the quartz family
Cathedral Quartz with Buddha
This page brings you mineralogical and esoteric information about the main members of the quartz family along with insights we have gained from working with the quartz family of crystals over many years. We never fail to be intrigued with the many forms and formations in which the base material, SiO2, manifests. Below we have included information about the "family tree" and the main forms of quartz we all know and love. Variations of formation and included quartz are not singled out here, but have their own directory (simply follow links). Additionally ALL mineral types we sell have a mineralogical and/or esoterical description, which will be found at the head of each mineral's page within our on-line shop. If you would like to learn more about other crystals and their uses why not check them out!
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It is useful to understand the differences between quartz-based
minerals (such as Jaspers, Chalcedonies and Agates), which are
defined by their growth and the nature of the formation of their
crystalline matrices and structures. Many geological handbooks can be
of use if you want to know more, as can reliable internet sources.
What follows lists most of the different TYPES in alphabetical order.
CLICK ON ANY TITLE or underlined "link" to go to its
dedicated page in our on-line shop!
AGATE
Agates are banded chalcedonies with multi-coloured curved or angular
banding (chalcedony being composed of sub-microscopic granular quartz
coloured by pigmenting minerals and arranged in fibrous layers -
hence its tendency towards translucence). Moss agate and Tree Agates
are mentioned here, although they are not true forms of agate,
despite their name, as they lacks agate's defining feature of
concentric banding. They each contain green filament-like inclusions,
giving them the superficial appearance of moss. Tree Agate has a
solid white groundmass with green filaments, whereas Moss Agate
usually has a transparent background with the green filaments visible
through its structure. Onyx also is a variant of agate with black and
white and sometimes tan banding. Similarly, agate with brown, orange,
red and white banding is known as Sardonyx.
As with all quartz
family members, including the jaspers, the colour of the agate
indicates its primary area of use (both in relation to its spectrum
colour and chakra / auric body associations), and to the inherent
properties of colour (such as heating / cooling / balancing etc.) The
fact that agates are banded also holds symbolic significance, showing
that these stones are useful in working with the theme of
"layers", whether releasing and dealing with
"buried" or forgotten traumas or hurts, or in
"travelling" through layers of time or dimension to visit
ones past or future or to communicate with Guides etc. within other
planes of reality. Tree and Moss agates are great for
connecting to the natural world, especially the trees and plant-life,
as might be expected. They are also good connectors with the gnomes
and Faery realms, and can help with all aspects of
"growth". Blue Lace Agate is probably the best
crystal for clearing and balancing the throat chakra. Its layers and
gentle blue and white colours help get to the root of whatever
requires addressing, whilst stabilising and calming the energies
initiated. Fire Agate is warm and vibrant. It is a stone that
supports creativity and works well with the lower 3 chakras It also
aligns the physical and spiritual bodies, enhancing groundedness and
being "in the flow". Grey banded agate is a useful
stone for clearing deep-seated issues, where clarity and removal of
negativity whilst keeping grounded might be useful.
In our
shop you will find Banded Grey agates and Ocho (small geodes); Fire
agate; Ellensburg agate; Holly Blue agate; Blue Lace Agate.
AVENTURINE
Aventurine is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz, characterised by
its translucency and the presence of platy mineral inclusions that
give a shimmering or glistening effect termed aventurescence. Stones
without sparkle should in strictness not be called aventurines, but
rather jaspers. The most common colour of aventurine is green, but it
may also be orange, brown, yellow, blue, or grey. Chrome-bearing
fuchsite (a variety of muscovite mica) is the classic inclusion, and
gives the most commonly found silvery green or blue sheen. Orange and
brown sheens are attributed to hematite or goethite. Blue sheens are
attributed to copper silicates. Aventurine is often banded and an
overabundance of fuchsite may render it opaque, in which case it may
be mistaken for malachite at first glance. Aventurine Feldspar or
Sunstone can be confused with orange and red aventurine quartzite,
although the former is generally of a higher transparency. (and see
GOLDSTONE)
All aventurines have a special energy that resonates
with the Earth and the elementals very strongly. I find that all
aventurines connect me with Archangel Sandalphon very clearly, but
most especially the green variety. Green Aventurine is also
one of the best crystals for using at the heart centre, or anywhere
that balance and gentle healing is required. It also helps connect
with the plant Kingdom and her Devic Beings (and with earth and the
gnomes). The other coloured aventurines will have resonances specific
to their colour thus Red will also be energising and grounding
useful at base and Earth Star centres (and with fire and the
salamanders); Blue will also be cooling and calming useful at
throat and communication centres (and with water and the sylphs); White
will also be clarifying and clearing and useful at any centre, but
especially the crown (and with water and the undines).
