#crystal spotlight

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Herd Culling by Porcupine Tree from the album Closure / Continuation - Directed by Miles Skarin

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Canary Yellow by Haken from the upcoming album Virus - Video produced by Crystal Spotlight

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Invasion by Haken from the album Virus - Video: Crystal Spotlight

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Sprite by Devin Townsend from the album Empath - Video by Crystal Spotlight

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Limbo by Richard Henshall - Video by Miles Skarin

[writer-crafter2point0-blog]

Crystal Spotlight: Obsidian

Obsidian holds a lot of memories for me, not all good. But I do like it, how it sort of "splinters" when it breaks, and there's those little crescents that are left behind…it's like looking into the abyss and I've often found it to help me focus.

Here's the sciency stuff from Wikipedia:

Obsidian is the rock formed as a result of quickly cooled lava, which is the parent material.[9][10][11] Tektites were once thought by many to be obsidian produced by lunar volcanic eruptions, though few scientists now adhere to this hypothesis.

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. It is sometimes classified as a mineraloid. Though obsidian is usually dark in color similar to mafic rocks such as basalt, obsidian's composition is extremely felsic. Obsidian consists mainly of SiO2 (silicon dioxide), usually 70% or more. Crystalline rocks with obsidian's composition include granite and rhyolite. Because obsidian is metastable at the Earth's surface (over time the glass becomes fine-grained mineral crystals), no obsidian has been found that is older than Cretaceous age. This breakdown of obsidian is accelerated by the presence of water. Having a low water content when newly formed, typically less than 1% water by weight,[12] obsidian becomes progressively hydrated when exposed to groundwater, forming perlite.

Pure obsidian is usually dark in appearance, though the color varies depending on the presence of impurities. Iron and other transition elements may give the obsidian a dark brown to black color. Very few samples are nearly colorless. In some stones, the inclusion of small, white, radially clustered crystals of cristobalite in the black glass produce a blotchy or snowflake pattern (snowflake obsidian). Obsidian may 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 a golden sheen (sheen obsidian). An iridescent, rainbow-like sheen (rainbow obsidian) is caused by inclusions of magnetite nanoparticles.[13]

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian>

 And metaphysical stuff:

Obsidian is a very protective stone,  and is excellent for removing negativity. It is also excellent protection against psychic attacks. In particular obsidian protects the gentle from abuse, and is used to cut attachment cords to release one. It is a very grounding stone, and  very healing. Obsidian is also an excellent manifestation stone. Physically it is said to benefit the stomach, intestines, muscle tissue, and can rid one of bacterial or viral infections.  It sharpens and focuses internal and external vision, and helps get in touch with buried issues before they explode.   Note that healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing and are not prescriptions or healthcare information.  Obsidian is related primarily to the root chakra, though differing colors may relate to different chakras as well.

From <http://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/obsidian/>

[writer-crafter2point0-blog]

Crystal Spotlight: Aquamarine

I actually didn't know this was a real gemstone until I was…14? I had heard of it used as a name for fictional characters or crayon/marker colors, maybe even as a paint color, but I didn't know it was an actual stone until that point. I like aquamarine because it's all light and airy, but also makes me think of water.

Here's some Wikipedia stuff:

Aquamarine (from Latin: aqua marina, "water of the sea") is a blue or cyan variety of beryl. It occurs at most localities which yield ordinary beryl. The gem-gravel placer deposits of Sri Lanka contain aquamarine. Clear yellow beryl, such as that occurring in Brazil, is sometimes called aquamarine chrysolite.[citation needed] The deep blue version of aquamarine is called maxixe. Maxixe is commonly found in the country of Madagascar. Its color fades to white when exposed to sunlight or is subjected to heat treatment, though the color returns with irradiation.

The pale blue color of aquamarine is attributed to Fe2+. Fe3+ ions produce golden-yellow color, and when both Fe2+ and Fe3+ are present, the color is a darker blue as in maxixe. Decoloration of maxixe by light or heat thus may be due to the charge transfer between Fe3+ and Fe2+.[8][9][10][11] Dark-blue maxixe color can be produced in green, pink or yellow beryl by irradiating it with high-energy particles (gamma rays, neutrons or even X-rays).[12]

In the United States, aquamarines can be found at the summit of Mt. Antero in the Sawatch Range in central Colorado. In Wyoming, aquamarine has been discovered in the Big Horn Mountains, near Powder River Pass. Another location within the United States is the Sawtooth Range near Stanley, Idaho. Although the minerals are within a wilderness area which prevents collecting. In Brazil, there are mines in the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Bahia, and minorly in Rio Grande do Norte. The mines of Colombia, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya also produce aquamarine.

