How Crystals Are Formed in the Earth
Crystals are formed by the presence of elements in the form of solids, liquids, and gases. These elements are subject to heat which eventually leads to cooling. This cooling creates crystals as ordered chemical bonds which can be formed over longer periods of time.
The slower the cooling process the larger the crystals are. It is also important in many instances that there is room for crystals to form. Vugs, or pockets of air, will have these elements trapped within them to allow for crystals to grow.
Crystals in the earth can take time to form through heat and cooling. Not all crystals will need longer amounts of time to form like some of the harder minerals you find within the earth.
The formation of crystals can take as little as a few minutes, to hours, and even as long as many years in time. The time it takes for crystals to form rely on the elements and environmental conditions involved. Some notable crystals such as topaz and amethyst can take thousands of years to form within the earth.
There are three common ways crystals are formed:
- Crystals formed by liquid cooling process – Magma or other liquids, rich with elements, will end up cooling over a very long period of time. Sometimes the cooling can be quick. In those quick cases the crystals will be smaller or not viewable by the eye.
- Crystals formed by precipitating process – Pockets of air may contain gases along with surrounding elements in the rock. Heat and pressure will cause precipitation in these pockets. As cooling happens crystals will form within those open pockets.
- Crystals formed by evaporation process – Evaporation does not require great amounts of heat. Some crystals, like gypsum, are formed through the evaporation process. New chemical bonds form crystals as the liquid evaporates.
Crystal Growth
Crystals will grow naturally within rocks when there is heating, cooling, and other environment conditions. Crystal growth can occur in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Larger growth of crystals will usually require longer, or slower, periods of cooling time including space for growth.
Crystals grow due to chemical bonds which need to be in a very periodic and ordered manner. This growth pattern is referred to as a crystal lattice which is capable of extending in all directions. Growth of any crystals requires some amount of time for the chemical bonds to happen.
Crystal growth is important as it goes deep into the study of chemical bonds and earth’s minerals. Since crystal growth can be artificially contained, scientists can study the chemical compositions and bonds created through the bonding of crystals.
When it comes to crystal growth, it is not always perfect. Chemical bonds in the growth of crystals can be hindered due to impurities or obstructions as the crystal forms. This can often yield imperfect crystal formations.
Contents of Crystals
Crystals are made of ordered elements that have been bonded through a period of time. Often crystals are made out of multiple different bonded elements. Some elements that make up the crystals contents will play a major role in its color.
A crystal is also considered a mineral. The two terms are often used interchangeably as they both have structured elemental bonds. Where it falls short by definition, is a crystal cannot be a mineral if it is artificially made.
Crystals are formed from rocks
Crystals are not rocks but are essentially a mineral formed from rocks. Rocks are the matter that contain elements to create crystals. Crystals cannot be a rock as they are an ordered chemical bond that makes up a mineral, not a rock.
Finding Earths formed Crystals
Crystals are found in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Some crystals cannot be found by visual means as the crystals are too small for the eye. Larger crystals are more easily found and will often have a visible edge and can have a light reflective surface.
Some of the best crystals that can be found are contained within pockets of air, like geodes, where there is some room for the crystals to grow. A lot of these types of crystals have edges where there is a point at the top of the crystal and its bottom is anchored to the rock.
Uses of Earths Formed Crystals
Crystals are used primarily for jewelry or decoration. Crystals are often displayed around the home and in other locations as well as used in rings, necklaces, earrings, and other adorned jewelry.
Some will use crystals or other minerals as some sort of way to spiritually heal or give other unseen ability’s to the holder. These are typically said to be healing abilities.
When people talk about crystal meanings, or the meaning behind a crystal, they are referring to spiritual or health benefits from the crystal. These benefits can range from physical healing to mental wellness to even receiving good luck.
Though I do not go down these lines of thought in regards to crystals, and I won’t promote them in this way, there are many that do. I say if you feel better holding or looking at a crystal then all the power to you. Hey, I love rocks and minerals too!