In our
shop you will find Green Aventurine.
BANDED QUARTZ
(Tiger Eye / Hawks Eye etc.)
The family that includes Tiger
Eye are form of quartz that have a beautiful chatoyancy that arises
from fibrous inclusions of amphibole fibres of crocidolite (blue
asbestos - a variety of riebeckite), which makes them appear banded.
Their basic colour is blue/black, ("Hawks Eye / Falcons
Eye"). When this mass oxidises the crocidolite undergoes
pseudomorphosis to form limonite and creates yellow/brown fibres
("Tiger Eye). Sometimes Hawks and Tiger Eye stones are found
combined in layers - a stunning material! Two other common forms of
banded quartz arise from the same base material: "Bulls
Eye", which is deep red/brown and contains iron in the asbestos
mix, arises through gentle heat treatment (not always natural); and
Cats Eye, which is a paler grey/green with a lower concentration of
crocidolite. Sometimes these materials may become broken up through
earth movement and reform with other minerals, including quartz and
jasper to create a brecciated stone or other mixes/masses including
Pietersite (formed from brecciated Hawks Eye, Tiger Eye and quartz)
and Tiger Iron (formed from bands of Tiger Eye, red jasper, hematite
and yellow jasper).
Tiger Eye is a great carrier of the
Gold Ray and of the Christ energies. It is a stone of courage and of
sacrifice and brings great strength and commitment to ones life and
path. Strongly supportive of the Solar Plexus chakra and the mental
(thinking) body, this is also a great crystal for the student,
thinker and creative writer. It also supports the ego-self (in the
best sense of the word!) know and understand their true nature and
place in the world. Its deep brown colours also help ground us into
the Earth and connect with the myriad forms of support we can gain
from being properly and fully grounded. Bulls Eye is an
effective energising and grounding stone. It can be of use to help
open and stabilise the base chakra especially, but can warm and
energise any chakra or centre. A nice gentle, yet useful, stone for
the beginner. Cats Eye grounds the Silver Ray, which is highly
energetic, and helps make it more accessible to us. For us it carries
the energies of the Egyptian God Anubis, Guardian of the Underworld
and Guardian against Lower Astral Forces. Anubis knows all of
existence and after-existence and can advise and guide us to the
truths that we seek. Thus working with Cats Eye permits access to the
void, and using it we may seek answers or clarification about
life-path, karmic or other difficulties encountered that may be
hindering our spiritual progress. If we call upon Anubis as we do so,
we gain his protection and support: you may feel as if you are
suspended or existing in a void whilst you explore what you have
asked to know, but you do feel safe and supported throughout. Hawks
Eye resonates strongly with the 3rd eye chakra and with the Soma
and Universal (communication) centres of the Unified body. It carries
the indigo Ray, which is all about outer Cosmic / Stellar
communication, wisdom and understanding. This is a powerful Ray and
not to be taken lightly, for in connecting with it you open to
catalytic change, which can be swift and radical. However this is an
amazing support for those who know they are "more" than
simply flesh and bone, and who wish to connect with their greater
Self. Pietersite is also sometimes called "Tempest
Stone". This sums its energies up very well! Its combination of
tiger eye and hawks eye which has been broken up and then re-formed
with quartz shows its resilience and the beauty that even chaotic
change and upheaval can bring about. This is an excellent choice of
stone to support you through times of change, especially if the
change is rapid and perhaps bewildering or frightening. It links the
blue, indigo and golden-yellow Rays, to bring about balance between
the ego-self and the Higher Self, helping us remain grounded and
certain of who we truly are, even during times of great change.
Tiger Iron is a very useful general purpose stone, that
supports and balances all the lower energy centres (base, sacral and
solar plexus) whilst grounding and earthing the energies safely and
soundly. If you are in need of energy or out of balance or synch in
mind, body and / or emotions, this is the stone for you: try holding
one in each hand, or placing one on each of the lower 3 chakras, with
one below each foot. For those in Unified Body, this stone can help
assimilate changing energies and ground them more fully into the
Heart centre.
In our shop you will find Tiger
Eye; Bulls
Eye; Cats
Eye; Hawks
Eye; Pietersite;
Tiger
Iron
BLOODSTONE
Bloodstone, or Heliotrope, is a deep green variety of chalcedony,
containing red inclusions of iron oxide. These inclusions resemble
drops of blood, giving heliotrope its alternative name of bloodstone.
