The Pagan Heart
Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade - Crystal Reference

By Catherine M.

   

Index of Crystals:

  1. Agate
  2. Amber
  3. Amethyst
  4. Aventurine
  5. Bloodstone
  6. Calcite
  7. Carnelian and Chalcedony
  8. Clear Quartz
  9. Emerald
  10. Fluorite
  11. Garnet
  12. Hematite
  13. Jasper
  14. Jet
  15. Lapis Lazuli
  16. Moonstone
  17. Onyx
  18. Opal
  19. Rhodochrosite
  20. Tiger's Eye
  21. Turquoise
  22. Periodot
  23. Rose Quartz
  24. Sunstone

   

   

Agate

Agate is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - translucent
Density - 2.65
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap. Leave out in the sun periodically
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash monthly under warm running water. Wear against the skin regularly

   

   

Amber

Amber is an organic compound. The chemical information for Amber, which is formed from a mixture of hydrocarbons, is as follows:


Formation - amorphous
Occurance - uncommon
Colour - honey-yellow, yellow-brown, brown, red-brown, blue, gree, black
Steak - white
Luster - resinous, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, rare opaque
Density - 1.0-1.1
Hardness - 2-2.5
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - massive irregular or drop-shaped aggregates, nodules, fragments


   


Available forms for use - frough stone, touchstone, polished beads, pendant, jewelry
Cleaning - wash in fresh lukewarm water, no soa. Do not leave in sunlight as this will make it brittle.
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash in lukewarm running water when it becomes sluggish to respond - this is observable in that the amber will warm slower that usual when held.

   

   

Amethyst

Amethyst is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous, silky, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap. Do not expose to sunlight to dry or charge
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash monthly under warm running water. Place amidst dry haematite. Charge by leaving out under the full moon

   

   

Aventurine

Aventurine is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Colour - white, light green through to dark green, dark blue
Luster - vitreous, silky, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh lukewarm water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash after each use in lukewarm running water. Place out in the sunlight to recharge

   

   

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous, silky, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh lukewarm water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash after each use in lukewarm running water. Place amidst dry hematite to charge overnight

   

   

Calcite

Calcite is a member of the Carbonate group. The chemical information for Calcite (CaCo3) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - common
Colour - colourless, white, grey, yellow, brown, pink, red, blue, green, black
Streak - white
Luster - vitreous to pearly
Diaphaneity - transparent to opaque
Density - 2.7
Hardness - 3
Cleavage - perfect
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - crystals of various habit, concretations, stalactities, oolitic aggregates, granular, massive
Luminescence - sometimes red to orange


   


Available forms for use - tumbled stones, chunks of raw rock, polished gems, powder
Cleaning - clean under warm running water on a monthly basis
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - when calcite needs recharging, place overnight among rock crystals

   

   

Carnelian and Chalcedony

Carnelian and Chalcedony are almost the same rock - chalcedony however has a milky opaque quality while carnelian is translucent. They are oxide rocks, and members of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous, silky, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - rough stones, tumbled stone, jewelry, touchstone, pendant, sphere
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - clean both crystals monthly under warm running water. Leave carnelian in the sun and wear it against the skin. Recharge chalcedony overnight among amethyst crystals

   

   

Clear Quartz

Quartz is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous, silky, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash monthly under warm running water. Place amidst dry hematite. Charge by leaving out in the sunlight

   

   

Emerald

Emerald is a silicate, and a member of the Beryl group. The chemical information for Beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) is as follows:


Formation - hexagonal
Occurance - abundant
Colour - variable from yellow to green to blue, white, and pink
Streak - white
Luster - vitreous to dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7.5-8
Cleavage - imperfect
Fracture - uneven to conchoidal
Morphology - long prismatic to tabular crystals, columnar and radial aggregates, granular, and massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - Wash under warm running water after use. Charge by leaving out in the sunlight or in a bowl of rock crystal and/or ruby

   

   

Fluorite

Fluorite is a halide rock. The chemical information for Fluorite (CaF2) is as follows:


Formation - cubic
Occurance - extremely common
Colour - colourless through white, yellow, red, green, blue, purple, brown, and black
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 3.2
Hardness - 4
Cleavage - perfect
Fracture - conchoidal to splintery
Morphology - combinations of cubic crystals, granular, and massive


