Quartz Characteristics and Crystal Formations

Also called a DT crystal for short. These types of crystals have a termination or point on both ends and can be found naturally or carved to be this shape like a wand. Since there is no base, energy flows from both ends of DT crystals and resembles the balance of giving and receiving.

Self healed crystals are crystals that have broken off of the original matrix they began forming from. This is where they get their other common name “floater”. This occurs due to various movements and shifts in the Earth (ex. earthquakes) as well as other things such as environment, pressure, and other crystals forming nearby. Once a crystal breaks off, it continues to grow over the broken end.

There are many stages of self healing. More underdeveloped self healed pieces will usually appear to be more flat with subtle scaley or triangular formations covering the area, they can be identified by moving around in various angles in the light. Other stages will have more established raised points like in the photo above. Some crystals are self healed to the point that they become a double terminated crystal.

A Scepter crystal resembles an actual Scepter, which is an ornamental staff or wand carried by a king, queen or anyone of power. A scepter crystal is a natural point that has secondary growth over the termination. The second generation crystal, or the younger crystal is bigger than the first generation crystal. Sometimes the younger crystal can be smaller, in which case is called a reverse scepter. To be a scepter crystal the secondary crystal must be growing parallel to the older crystal point. Historically scepter crystals symbolize spiritual authority and power, making them excellent for stepping into and regaining our personal divine power within.

Also called Lightbrary Quartz, Cathedral Quartz gets its name from its appearance closely resembling buttresses on cathedral architecture. It’s structure is essentially a crystal with several smaller crystal points that lead into one main crystal termination. The smaller points may or may not be completely formed or whole and grow/sit parallel to the main crystal body.

A chisel tip is when a the termination of a crystal is flat at the top and not in the shape of a traditional point. Also sometimes called “shovel tip” Quartz due to its resemblance of a shovel.

A Penetrator is a quartz point that grew into another point and can usually be seen on the inside depending on the clarity of the piece or angle of the penetrator. A Manifestation Quartz is similar to a penetrator, but there is no visible entry point of the secondary crystal growth and the point is enclosed entirely within the crystal. As the name hints, it almost looks like the crystal growth manifested within the main crystal.

A key in a Quartz crystal is caused when two crystals grew closely to one another, but is no longer intact or attached to the crystal, they look like a moulding or impression of another crystal that was growing next to it/within it, the key is visual evidence of this occurrence.  The key can be perpendicular, where you can see the 6 sides of another crystal formation and it looks like a hexagon, or it can be more vertical or parallel and appear more elongated.

An imprint is similar to a key, but has a much larger surface area and is caused by several crystals growing in close proximity and crowding. Rather than being a random isolated impression, imprints can actually alter the entire shape of the crystal.

Record keepers are small slightly raised or indented triangular shapes found on crystal faces most commonly on Quartz family crystals, but can sometimes be found on Sapphire, Rubies, and others. Record keepers are in alignment with the main crystal termination, which means the top of the triangle points upward. Sometimes, though rarely, record keepers can be upside down (these are called Trigonic record keepers). Record keepers can be found by shining a light on the faces of a natural crystal point and moving it around slowly to try to find them reflect light.

Some say Record Keepers have the ability to appear out of nowhere or move around, I’ve personally experienced finding a record keeper on a crystal I have never seen prior. It is possible that we simply just missed them on our first glance, but I prefer to believe they hold a little bit of magic in that sense.

Sometimes referred to as barcodes, Striations are parallel raised ridges or steps found on the lower faces of Quartz crystals, very rarely striations can be found on the upper faces of the crystal. They are commonly associated with Lemurian Seed Quartz, however, striations can be found on many other types of crystals in addition to Lemurian Quartz such as normal Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, and even Pyrite and Apophyllite. They can be subtle or very pronounced and can be distinguished very easily on a crystal.

Etching appears as markings on the exterior of a crystal where minerals have been washed away by hydrothermic water during its formation. Etching is completely unique to each crystal and vary in amount, size, and level of depth that has eroded. Starbraries are etchings that are exclusive on Lemurian Quartz, which are mined in Minas Gerais, Brazil and Columbia. They have a glyph-like appearance to them or geometric symbols/patterns. A lot of the starbrary markings look like asteroids falling from the sky or some kind of space-like scene.

• Starbraries are found spread out all over the globe, and each ends up with who needs it and it’s messages. There is a sense of community awakening that they inspire. They symbolize unity, and remind us that we are all connected and we all have our own soul path and purpose.

• Crystals with etching are said to hold a vast amount of information within them. You can try to tune into these messages through meditation and rubbing the etching, or try crystal gazing with etched Quartz.

• Sometimes etching or Starbrary markings are called Sigils, which is defined as “an inscribed or painted symbol considered to have magical power.” The markings on these types of crystals can be recognizable images of things that can have the ability to activate knowledge within us or connect deeper to the crystal.

A window is a small four sided diamond shape that intersects between the upper faces that lead to the termination (“R” and “Z” faces) and the lower faces (“M” faces). The window is called the "S” face of the crystal. Each side of the window face is even or equal in size, this is how to differentiate between windows and timelinks.