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 |
General Information |
Members of Family
|
Typical Uses |
Photographs |
| Quartz |
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. |
Amethyst - exists
in various shades of purple due to the presence of the
element manganese (Mn) in the quartz. |
Meditation, connection with
one's spirituality, cleaning/cleansing other crystals
after use. |
 |
Chalcedony - There
are many forms of Chalcedony. See seperate section (below)
|
|
|
Citrine - aged (faded)
amethyst may be mistaken for citrine. |
Associated with the attainment
and maintenance of wealth. Sometimes carried in purses
or kept in cash tills for good financial luck. |
 |
Clear Quartz - silicon
dioxide without the presence of inclusions or other elements |
|
 |
Rose Quartz - silicon
dioxide (quartz) in the presence of the element titanium
(Ti), which gives rise to the pink colour of Rose Quartz. |
|
 |
Smoky Quartz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Aventurine |
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 |
Green Aventurine -
the most common colour of aventurine, this exists in a
wide range of shades of green - from pale through to dark. |
Used to re-balance and optimise
the heart chakra |
 |
Red Aventurine - colours
range from dark pink to cherry pink/red. |
|
 |
| Chalcedony |
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. |
Agate |
|
|
Bloodstone |
|
|
Carnelian |
|
 |
Jasper - exists in
many different compositions and hence colours.
See 'Jasper Family', below. |
|
|
Onyx |
|
|
| Jasper |
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. |
Green Jasper |
Heart Chakra |
|
Red Jasper |
Base/Root Chakra |
|
Yellow Jasper
- sometimes also known as Bruneau Jasper |
|
 |
| Tiger's
Eye |
|
Blue Tiger's Eye -
|
|
 |
Golden Tiger's Eye
- is the common well-known form of Tiger's Eye. |
|
 |
Red Tiger's Eye -
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