   


Available forms for use - feldspar pieces, touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh lukewarm water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash after each use in lukewarm running water. Place amidst rock crystal to charge overnight, or out in the sunlight

   

   

Garnet

The Garnet Group is a member of the Silicate family, and actually includes a variety of crystals - such as Pyrope, Almandine, Spessartine, Grossular, Andradite, and Uvarovite. It is formed from the ions of 2 metals - (SiO4)3 and either Mg3Al2; Fe3Al2; Mn3Al2; Ca3Al2; Ca3Fe3+2; or Ca3Cr2. The chemical information is as follows:


Formation - Cubic
Occurance - abundant (except Uvarovite which is rare)
Colour - red to purple, orange to yellow, brown to colourless, green
Streak - white
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent
Density - 3.4-4.3
Hardness - 6.5-7.5
Cleavage - none
Fracture - B conchoidal to uneven
Morphology - isometric crystals, granular


   


Available forms for use - rough stone, jewelry, tumbled stone, cut stone
Cleaning - wash in warm running water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - Skin contact is important in cleansing and charging garnets. Place in the sun to recharge

   

   

Hematite

Hematite is an Iron Oxide, and a member of the Oxide group. The chemical information for Hematite (Fe2O3) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - common
Colour - red, grey, and black
Streak - red
Luster - metallic or dull
Diaphaneity - opaque
Density - 5.3
Hardness - 5.5-6.5
Cleavage - none
Fracture - Conchoidal, uneven, splintered
Morphology - thick to thin tabular crystals, massive, earthy


   


Available forms for use - rough stones, cut and polished amulets, tumbled stones, jewelry
Cleaning - Do not clean in water
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - Rest in a pile of rock crystals where the hematite will release any gathered negative energy and recharge

   

   

Jasper

Jasper is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous, silky, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh lukewarm water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash after each use in lukewarm running water. Place amidst dry hematite to charge overnight

   

   

Jet

Jet is an organic material - petrified coal. The chemical information for Jet (C) is as follows:


Formation - amorphous
Occurance - common
Colour - black, opaque
Streak - brown
Luster - velvety, waxy
Diaphaneity - opaque
Density - 1.19-1.35
Hardness - 2.5-4
Fracture - conchoidal


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - never place in water or leave in the sun. Use a soft cloth to polish it
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - This takes two nights - one night in salt, the second in rock crystals

   

   

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is rock, not a mineral, fomed by the combination of four minerals (Hauynite, Sodalite, Noselite, and Lazulite). The chemical information for Lapis Lazuli ( (Na,Ca)8[(S,SO4,Cl2)2/(AISiO4)6]+Fe ) is as follows:


Colour - light greenish blue through to dark purple blue, often with flecks of pyrite
Diaphaneity - opaque
Hardness - 5.5
Morphology - as a sodium-silicate-aluminium composite, Lapis doesn't tend to form crystals


   


Available forms for use - rough stone, jewelry, tumbled stone, cut stone
Cleaning - use a soft cloth - DO NOT WASH as water can dissolve the stone
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - Monthly, place the stones in a bowl with haematite overnight and then recharge among rock crystal

   

   

Moonstone

Moonstone is a silicate rock and a member of the Orthoclase Feldspar group. The chemical information for Feldspar (KAISi3O8) is as follows:


Formation - monoclinic
Occurance - extremely common
Color - colorless, white, yellowish, pinkish, grey, brown
Streak - white
Luster - vitreous to pearly
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent
Density - 2.5
Hardness - 6 - 6.5
Cleavage - good
Fracture - uneven to conchoidal
Morphology - prismatic and tabular crystals and their combinations, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - always cut to bring out the sheen, jewelry, amulet, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - place amidst dry haematite - if you are female, cleanse it after menstruation. Charge by leaving out under the full moon

   

   

Onyx

Onyx are oxide rocks, and members of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - translucent
Density - 2.65
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - rough stones, tumbled stone, jewelry, touchstone, pendant
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - discharge the crystal weekly under fresh running water. Burying during the dark of the moon will help recharge it

   

   

