About Rock Crystal
Rock crystal owes its name to the ancient Greeks who found it in caves near holy Mount Olympus, and called it krustallos meaning ice, believing it to be especially pure water permanently frozen by the gods. In India, rock crystal is known as sphatik.
Rock crystal, which is the clear form of the mineral quartz, is characterized by its spiritual purity, clearness and coolness. lt is naturally colorless, transparent and has a hardness of 7. Clarity is an important factor when judging the quality of rock crystal, which in its raw form is graded and purchased by weight. The larger a fine quality rock crystal is, the more valuable it is to the carver. Ancient civilizations learnt to cut rock crystal using sand, a material of equal hardness, making jewelry, luxury items and things related to divination, sorcery, healing and psychic protection.
Rock crystal is a very versatile multi-purpose healing stone. Though not meant to replace traditional medical treatment, quartz or rock crystals can be used to balance or increase energy, especially in Tantra traditions. Rock crystal can be used for spiritual cleansing, to attract or repel occult forces, to aid meditation, to program or amplify energy and for all kinds of healing. It can be very effective in strengthening the immune system, stimulating natural crystals within body tissues and fluids.
Rock crystal is used for both ornamental and spiritual carvings - from spheres (crystal balls), egg-shapes, and pyramids, to figurines, reliquaries, amulets and wands. In Tantra practice, from India to Nepal, China, and as far East as Cambodia, rock crystal was and still is used for divination, aura-cleansing and especially to make Yantras, Vajra scepters, Phurpa knives, and for Lingam and Yoni carvings, and protective amulets.
It is believed that wearing rock crystal helps the development of spiritual qualities, aids concentration, gives undisturbed sleep, and protects against curses. It is auspicious to wear rock crystal while offering oblations for departed ancestors. People of many cultures believe that wearing rock crystal or having items of rock crystal in the house will bring good fortune, increase sexual powers, and protect against dangerous animals or negative influences.
Rock crystal often has inclusions of other minerals and these inclusions sometimes produce different visual and psychic effects. Rock crystal with rutile inclusions, phantom forms within, tourmalinated needles, milky clouds, smoky and different subtle colorations are some of the varieties included in this exhibit, which features fine quartz carvings from India, Burma, Nepal, Tibet, and China.