A similar variety, in which the spots are yellow instead of red is
known as Plasma. Sometimes the material has traces of other colours,
including blue, tan and yellow. Bloodstone is a stone of
courage and a stone of sacrifice, often used in decorative pieces or
to carve talismans. As its name suggest it can be useful for any
physical conditions affecting the heart or circulatory system, and
energetically for any situation requiring balance and grounding; and
also for working with any issues of the heart and base chakras. Those
pieces that include yellow jasper add balance to the thinking /
mental processes and clarity to the solar plexus centre.
In
our shop you will find Bloodstone.
CARNELIAN
Carnelian is a clear-to-translucent reddish-brown variety of
chalcedony that has a very high iron content, which gives it the
lovely orange colour. Its hue may vary from a pale orange, to an
intense almost-black colouration. Similar to carnelian is Sard, which
is brown rather than red. Carnelian may also be found in combination
with onyx and as an inclusion within quartz, often in phantom
formation.
Djwhal Kuhl said about Carnelian in the 1980s that in his view
it is one of the most rapidly advancing minerals on the planet - a
quartz that thinks it is as good as a diamond! The energy is deep and
resonant, empowering and energising and has throughout history been
regarded as a quintessential stone of courage. It is also very
strengthening and detoxifying to all the lower 3 energy centres as
well as the physical body - especially useful during periods of
illness or convalescence.
In our shop you will find Carnelian
and Carnelian in quartz.
CHALCEDONY
Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, formed from
sub-microscopic grains of quartz, usually naturally coloured by
pigmenting minerals, and composed of very fine intergrowths of the
minerals quartz and moganite. These are both silica minerals, but
they differ in that quartz has a trigonal crystal structure, whilst
moganite is monoclinic. Chalcedony has a waxy lustre, and may be
semitransparent or translucent due to the grains being layered rather
than randomly oriented. Often it may form in layers with other
chalcedonies and/or jaspers, to create banded agates and onyxes:
Jaspers and Agates are all classed as types of chalcedony. Chalcedony
can assume a wide range of colours, but those most commonly found
within the ground are white to grey, greyish-blue or a shade of brown
ranging from pale to nearly black.
For metaphysical use the
colours most frequently worked with are blue, pink, white and
purple/violet. Blue chalcedony has a soft and gentle energy
that is very cooling and calming. It is a very good stone to use at
the throat chakra, especially when the voice is tired or it needs to
rest. There is a sense of serenity and peace with this stone, and so
it would be a good choice placed (out of reach) in a child or baby's
room. Because of its resonance with childlike energies it will also
support play and help the nurture of one's Inner Child. Purple
chalcedony resonates with the Violet Ray and with the Third eye
and Crown chakras. This makes it a useful and protective stone when
opening these Higher centres for journeying, channelling or other
forms of spiritual communion. The particular variety that we stock
(Royal Aztec) also contains soft dove grey shades, and this muted
silver Ray energy adds to the Power that can be sensed when working
with this stone, making it an effective companion for Astral travel.
Black chalcedony is an excellent choice for grounding or for
use to strengthen the Earth Star chakra. This stone is also of use
for journeying within, and for exploring the more hidden sides of our
nature, thus bringing them into the Light.
In our shop you
will find black, blue and purple (Royal Purple Aztec) chalcedony.
CHRYSOPRASE
Chrysoprase is a green variety of chalcedony, which has been coloured
by nickel oxide. The darker varieties of chrysoprase are sometimes
also referred to as Prase: however, the term Prase is may also be
used to describe green chlorite included quartz, and so to a certain
extent "Prase" is a colour-descriptor, rather than a
rigorously defined mineral variety.
In our shop you will find
lime and apple-green Chrysoprase.
CITRINE
QUARTZ
Citrine quartz is a form of clear quartz that
gains its colour and properties from iron inclusions. According to
the proportions of iron it contains and the factors influencing its
growth this quartz may vary in shade from the palest lemon-yellow
through to a deep golden-amber shade. Much citrine that is for sale
is in fact heat-treated amethyst, which has value for its colour, but
does not hold the same energies as true "natural" citrine.
Natural citrine is one of the most expensive of the quartz family due
to its rarity in the natural state hence anything "too
cheap" may not be the real thing!
Natural citrine is
excellent for creative work and all endeavours requiring mental focus
or concentration. It is clarifying and strengthening and very good at
clearing blocks within the lower 3 chakras to permit a freer flow of
thoughts, ideas and hence manifestation of any plans and creative
efforts. Citrine works particularly well with the solar plexus and
with all "ego" issues connected with Will and personal
Power.
