As with many types of objects, crystals can be divided into groups that
have important material properties in common. There are also many examples
of families within families, e.g. Red Jasper is a form of Jasper, which
is a form of Chalcedony, which is a form of Quartz.
This page is a basic introduction to some of the most well-known types
of crystals. Most of the crystals mentioned here are also described in
more detail elsewhere on this website - the links to the left-hand-side
or the Glossary page.
| Family Name |
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General Information |
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Members of Family
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Typical Uses |
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Photographs |
| Quartz |
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Quartz is the most common
type of crystal and is predominately silicon dioxide. However, quartz
exists in very many different forms depending on the other elements
present. |
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Amethyst - exists in various shades
of purple due to the presence of the element manganese (Mn) in the
quartz. |
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Meditation, connection with one's spirituality,
cleaning/cleansing other crystals after use. |
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Chalcedony - There are many forms
of Chalcedony. See seperate section (below) |
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Citrine - aged (faded) amethyst
may be mistaken for citrine. |
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Associated with the attainment and maintenance
of wealth. Sometimes carried in purses or kept in cash tills for good
financial luck. |
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Clear Quartz - silicon dioxide
without the presence of inclusions or other elements |
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Rose Quartz - silicon dioxide
(quartz) in the presence of the element titanium (Ti), which gives
rise to the pink colour of Rose Quartz. |
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Smoky Quartz |
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| Aventurine |
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Aventurine is formed when
bright particles such as mica and/or hematite (or similar) are distributed
within a mineral such as quartz (silicon dioxide) or feldspar (also
known as flourite). It is possible to see many tiny particles within
samples e.g. tumble stones of aventurine |
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Green Aventurine - the most common
colour of aventurine, this exists in a wide range of shades of green
- from pale through to dark. |
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Used to re-balance and optimise the heart
chakra |
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Red Aventurine - colours range
from dark pink to cherry pink/red. |
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| Chalcedony |
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Chalcedony is normally classified
as a member of the quartz family. It includes many types of crystals
of which those listed opposite are only the most common examples. |
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Agate |
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Bloodstone |
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Carnelian |
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Jasper - exists in many different
compositions and hence colours. See 'Jasper Family', below. |
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Onyx |
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| Jasper |
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Jasper is an opaque (i.e.
solid in the sense that it does not transmit light) form of chalcedony,
which exists in many different colours many of which also incorporate
attractive patterns. |
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Green Jasper |
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Heart Chakra |
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Red Jasper |
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Base/Root Chakra |
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Yellow Jasper
- sometimes also known as Bruneau Jasper |
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| Tiger's Eye |
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Blue Tiger's Eye - |
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Golden Tiger's Eye - is the common
well-known form of Tiger's Eye. |
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Red Tiger's Eye - |
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