The crystallization process has long fascinated humans across all cultures and corners of the globe, and with good reason. These stunning rock formations dazzle and delight those who hold and look at them. Some even believe that crystals contain spiritual energy and view them as valuable possessions to keep and hold dear.
Learning about how is crystal formed is essential if you want to start collecting these stunning stones. The process is robust and natural, occurring deep beneath the Earth’s surface. You’ll need to journey there to gain a crystal-clear understanding of how favorite crystal snowflakes developed.
The good news is that you’ve found the perfect guide to learning more about how crystals are formed and the most popular crystals to add to your growing collection. Keep reading to learn more today!
How Are Crystals Formed?
In the simplest terms, crystals come from beneath the Earth’s surface. The area beneath the Earth’s crust is filled with molten magma and several minerals. The combination of high pressure, high temperatures, and these minerals produce stunning and unique crystals.
Consider the crystallization process as the fruit of the Earth’s existence. The word crystal dates back to the Ancient Greeks, and the Greek word “krustallos” means ice rock crystal. The Greeks compared these stones to ice due to their clear appearance.
The process of forming crystals occurs when atoms are rearranged in a microscopic structure. The crystal lattice begins extending in all directions. Salt crystal forms in a different manner than natural crystal. Still, they’re both crystals with the same arrangement of atoms.
Types of Crystals
Knowing how crystal is formed is the tip of the iceberg when learning more about crystallization. It is essential to learn about the different types of crystals and how they’re created. The colors, textures, and shapes are all different and fascinating to behold.
Here’s a closer look at Earth’s most common types of crystals.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a form of quartz, and it’s noteworthy for its striking purple color. It’s most common in South America, especially Brazil, and Uruguay. The purple color results from the natural irradiation of iron inclusions within the quartz crystals.
Low levels of irradiation result in deeper purple colors with amethyst. It was considered a highly valuable gemstone for centuries until the 18th century. The large deposits of these crystals in South America caused their value to plummet compared to other crystals like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.
Celestite
Celestite is another common shining stone on Earth. It’s a crystal that comes from strontium, and it features a beautiful pale blue color. Some celestite crystals also feature a light yellow hue.
It’s a crystal that is most common on the island of Madagascar. This crystal forms in massive geodes in this region.
The large geodes get processed with crushers and lump breakers for an efficient mining and production process after the crystallization process ends. It’s a popular option for crystal collectors since it’s easy to find and affordable compared to other crystal snowflakes.
Azurite
If stunning crystals are your desire, you need not look further than azurite. It’s a deep and wonderful blue, and it’s a crystal that comes from copper. Many people love azurite due to the depth of the blue colors and the clarity they provide.
Ancient civilizations valued azurite as a means to gain colors for painting purposes. They’re most common in small crystals, though massive nodules have also been discovered. The color and the contrasting pattern make them popular for collectors looking for a vibrant crystal option.
Fluorite
Fluorite is another notable crystal that forms beneath the Earth’s surface during the crystallization process. It offers a wide range of colors, which is perfect if you’re looking for a unique crystal to add to your collection. It’s also a fluorescent crystal under UV light, adding more beauty to this crystal.
Green is the most common color for fluorite, though purple is another common coloration. You can also find crystals that are a mix o multiple colors, especially with yellow hues added. You’ll most often find fluorite in cubic formations, and it’s popular among collectors for its various colors and shapes.
Garnet
Garnets are small silicate minerals that develop under intense heat and pressure. Countless civilizations have used them over thousands of years as decorative stones for jewelry. They also make excellent abrasives since they offer excellent hardness. You’ll find over a dozen types of garnets when you dive into collecting crystals.
The colors and shapes of garnets are consistent, though the chemical makeup differs. They’re great crystals to consider if you’re starting a collection and you want a stunning first salt crystal.
Malachite
Malachite is notable for the vivid green color it provides. It comes from copper deposits beneath the Earth’s surface, and it often begins as a tight cluster that grows into needles and forms a solid mass of crystal.
You’ll find all shades of green in malachite crystals. They’re an excellent shining stone, and you can bring out the green colors even more with proper treatment for these crystals. It’s been prized as a copper ore for metalworking and a decorative stone for clothing and jewelry.
Pyrite
Pyrite was the bane of many a gold miner in the 19th century, and it earned its name the hard way. It’s most commonly known as Fool’s Gold since it looks somewhat similar to gold. It’s a golden, metallic crystal formation that forms in perfect cubes.
The Victoria Mine in Spain is the most famous source of pyrite in the world. The stunning appearance and affordable price make pyrite a welcome addition to a crystal collection.
Now You’re an Expert on How Is Crystal Formed
Diving deep below the Earth’s crust, it’s simple to learn how is crystal formed when you account for high pressure and scorching temperatures. Magma rearranges the atomic structure of minerals and produces stunning crystal snowflakes like amethyst and garnet. They’re the fruit of Earth’s labor, and they make an excellent conversation piece and collector’s item.
Learning more about the world around you is essential for growth and knowledge. Check out the rest of our blog content for more eye-opening knowledge today.