In our shop you will find many forms of Natural
Citrine, as well as some heat-treated pieces
CLEAR
QUARTZ
Clear Quartz (SiO2) is found in many places
around the planet and forms a large portion of the Earth's crust. It
is the most multi-purpose and adaptable of minerals and I never cease
to be amazed at the range of energies and uses that this mineral has,
especially when I sense the subtle variations in the feel of their
energies: I feel that Brazil gives us crystals that have the most
"classic" quartz properties; the USA gives us crystals that
are a bit more "in-your-face"; Madagascar gives us crystals
that are ancient, soft and deep; Russia gives us crystals that
reflect our past with connections that are less "Earthly";
whilst the Himalayas/Nepal and India give us crystals with a high
spiritual refinement. The joy of natural unpolished quartz lies
literally in its many facets. Each crystal is totally unique: the
shape of its sides and faces and the markings upon them providing us
with individual insights into the lessons and uses the crystal has
for us. Even when polished these attributes still remain: we just
cannot see them by eye. Polishing brings out the inner beauty in a
crystal, removing surface imperfections and letting the most Light
within (and without) - a bit like us really! Life with quartz is
never dull: its' many varied forms and formations (every crystal is
totally unique) and its varied sources provide us with an endless
array of crystal energies to explore.
Clear Quartz is a
wonderful channeller, clarifier and enhancer of Light and energy in
its infinitely varied forms. It is a natural amplifier and
"shifter" of energy and is one of the crystal healer's
workhorses because of this ability to move energy and draw in Light.
It is also the only crystal (I refer here to CLEAR quartz especially)
that can be reliably programmed, and so has been prized by countless
civilisations of the past for its many virtues and attributes and
especially for its capacity for "memory". This explains why
it is the primary crystal that holds and retains ancient records and
memories, making this the premier crystal for meditation, journeying
and scrying, in order to connect with said stored wisdom and
information.
In our shop you will find MANY forms and types of
clear quartz!
FELDSPAR
Feldspars are a common group of rock-forming
tectosilicate minerals which make up as much as 60% of the Earth's
crust. Feldspars crystallize from magma in both intrusive and
extrusive igneous rocks as veins and are also present in many types
of metamorphic rock. Feldspars are also found in many types of
sedimentary rock. Feldspars are typically classified into two main
types: alkali feldspars and plagioclase feldspars. Some are formed
through an intergrowth of two feldspars: a host grain that includes
lamellae or irregular intergrowths of other types of feldspar:
typically the host grain is Orthoclase or Microcline, and the
lamellae are Albite. Moonstone is a Feldspar based mineral.
Apricot
Feldspar is a pretty and delicate material in a lovely soft
apricot shade, with a silvery sheen like aventurine. Its energy too
is a delicate blend of the orange and pink Rays, linking sacral and
heart centres and strengthening feelings of true love and devotion
between lovers and life partners. There is too a sense of innocence
and purity in the stones energies, thus it is equally suited to gift
to a child or baby, as a token of their place within a family unit,
as the much loved outcome of a loving union between their parents. Graphic
Feldspar (also called Zebradorite by some sellers) is a
yellow/beige feldspar that contains random deposits of smoky quartz.
We think it looks like the big cat family - leopards, cheetahs and
tigers, with their sandy coats and dark spots and stripes, rather
than the black and white striping of a zebra! It has a "big
cat" sort of feel too - mysterious, camouflaged, moving in
stealth towards ones goals. The feldspar element makes this a good
general balancing stone, whilst the smoky quartz brings the
attributes of clearing, grounding and protecting. Moonstone is
one of the archetypal feminine stones, carrying the energies of the
Divine Feminine and the Goddess. That does not mean that it is only
useful for women to work with! Indeed it can help bring about true
balance between ones feminine / masculine aspects, regardless of
one's gender. A calming stone, equalising the senses and opening one
to intuitive and creative thoughts, feelings and expressions. The
white and cream ones are most closely linked with the Goddess
(especially Isis); the peach ones are wonderful at balancing and
integrating painful energy shifts; whilst the grey and black ones add
an aura of grounding and protection to the energy field.
In
our shop you will find apricot
feldspar; graphic
feldspar; moonstone
(grey/black, peach, white, pearl and rainbow).
GOLDSTONE
(man-made)
Aventurine Glass or Goldstone was discovered at
some point in the 18th century by Italian glassmakers. Although it
was known first, goldstone is now a common imitation of aventurine,
starstone and sunstone. Goldstone is distinguished visually from the
latter three minerals by its coarse flecks of copper, dispersed
within the glass in an unnaturally uniform manner. The most common
form of goldstone (known as orange goldstone) is reddish-brown,
containing tiny crystals of metallic copper that require special
conditions to form properly: the initial batch is melted together
from silica, copper oxide, and other metal oxides to chemically
reduce the copper ions to elemental copper. The vat is then sealed
off from the air and maintained within a narrow temperature range,
keeping the glass hot enough to remain liquid while allowing metallic
crystals to precipitate from solution without melting or oxidizing.