Opal

Opal is an oxide rock. The chemical information for Opal (SiO2.nH2O) is as follows:


Formation - amorphous
Occurance - extremely common
Colour - colourless, white, red, iridescence, brown, yellow, green, grey, blue
Steak - white
Luster - vitreous, dull, earthy, waxy
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.1
Hardness - 5.5-6.5
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - botryoidal and stalactite aggregates, coatings, concretions, geodes, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, rough stone, tumbled, chips
Cleaning - soak often in water for 30 minutes, no soap. Soap, make-up, lotions, and perfume remove the sparkle of opal, so cleanse regularly. Some people recommend never using opal with other crystals, but I have always found opal to be a good companion stone. Do not leave in the sun
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - recharge in rock crystals

   

   

Periodot

Periodot is a member of the Olivine family of minerals. The chemical information for Periodot (Mg2SiO4, Fe2SiO4) is as follows:


Formation - orthorhombic
Occurance - common
Colour - yellowish-green
Streak - white
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - translucent to transparent
Density - 3.3
Hardness - 6.5-7
Fracture - conchoidal


   


Available forms for use - gem, pendant, jewelry, rough stone, tumbled, chips
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap.
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - discharge under running water daily when using. Recharge in the sun for a few hours.

   

   

Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite is a member of the Carbonates. The chemical information for Rhodochrosite (MnCO3) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - abundant
Colour - white, pink, red, brown
Streak - white
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent
Density - 3.6
Hardness - 3.5-4
Cleavage - perfect
Fracture - conchoidal to uneven
Morphology - rhombohedral and scalenohedral crystals, hemispherical and botryoidal aggregates, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - polished, tumbled rocks, jewelry, rough stone, touchstones
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap. Do not expose to sunlight to dry or charge
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - always discharge after use in running water. Use rock crystals to charge. Wear it if it starts to discolour as your own energy will recharge and cleanse it

   

   

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - translucent
Density - 2.65
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap.
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash monthly under warm running water or leave amongst hematite. Recharge overnight with amethyst.

   

   

Sunstone

Sunstone is one of the feldspar group of minerals. The chemical information for Sunstone (NaAlSi3O8 - CaAli2Si2O8) is as follows:


Formation - triclinic although rarely seen as crystals
Occurance - common
Colour - white, yellow, orange, pink, or brown with a reddish or golden sheen
Steak - white
Luster - vitreous
Diaphaneity - opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 6-6.5
Cleavage - good
Fracture - uneven to conchoidal
Morphology - tabular crystals, platy aggregates, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, rough stone, tumbled, chips
Cleaning - wash in fresh lukewarm water, no soap.
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash monthly under warm running water and recharge in sunlight for a few hours.

   

   

Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye is an oxide rock, and a member of the Quartz group. The chemical information for Quartz (SiO2) is as follows:


Formation - trigonal
Occurance - extremely common
Luster - vitreous, silky, dull
Diaphaneity - transparent to translucent, opaque
Density - 2.6
Hardness - 7
Cleavage - none
Fracture - conchoidal
Morphology - long to short prismatic, acicular, dipyramidal to tabular crystals, fibrous, botryoidal and stalactitic aggregates and coatings, concretions, geodes, granular, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - only wear for a few days at a time. Wash under warm running water after use. Charge by leaving out in the sunlight

   

   

Turquoise

Turquoise is a phosphate rock. The chemical information for Turquoise (CuAI6(PO4)4(OH)8.4 H2O) is as follows:


Formation - triclinic
Occurance - uncommon
Color - blue, blue-green, green
Streak - white
Luster - waxy
Diaphaneity - transparent, translucent to opaque
Density - 2.9
Hardness - 5 - 6
Cleavage - good
Fracture - uneven to conchoidal
Morphology - short prismatic crystals, botryoidal aggregates, coatings, massive


   


Available forms for use - touchstone, pendant, jewelry, geode, cross-section, rough stone, tumbled
Cleaning - wash in fresh water, no soap. Do not expose to sunlight to dry or charge
Metaphysical Cleansing and Charging - wash monthly under warm running water. Place amidst dry haematite. Charge by leaving overnight in a bowl of rock crystals

   

   

   

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