Rock crystal: properties, virtues and benefits

Rock crystal is a beautiful, transparent, colorless natural stone that has been highly prized in jewelry and lithotherapy for thousands of years. It has been used to create decorative objects such as vases and bowls, as well as jewelry items such as pendants and amulets. Create your own natural stone jewelry with rock crystal beads and components. Get inspired by our tutorials!

What is the significance of rock crystal?

The name of this natural stonecomes from the Greek "krystallos", meaning "ice". In ancient Greece, it was thought to be eternal ice that had been solidified to its maximum by the gods, to such an extent that it would never melt. The name refers to its limpid color and purity.
It is also known as colorless hyaline quartz.

The origins of rock crystal

Rock crystal was already used in prehistoric times to make cutting tools (arrowheads, knives, blades) and piercing tools to cut holes in various materials such as shells, bone or wood, to create necklaces, ornaments and symbolic ritual objects.

In ancient Egypt, rock crystal was used to make jewelry, amulets and ritual objects. It was considered a protective stone.
Among the Greeks, in 1500 BC, the Mycenaeans were already cutting, engraving and sculpting this transparent stone to make goblets.
The Romans used it to make jewelry and decorative objects. In his "Natural History", the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder described rock crystal, which he called "lapis specularis". He described it as a kind of stone very similar to ice, solid, not melting in hot water, and as transparent as glass. He recognized its special optical properties.

During the Renaissance, it was used to make candlesticks, chandeliers and objets d'art, as well as hanaps (large drinking vessels), bowls and vases.

In the 19th century, this gemstone was used to make lenses for telescopes and microscopes because of its optical clarity.

The Mayans used it as a divining rod, believing it had the power to detect water. As for the civilizations of the Middle East, they believed that rock crystal had a supernatural power to make people invisible.
In the Middle East, it was believed to have the power to make people invisible.

What are the properties of rock crystal?

This colorless quartz belongs to the Quartz family. Its hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale, making it a relatively hard stone that can be cut in a wide range of shapes. Its density is around 2.6 g/cm³.

What color is rock crystal?

It is colorless and transparent. It has a vitreous lustre.

Where can I find rock crystal?

Rock crystal is found all over the world. The finest specimens come from deposits in Brazil, the United States (Arkansas), the Himalayas, Madagascar and Europe (the Alps).

What are the benefits of rock crystal?

In lithotherapy, rock crystal is considered a stone of light and purity. It is a receiver, transmitter, transformer and amplifier of energy. It promotes meditation and harmony, and enhances self-confidence and intuition. Lithotherapists also claim that this clear quartz is capable of capturing negative waves and dispelling stress.
What is the chakra of rock crystal? It acts on all the chakras.

This translucent stone is the ideal gemstone for the astrological signs Gemini, Leo and Capricorn.

Please note: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. The effects of stones have not been scientifically proven. Natural stones are not a substitute for medical expertise or treatment.

How do I clean and recharge a rock crystal?

For lithotherapists, it's important to cleanse and recharge your rock crystal so that it can rid itself of all the negative energies it has accumulated and regain all its virtues.

To cleanse your stone, immerse it for a few hours in a container ofdemineralized or slightly saltedwater. And to purify this natural stone, try fumigation with sage sticks.
Recharging is very simple: place the rock crystal in direct sunlight for several hours.

Its special feature: it can recharge, strengthen and activate all other gemstones.

How do I wear rock crystal?

Rock crystal's transparency means it can be combined with any metal. You can create natural stone jewels with stainless steel, 925 silver, gold-platedstainless steel,gold-plated or gold-filled jewel primers, without fear of hitting the wrong note.
Which stone should be associated with rock crystal? Lithotherapy practitioners agree that most quartz stones can be combined with each other. Other stones can be chosen to accentuate their benefits:

• rock crystal withamethyst for meditation and concentration,
• rock crystal with citrine for positive thinking and abundance,
• rock crystal with rose quartz to encourage harmony,
• rock crystal with lapis lazuli to combine wisdom, communication and clarity,
• rock crystal withtiger's eye to boost concentration.

What stone shouldn't be combined with rock crystal?Hematite,black obsidian, black tourmaline and labradorite are natural stones that should not be combined with rock crystal. They have opposing energies, or energies that are too powerful and could interfere with the benefits of rock crystal.