After a suitable crystallisation period, the entire batch is cooled
to a single solid mass, which is then broken out of the vat for
selection and shaping. Goldstone also exists in other colour variants
based on other elements: Cobalt or manganese can be substituted for
copper: the resulting crystals have a more silvery appearance and are
suspended in a strongly-coloured matrix of the corresponding ionic
colour, resulting in blue goldstone or purple goldstone respectively;
Green goldstone, or chrome aventurine, forms its reflective particles
from chromium oxides rather than the elemental metal, but is
otherwise fairly similar.
Even though these are manmade
"crystals", Goldstones are one of the few creations that
are useful for the crystal lover. The orange variety has similar
(albeit less intense) properties to true Sunstone; the blue variety
likewise with true Starstone; the green variety likewise with Green
Aventurine. Their colour does make them of use with certain chakras:
Blue Goldstone at the 3rd eye and Orange Goldstone at the Solar
Plexus. Blue Goldstone is very meditative and centring,
whilst also allowing for outward journeying through visualisation or
guided meditation. It can be a catalyst for transformation, change
and growth and is a useful tool for making contact with (and
communicating with) other Civilisations within our Cosmos, and with
Earth's Ancient past and thus her links with the Wise Ones of the
Stars. Its deep blue and silver colours also strongly connect with
the energies of the Divine Mother / Feminine. Orange Goldstone
is more "down to Earth", carrying a warmth and energy that
can promote creativity and forward progress on many levels. Its
copper element also promotes the transfer and movement of energy, and
the grounding of many frequencies or resonances, through the
energetic and physical bodies and into the Earth via the Earth Star
or Omega centres. Its deep orange and gold colours also strongly
connect with the energies of the Sun and the Divine Father /
Masculine.
In our shop you will find Blue Goldstone and Orange
Goldstone.
HERKIMER
DIAMOND
These are a special formation of quartz, found
in Herkimer County, New York State. Generally they are clear, but
they sometimes are smoky. They grow in unique conditions and because
of this they are exceptionally clear double terminated crystals.
Usually they appear quite short and stout, and have a light and
sparkling quality about them. Some are absolutely perfect, and others
grow in joined up clusters or groups. They range in size from mm to
hand sized, and where they have grown in groups but become separated
may exhibit seed crystals or key formations. It is also common to
find inclusions of carbon (black particles) or of iron / limonite
(golden yellow sheens) or air and sometimes water. These may give
rise to wonderful rainbows. Other characteristics of quartz may be
found, such as windows, time links and on rare occasions record
keeper markings.
Herkimer diamonds are energising to all
chakras and energetic bodies, and will open up and increase the speed
of rotation of the chakras where they are placed or focused upon.
They are also very cleansing to the chakras and auric field, and are
the best remover of toxins from the fields. They are very synergistic
stones, and work well with most other stones, enhancing and
increasing those stones' powers and energies. Despite what you may
think, for such a clear stone, they work hard to pull energy and
Light into both physical and non- physical bodies, and to fully
ground it there - grounding in this case meaning bringing it firmly
into the body and anchoring it there. Herkimers are very clarifying
to the thoughts and emotions, and will help bring
"enlightenment". They will also act to clear out all the
"stuff" that we don't need and which no longer serves us,
which we tend to hang onto either consciously or subconsciously. They
will also aid the integration and grounding of new thoughts, ideas
and energies to aid our assimilation of Light and raise our
vibrational energies. The black particles of carbon, although to some
spoiling the clarity and perfection, are a reminder to us of the
interaction and support given to us as carbon-based life forms by the
quartz family. The golden (some call these citrine) herkimers add the
energies of Christ-consciousness and the Divine Masculine.
In
our shop you will find Herkimer diamonds of many sizes and qualities
JASPER
Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of silica (chalcedony), usually red,
yellow, brown or green in colour and, rarely, blue. Patterns
may arise during the consolidation process forming flow and
depositional patterns in the original silica rich sediment or
volcanic ash. Colour stems from the mineral content of the sediments
or ash. When the colours form in stripes or bands, these are called
striped or banded jaspers. Jasper can also be modified by the
diffusion of minerals along discontinuities providing the appearance
of vegetative growth, creating dendritic patterns. The original
materials are often fractured and/or distorted after deposition,
creating myriad beautiful patterns which are later filled with other
colourful minerals, as in Polychrome (Gaia) Jasper. The
classification and naming of jasper presents a challenge: terms
attributed to various well-defined materials includes the geographic
locality where it is found, sometimes quite restricted such as
"Bruneau" (a canyon); a few are designated by the country
of origin such as a Brown Egyptian or Red African; most are simply
described by their colouring or patterning. Picture Jaspers (such as
Kalahari Picture stone) exhibit combinations of patterns resulting in
what appear to be scenes or images when cut or polished. Diffusion
from a centre produces distinctive Orbicular Jaspers (such as Ocean
Jasper and Leopard Skin Jasper). Healed, fragmented rock produces
Brecciated Jasper. Jaspilite (also Tiger Iron) is a banded iron
formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper
interspersed with hematite and Tigers Eye.
