How Crystals Are Formed
Natural crystals form in a variety of ways, and crystals form in nature when molecules aggregate to stabilize as a liquid begins to cool and harden. Many crystals form when volcanic lava cools very slowly. They start out small but grow as more atoms are added and form a uniform and repeating pattern.
When there are ideal conditions and enough room to grow, crystals will have a smooth surface and exhibit their perfect shape. Sparkling, soft and silky, or hard as flint - crystals come in a thousand shapes and colors, each with its own unique mood and magical element.
Underground Creation
Deep beneath our feet, there is a whole new world – the crust. Some parts are 3 miles thick, and others are 25 miles thick. Below the crust is the mantle, which makes up more than 80% of the Earth's volume. It's made of magma -- a fiery red and orange viscous liquid that sometimes gushes upwards from cracks in the earth as spewing lava. This molten rock contains a variety of minerals.
The place where the magma and the crust meet is potent in energy and with constant movement. Parts of the crust break off into the magma and melt, having a knock-on effect on the surrounding magma as the chemistry changes. The bottom of the crust which has been worn and torn by the magma is full of nooks and crannies and cavities that provide the perfect environment for crystals to grow. High pressures and temperatures set the scene, some species form first in a pocket or open seam followed by crystals that form at a lower temperature.
Where the magma meets the crust is potent in energy and in constant motion. Parts of the earth's crust break apart into magma and melt, with chemical changes that have a knock-on effect on surrounding magma. The bottom of the crust, worn and torn by magma, is full of nooks and crannies and cavities that provide the perfect environment for crystals to grow. High pressure and high temperature set the scene, with some species first forming in pockets or slits, and then forming crystals at lower temperatures.
Of course, this whole process can take time to get to the place where gemstones are sparkling, and since our earth is unstable, there are many disturbances that can slow down the crystallization process.
When there are ideal conditions and enough room to grow, crystals will have a smooth surface and exhibit their perfect shape. Sparkling, soft and silky, or hard as flint - crystals come in a thousand shapes and colors, each with its own unique mood and magical element.
Underground Creation
Deep beneath our feet, there is a whole new world – the crust. Some parts are 3 miles thick, and others are 25 miles thick. Below the crust is the mantle, which makes up more than 80% of the Earth's volume. It's made of magma -- a fiery red and orange viscous liquid that sometimes gushes upwards from cracks in the earth as spewing lava. This molten rock contains a variety of minerals.
The place where the magma and the crust meet is potent in energy and with constant movement. Parts of the crust break off into the magma and melt, having a knock-on effect on the surrounding magma as the chemistry changes. The bottom of the crust which has been worn and torn by the magma is full of nooks and crannies and cavities that provide the perfect environment for crystals to grow. High pressures and temperatures set the scene, some species form first in a pocket or open seam followed by crystals that form at a lower temperature.
Where the magma meets the crust is potent in energy and in constant motion. Parts of the earth's crust break apart into magma and melt, with chemical changes that have a knock-on effect on surrounding magma. The bottom of the crust, worn and torn by magma, is full of nooks and crannies and cavities that provide the perfect environment for crystals to grow. High pressure and high temperature set the scene, with some species first forming in pockets or slits, and then forming crystals at lower temperatures.
Of course, this whole process can take time to get to the place where gemstones are sparkling, and since our earth is unstable, there are many disturbances that can slow down the crystallization process.