Ruth Ann Angus
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As the Stones Turn
by Ruth Ann Angus
How many of you remember crystal radios? I know. I'm reaching way back in time. It's even before my time, but I remember my mother telling us how her brother used to build crystal radio sets. Now, it never occurred to me when I grew up and took an interest in stones that the crystals growing in the depths of the earth had anything to do with those radio sets. But you know what? They did.
So what are crystals? A crystal is a solid substance where atoms and molecules are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern that extends in three spatial dimensions. Water, when it freezes, becomes crystallized. Snow flakes are crystals. Even the minute substances in your blood are tiny crystals. Quartz is a rock crystal. There are many beautifully faceted natural crystals.
Many people use crystals for metaphysical healing. It is believed they amplify energy directionally and aid in healing the body. Crystals are also used in meditative and energy work. One of the most beautiful sounds you may ever hear is the music made from the playing of crystal bowls.
Tellers of fortune make use of crystals shaped into balls. They peer into them to ascertain and read the future for people searching for answers.
There are many types of crystals that are composed of quartz. To name just a few. there is rose quartz - a delicate rose pink in color, smoky quartz that is deep black, and amethyst - a lovely shade of purple lavender, .
Metaphysical healers use crystals to clear and balance the seven basic chakras: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. This healing, as with all healing, is to place the body in balance.
At their most simple level, crystals can store light and discharge it and can convert sunlight into electricity, which is probably the secret behind the workings of the crystal radio sets.
Many experiments have been done using crystals by researchers and scientists. For instance, they have been used to capture vibratory patterns. Liquid crystal is used in conjunction with mirrors to create closed loops of light signals that correspond to a two alphabet system of information storage. Also, a model of a light-and-crystal computer is being worked on.
Many scientists believe that crystals were known to and used by past civilizations and that we have yet to uncover the secrets of their knowledge.
Crystals are found raw in nature and are also cut and polished and used in jewelry. Gemstones are precious or semi-precious stones made up of minerals that, when cut and polished, are used to make jewelry and other adornments. Polishing crystals and other stones is done with a tumbler that is filled with a type of grit to wear away, smooth, and polish the stones. The tumbler turns the stones and the grit over and over for many hours. The process is usually done is several steps, each time with grit that is finer and finer. The end product is beautiful, shiny, smooth stones that can be made into jewelry.
Other rocks, like amber, lapis lazuli, and jet, are not minerals, but are still used in jewelry making and are considered gemstones. A gemstone has a high value if it is a rare stone.
Diamonds, also a form of crystals, are said to affect their owners. The most famous of diamonds, the Hope Diamond, is believed to be cursed. The Hope is a blue diamond and it and some of its sister stones are the only blue diamonds that glow like red-hot coals when placed under ultraviolet light. Is this a mark of the curse?
Cursed gemstones are the rarity. Most gemstones and crystals are thought to have properties of good luck, healing, and other metaphysical abilities.
You can delve further into the mystic of crystals and gemstones by visiting the Sea Goddess at Beads By The Bay in Morro Bay. Here Penny Harrington offers an enormous collection of stones and gems as well as beautiful jewelry pieces. Stop in at 333 Morro Bay Boulevard to see what is offered. Penny also sells directly through her website.
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