The largest aquamarine of gemstone quality ever mined was found in Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910. It weighed over 110 kg (240 lb), and its dimensions were 48.5 cm (19 in) long and 42 cm (17 in) in diameter.[13] The largest cut aquamarine gem is the Dom Pedro aquamarine, now housed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.[14]

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl#Aquamarine_and_maxixe>

And metaphysical stuff:

Associated with the Throat chakra, Aquamarine helps overcome the fear of speaking, and is an excellent stone for teachers and presenters of all types. It relaxes speakers to a stage of consciousness in which they are fully aware of their own truths, wisdom and feelings, and able to articulate them with clarity and conviction. It also allows one to speak clearly and without anger in difficult situations. [Simmons, 49][Ahsian, 50]

Aquamarine accelerates the intellectual reasoning processes and enhances the ability for rapid response. It makes one unconquerable through learning, not only about the physical world, but about oneself. [Melody, 128] It bestows perseverance, discipline and light heartedness. [Gienger, 16]

Aquamarine encourages the ideal of service to the world and to the development of a humanity attuned to healing. It emits a gentle and compassionate energy, promoting moderation and responsibility for ones' actions. It inspires judgmental people to be more tolerant, and helps those overwhelmed by responsibility to find order. [Melody, 129][Hall, 68]

A stone of natural justice, Aquamarine utilizes compromise and negotiation, and gives quiet courage and clear reasoned words in confrontational situations. Pass Aquamarine over any written complaints you receive or before you send any out, wear or carry Aquamarine when visiting your child's school because of a complaint, or when resolving neighborhood disputes over parking or boundaries. [Eason, 218]

As a travel crystal, greenish blue Aquamarine protects those who journey by sea, alleviating the fear of water, and guards those involved in any long-haul travel such as flying or driving long distances. [Eason, 42] It is a good stone for learning to swim. [Eason, 218]

As a love crystal, pale blue Aquamarine encourages a lover to return, helps two people with different lifestyles to live together in harmony, and reduces the effects of sensitive issues that cause quarrels. [Eason, 43] Aquamarine is often given as a love token or eternity ring, and increases commitment and fidelity "as long as the waters of the earth flow." [Eason, 218]

From <https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/aquamarine>

 I didn't actually know that aquamarine and emeralds come from the same family of gem, beryl, until I did the research for this! I really like learning knew things, even if they're just little things! Want to see more of my favorite gems? Look here: https://www.pinterest.com/cooke1452/gems-and-crystals/

[writer-crafter2point0-blog]

Crystal Spotlight: Sapphire

Sapphires have always made me feel calm, sort of like watching the ocean. Also, they're my husband's birthstone, so they're extra special to me now. I actually thought that the necklace from the movie Titanic was a sapphire for a long while; when someone told me it's actually a blue diamond I was slightly disappointed.

Here's the sciency stuff, as usual:

Sapphire is a gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide (α-Al2O3). Whilst typically associated with the color blue, natural "fancy" sapphires also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors; "parti sapphires" show two or more colors. The only color which sapphire cannot be is red - as red colored corundum is called ruby,[2] another corundum variety.

Trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper, or magnesium present during formation are responsible for the color of a sapphire. Chromium impurities in corundum yield a pink hue.

Commonly, natural sapphires are cut and polished into gemstones and worn in jewelry. They also may be created synthetically in laboratories for industrial or decorative purposes in large crystal boules.

Because of the remarkable hardness of sapphires – 9 on the Mohs scale (the third hardest mineral, after diamond at 10 and moissanite at 9.5) – sapphires are also used in some non-ornamental applications, such infrared optical components; high-durability windows; wristwatch crystals and movement bearings; and very thin electronic wafers, which are used as the insulating substrates of very special-purpose solid-state electronics (especially integrated circuits and GaN-based LEDs).

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gem of the 5th and 45th anniversaries.

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire>

And the metaphysical properties:

Traditionally, sapphire symbolizes nobility, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. It has decorated the robes of royalty and clergy members for centuries. Its extraordinary color is the standard against which other blue gems—from topaz to tanzanite—are measured.

For centuries, sapphire has been associated with royalty and romance. The association was reinforced in 1981, when Britain’s Prince Charles gave a blue sapphire engagement ring to Lady Diana Spencer. Until her death in 1997, Princess Di, as she was known, charmed and captivated the world. Her sapphire ring helped link modern events with history and fairy tales.

In ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens were convinced that blue sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm. During the Middle Ages, the clergy wore blue sapphires to symbolize Heaven, and ordinary folks thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. In other times and places, people instilled sapphires with the power to guard chastity, make peace between enemies, influence spirits, and reveal the secrets of oracles.

In folklore, history, art, and consumer awareness, sapphire has always been associated with the color blue. Its name comes from the Greek word sappheiros, which probably referred to lapis lazuli. Most jewelry customers think all sapphires are blue, and when gem and jewelry professionals use the word “sapphire” alone, they normally mean “blue sapphire.”

A special orangy pink sapphire color is called padparadscha, which means “lotus flower” in Sinhalese, the language spoken in Sri Lanka. Stones from Sri Lanka were initially the only ones labeled with this marketable name. There’s no telling how many padparadschas have been sifted from Sri Lankan river gravel throughout history. Sri Lankans have a special affection for the color that’s traditionally been linked with their country.

 From <http://www.gia.edu/sapphire-history-lore>