Jasper is a hugely
useful stone, with wide-ranging uses. In general Jaspers are all
solid and earthy, helping us deal with the day-to-day realities of
living an earthly existence. Their colour range and patterning bears
relation to the areas they might best be used, according to chakra
centre spectrum colours and their symbolic patterning. Biggs
Picture Jasper is only found in one region of the world - namely
Oregon USA. It has been called "THE stone for Global
awareness". Like all Picture Jaspers this stone can help us
connect with the resonance and consciousness of our Earth and is an
excellent stone for use in shamanic journeying or in connecting with
and understanding the energies of the many ancient and spiritual
sites of our planet. Gaia (Polychrome) Jasper - see "Crystal of the Month" page
(Dec 2010). Kalahari Picture Stone is a form of picture
Jasper. Its cream, tan and brown layering reflects the energies and
landscapes of the Kalahari desert, and it is useful for grounding and
connecting with the energies of the Earth and the elements of earth
and air. This is a good choice for the Shaman, geomantic practitioner
or natural healing practitioner, and for anyone who wishes to connect
with the Earth's spirit, Devas or elementals. By assisting us in
connecting with the planet we may learn with more clarity how to work
and live in harmony with her, rather than "suffer" the
energetic upheavals that are currently affecting so many that live
upon her surface. Mookaite is a form of Jasper found
exclusively in Australia. It carries the same range of colours as
found in Aboriginal art, which derive from natural pigments. It has
the same "other-worldly" energies about it, which we may
also associate with the ancient spiritual site of Uluru and its
timeless wisdom and connections to ancestral spirits, and the ancient
ancestors of the current dwellers on Earth. Mookaite can help connect
us with our own innate wisdom and strengthens our source of
"inner knowing". Holding a piece of Mookaite whilst
listening to traditional Native Australian music (such as chanting or
didgeridoo) can result in a very interesting meditative journey!
Ocean Jasper - see "Crystal of
the Month" page (April 2011). Red Jasper is very
grounding and energising and a great awakener of all creative
energies that are grounded within the lower 2 chakras. It can be
useful to awaken and regulate a sluggish base or sacral chakra, and
may also be used with any energy centres that require warming,
integrating or strengthening. Its high iron content also supports the
blood and circulatory system and the repair and regeneration of
muscle tissue. Sometimes the Jasper is found with a higher than usual
amount of quartz, sometimes layered with banded chalcedonies or
brecciated in some fashion. In these cases the quartz amplifies and
increases the effects of the jasper and adds an extra dimension to
their use.
In our shop you will find Biggs Picture and
Kalahari Picture stone; Ocean; Red; Gaia; Wave; Mookaite; Bruneau;
Yellow; Kambala and Unakite.
OBSIDIAN
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an
extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from
a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. Obsidian is
mineral-like, but not a true mineral because as a glass it is not
crystalline: in addition, its composition is too complex to comprise
a single mineral. Obsidian consists mainly of SiO2 (silicon dioxide),
usually 70% or more. Crystalline rocks with obsidian's composition
include granite and rhyolite. Pure obsidian is usually dark in
appearance, though the colour varies depending on the presence of
impurities. Iron and magnesium typically give the obsidian a dark
green to brown to black colour. In some stones, the inclusion of
small, white, radially clustered crystals of cristobalite in the
black glass produce a blotchy or snowflake pattern. Obsidian may also
contain patterns of gas bubbles remaining from the lava flow, aligned
along layers created as the molten rock was flowing before being
cooled. These bubbles can produce interesting effects such as
iridescence, coloured or rainbow swirling patterns. Sheen obsidians
have a play of coloured chatoyancy across their surface when in the
presence of strong light. This is usually of golden colour, but also
may be silver, green or purple. The colours arise because of minor
impurities, liquids and gasses that have been trapped within the
obsidian during its period of rapid cooling.
