed from organic materials, they are not described as organic. Amber, formed from hardened tree sap, is classified as mineral-like, or mineraloid, and is one example of this type of gem. Another example of a mineraloid is opal, also highly prized as a gem. Ultimately, rather than any precise definition, what comprises a gem is in the eye of the beholder.
This gem-quality madeira citrine, set in fourteen-karat gold, brings both solar and fire energy that we can use to help us manifest all that we envision.
Quartz Crystals
Natural quartz crystals, one of the most common minerals on the planet, sometimes referred to in ancient tradition as the energetic veins of the earth, the bones of our ancestors, or as frozen light, or frozen water, are formed naturally from the elements silicon and water through a lengthy geologic process involving heat and pressure. Found throughout the world and in many geologic environments, quartz crystals have a specific crystalline form, a hexagonal arrangement of stacked together atoms in parallel, corkscrew-like chains, continually repeated to form a spiraling lattice. The quartz crystals have no mirror symmetry of the various faces and either are right-handed or left-handed crystals. A right-handed crystal is one in which there are small faces that cut into the main face on the right side, while a left-handed crystal has these faces cutting into the left side. Both right and left-handed crystals seem to occur with about the same regularity (see Time Link Crystals in Chapter Five). Quartz crystals grow into a large number of shapes, but because their structure is the same at an atomic level, they all share the same physical characteristics (and some energetic characteristics) no matter what their shape. The ideal shape, though few crystals are so simple as this, is a six-sided prism with six-sided pyramid-like terminations at each end. There are six faces belonging to the central part of the crystal, then three larger, roughly triangular faces at the crystal’s ends, then three more smaller, usually triangular, additional faces that are also at the end. If you look downward to the top of the point, you will, in a well-developed quartz crystal, see a six-pointed arrangement. Variations of the relative sizes of these faces explain the various shapes in which quartz crystals are found. No matter the variations of the faces, the angles between the faces are always the same. Sometimes we can see two crystals that are grown into each other. We call these twins. Twinning can produce even more than two crystals intergrown, which can be seen as a family. Differing rates of growth, then, in different directions usually change the shapes of crystals significantly.
Found throughout the world and in many geologic environments, quartz crystals grow into a large number of shapes, but because their structure is the same at an atomic level, they all share the same physical characteristics (and some energetic characteristics). However, the ideal shape is a six-sided prism with six-sided pyramid-like terminations at one or both ends.
Quartz crystal is not the only mineral formed of silica. There are other forms of silica that have different crystalline forms than quartz (tetragonal or monoclinic) or are entirely non-crystalline but have the same silica chemical composition. Some examples of these stones are opal, flint, chert or chalcedony, jasper, carnelian, chrysoprase, and agate.
Quartz itself can range from water clear or, as a result of the introduction of impurities, purple amethyst, smoky quartz, rose quartz, or citrine. It can very often be found as solid, milky white veins cutting through various kinds of rocks, formed as it grew in cracks or fissures. When formed without open spaces, quartz crystalizes in small, roundish masses. It is when there are open spaces, or vug, that quartz can be found in its six-sided crystalline form as single crystals or in clusters of points. When rocks bearing quartz are eroded and weathered, the grains of quartz, which don’t erode through weathering, are released. These can be found in rounded rocks or pebbles in riverbeds, on beaches, or in the soil. Quartz crystals, themselves, can be found deeply buried in the earth, within the center of geodes, in riverbeds, beaches, or in the soil, like non-crystalized quartz. Though varieties of quartz crystal can be found all over the world, some of the largest numbers of extremely fine crystals are currently being mined in Arkansas, Mexico, Brazil, Africa, and in Herkimer County, New York.
A quartz crystal with a point on one end is referred to as single-terminated, while one with a point on both ends is referred to as double-terminated. A pairing of a smaller double-terminated crystal with a larger one is like a mother and child. These can be used to heal mother/child relationships.
Quartz crystals not only have six sides or faces, but as explained earlier, also have a point or termination on one or both ends. A quartz crystal with a point on one end is referred to as single-terminated, while one with a point on both ends is referred to as double-terminated. Clusters of crystals can be attached to each other in all directions, or attached in one general direction emerging from a bed of non-crystalized quartz.
When we work with crystals, we work with both the colored ones like amethyst or rose quartz, as well as the clear ones. We also work with colored stones in a non-crystal form. Whether crystalized or not, since each color stone has its own rate of vibration particular to it with different attributed characteristics and powers, each has its particular usefulness in our work. The most widely used crystal when working with stones, however, is the clear quartz.