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Rock crystal is a perfectly clear, utterly colorless
form of quartz. It occurs in large veins running through the earth
and in marvelous crystals inside caverns.
Rock crystal can be mined all over Elanthia.
Rock crystal is good for dispelling illusions,
and, when properly enchanted, it can detect the flows of mana in a
fashion akin to the natural properties of blazestar. It is attuned
very strongly to the magics of divination. Followers of Jastev often
use a perfect sphere of rock crystal when divining, and a ball of
rock crystal is Jastev's traditional symbol.
Rock crystal is considered a very potent tool in
the ancient stone-tending healing techniques of Aldora, particularly
in the intact crystals. It is said to be good for clearing an addled
mind, removing diseases from the blood, and protecting against
poisons.
When going hunting, many Basingstoke gnomes wear a
talisman around their necks that is made from a perfect rock crystal
wrapped in the skin of the beast being hunted and secured with a
leather thong. These talismans are said to protect the hunter from
accidents such as the snapping of a snare or the error of a bear to
follow a deadfall route correctly. In order to keep the talismans
functioning properly, the Basingstoke apply the freshly spilled
blood of their prey to the protective crystals on a monthly basis.
The Rosengift gnomes also use rock crystal in a
variety of ways, but the Basingstoke gnomes would disapprove of most
of their techniques. When Rosengift gardeners train bushes and trees
to grow in new forms, much of the craft involves imbedding
toxin-laden shards of rock crystal into branches or roots. Also,
Rosengift alchemists often use mortars and pestles of rock crystal,
as the clear hue of the stone assists in ensuring that implements
are properly cleansed before their next use. Finally, the gnomes of
this bloodline delight in altering their bodies with eyebrow, nose,
or lip piercings as well as tattoos, and carved pieces of crystal
are often used to accent these decorations.
Quartz - rock crystal, the most common gem variety of quartz
crystal, is, like all quartz, formed from the two most abundant
elements in the earth's crust: silicon and oxygen. Quartz is
colorless and transparent. Other
colors of quartz have special names such as:
rose quartz,
citrine, and
amethyst.
The name "quartz" comes from the Greek word "krustallos",
meaning ice, because it was thought that quartz was ice formed by
the gods. The Chinese believed that rock crystal quenched
thirst when held in the mouth.
Throughout history, quartz has been the common
chameleon of gemstones, standing in for more expensive gemstones
ranging from diamond to
jade. But the incredible variety of quartz
is now beginning to be appreciated for its own sake.
Using a gazing globe made out of rock crystal, future was foretold
by magicians from all over the world. Even now, many people
believe that wearing quartz crystals benefits a person's health and
spiritual well-being.
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