Obsidian is a
"free-style" crystal and can be very flexible in how it
works with an individual, or through a range of situations. Being so
"fresh" from the inner earth all obsidians have a grounding
property and most are also protective. It seems that more and more
people are choosing to work with obsidian now, as we are being asked
to look deeply within ourselves to work out our own balance between
who we think we are and who we truly are. It is a great stone for
those who have the courage to go within and confront and resolve
their relationship with their shadow side. Black obsidian is
reflective and absorbing, making it a good choice for protection. It
can however be harder to work with than some of the other black
stones, because of its mirroring attributes. This means that it is
very effective at reflecting back energies, both to the sender - if
undesirable - and to the self, although this can be useful if
introspection and examination of ones own motives is required! It is
also a very good choice as a grounding stone, as it will help keep
the Earth-connections clear during the process. Smoky obsidian,
also called Apache Tears, is one of the best stones for grounding and
clearing negativity. In this respect I regard them as second best
only to smoky quartz. At first glance it can be hard to tell smoky
and black obsidian apart, but if you hold one up to the light you
will be able to see through smoky obsidian, but not through black.
You may also discover that some are banded or layered, which can make
these particularly useful for getting to the root of problematic or
difficult situations. Smoky obsidian can also be useful in energy
field protection, creating a "smoke screen", rather than
the mirror of the other obsidians. Even so, they can help one hide or
shield one's energy field if there is a need. Peacock obsidian
is a very rare form of obsidian. It contains spectrum colours, but
they "swirl" around within the obsidian, rather than being
in layers, as with the rainbow obsidians. They have a sound and a
flow to their energy, which can help one flow more clearly with the
"dance" of Life, whilst also teaching the value of living
outside the conforms of conventional structure / society. They are
also said to be great visionary stones and of great value when
dreaming or journeying through astral travel. Rainbow obsidian
shows rainbow layers within its blackness when placed under a light
source. These rainbows may show the full spectrum or show just part
of the colour range. The rainbow colours occur due to inclusions,
often minute gas or water bubbles, that were trapped during the
obsidian's solidification process. This stone is of great use to
anyone working deeply on self-healing, or who is willing to undertake
the work necessary to reconcile their shadow aspects in order to grow
spiritually. The polished surface acts like a "mirror for the
soul", not only revealing us in stark honesty, but also showing
the beauty that is deep within all of us. Not a stone for the
fainthearted perhaps, but HUGELY beneficial for those who have the
courage and honesty to work with it. sheen obsidian has a
connection to the colour Ray it displays: gold sheen connects with
the Gold Ray and to the energies of Christ-consciousness, Divine Will
and the Divine Masculine; silver sheen connects with the Silver Ray
and the energies of the Divine Feminine and the Great Mysteries;
green sheen with the Emerald Ray of Truth and Balance; and purple to
the Violet Ray of Transformative Light. Spider-web obsidian is
a graphite-grey material with fine random web-like threads of
silvery-grey material running through it and across its surface.
Spider-silk is one of the strongest materials known, and this tells
us that this stone is likely to be of great help in providing an
inner support when journeying, healing or doing self-exploration
work. The silvery-grey colours remind me of the energies of the
Platinum Ray, a Cosmic energy that is both connective and protective.
Here, with this obsidian, we are given the time and ability to
unravel the threads of our lives and travel inwards and outwards to
experience the rich tapestry of the Universe.
In our shop you
will find Black and Smoky; Gold, Silver, Purple and Green Sheen;
Rainbow; Peacock and Spider-web
ROSE
QUARTZ
Rose quartz takes its lovely colour from trace
inclusions of manganese. Its pink colour can range from the palest
translucency through to a deep and dense rose pink - the amount of
colour depends on the amount of trace minerals. When the material has
traces of specifically aligned rutile within it exhibits a special
formation known as asterism. When this material is polished,
especially into spheres or cabochons, and a strong light reflects
from the surface it is possible to see a six-rayed star reflected
back from the surface. The Madagascan material is often especially
blessed with this quality. Sometimes additional trace material
results in a rare and unusual lavender / lilac shade. Rose quartz is
generally found in massive form - crystals are very rare and, when
they do occur, tend to be in very small clusters.
Rose quartz
is one of the crystals that everyone would benefit from. It exudes a
soft and loving energy - yet when required it can also supply a
strong and empowering presence that will help clear, balance and heal
the heart centre and reinforce our sense of connection to All That
Is. This state of "living from the heart" with a sense of
true unity awareness and community spirit is what the "new
age" is all about - and we cannot be full participants in this
endeavour WITHOUT a whole and open heart.
In our shop you will
find many forms of Rose quartz
SMOKY
QUARTZ
Smoky quartz can be found in the palest of
colours - usually grey/brown - through to the darkest black. Its
colour comes through natural irradiation within the ground, although
some clear quartz specimens are "cooked" to turn them
artificially into smoky quartz as this attracts a higher price. It
would be true to say that MOST natural smoky quartz are not a deep
black colour - the main natural smoky quartz that is pure black being
Morian quartz. For healing and metaphysical use the natural forms of
smoky quartz are best. Smoky quartz can also grow in combination with
other quartz, especially amethyst, citrine and clear quartz, and can
be found with inclusions and phantoms, all of which add their own
dimension to the uses of the crystal.
Smoky quartz is very
cleansing, easily removing negativity from the body or aura - we
teach how to do this through the use of crystal grids, wands and
pendulums. It is also one of the best grounding stones: if you feel
spacey either hold one in each hand or place one below /under each
foot. It is also quite protective, and can be carried or worn. It is
also a lovely crystal to have in any room or healing space, helping
to absorb and transmute negativity whilst imbuing the atmosphere with
a clear and expansive energy. I like to keep a cluster on my desk,
and we have a large polished specimen in the bedroom, ensuring
restful sleep!
In our shop you will find many forms of Smoky
quartz
TREATED
QUARTZ
It is possible to treat natural clear quartz (and
occasionally other suitable minerals, such as danburite) in a process
that bonds atoms of precious metals to the exterior / matrix of the
crystal. These enhanced crystals have a coloured appearance,
depending on the metals used in the process, and carry an added
energy that, unlike "dyed" crystals, add to and extend the
usual attributes of the base material. These crystals, as well as a
few man-made minerals such as Gaia stone and Pink Lazurine, are very
usable in crystal healing and meditation etc - their uses vary widely
according to their nature - more in their own sections below:
Flame
aura is treated with titanium and other trace minerals,
resulting in the crystals having a rainbow coloured appearance, with
shades of gold, magenta, green and aqua-blue being prominent. This is
quite a forceful stone with a vibrancy and power that is very
"awakening" and energising. Titanium is a great connector,
and as such this crystal has great uses in journeying and connecting
with Higher Guidance through meditation. It also carries the Rainbow
Rays, which can help balance and charge each energy centre and indeed
the auric field - try laying in a "Star of David" grid of 6
of these crystals, preferably double-terminated, otherwise points-in.
Aqua aura is treated with gold, resulting in the crystals
having a rich aquamarine colour with subtle rainbow flashes. This was
one of the first treated minerals to be created, and is probably the
most useful for healing purposes. This is a gentle but profound
crystal, very useful when used to strengthen, clear and balance the
communication centres (throat and brow) and to enhance and support
communication of all sorts, whether this be verbal, written or
telepathic. This is also a great stone for encouraging Angelic
connections. The gold aspect also makes this an excellent crystal for
working with any problems where the nervous system, cellular
structure or DNA is in need of repair or adjustment. Opal aura (also
known as Angel Aura or Rainbow Aura) is treated with platinum, silver
and other trace minerals, resulting in the crystals having a
pearlescent white colour with an iridescent finish. This crystal has
a sweet, fine and high resonance, which seems to sing in the hand. It
carries the Rays of the Divine Feminine and of Cosmic Enlightenment,
and is a very "connecting" stone. If you wish to extend or
activate your upper chakras, whilst retaining a sense of peace and
serenity, then this is an excellent crystal to work with. It also
brings in the full spectrum of Light, which can help purify and
cleanse any of the energy bodies or centres whilst strengthening
purpose and resolve. Cobalt aura is treated with cobalt,
resulting in the crystals having a deep indigo, cobalt blue, magenta
and gold colouring. Sometimes this crystal is mistakenly confused
with Flame Aura. This crystal shouts "Archaeon Michael" to
me, with its deep blues and golds! Strong, protective, reflective and
supportive, this is an ideal crystal to carry or wear for protection
against unwanted negative influences or psychic attack. It will also
support the upper chakras and provide protection and energy whilst
channelling, journeying or communicating with Guides. Tanzine aura
is treated with gold and iridium, resulting in the crystals having a
light indigo-blue /violet colour with an iridescent finish. Similar
uses as for aqua aura apply, but with enhanced clarification and
expansion of the crown chakra, supporting greater contact with the
energies of the upper chakras (8-14) and the Higher Self.
Celestial
aura is a mix of aqua aura and opal aura, and combines their
attributes in a wonderful stone that resounds with a high and fine
energy. These rare stones were created in error (!) when a set of
tumbled stones were inadvertently treated twice. The Divine Feminine
and the Silver Ray are strongly grounded through this stone, together
with the Pure Ray of Truth.
In our shop you will find Aqua;
Cobalt; Tanzine; Opal (Angel); Flame auras
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