The Crystal Collection
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.
|
Add to Favorites
Crystal Divination Ball
CR01 China's Ching dynasty
Views: 771
Keywords: Ching dynasty, divination, rock, crystal, female
|
Add to Favorites
Crystal Cosmic Egg
CR02 Rock crystal cosmic egg
Views: 620
Keywords: rock crystal, cosmic, egg, meditation, Tantra
|
Add to Favorites
Crystal Head of the Buddha
CR03 Nepal, circa 19th century
Views: 583
Keywords: Nepal, crystal, Buddha
|
Add to Favorites
Meditating Buddha
CR04 Unusually large and fine rock crystal
Views: 623
Keywords: crystal, meditation, Buddha, Jain culture
|
Add to Favorites
Crystal Scepter (vajra/dorje)
CR05 Rare rock crystal
Views: 958
Keywords: crystal, scepter, vajra, dorje, Tantra, Nepal
|
Add to Favorites
Standing Buddha
CR06 Thailand, circa 19th century
Views: 647
Keywords: crystal, standing Buddha, blessing
|
Add to Favorites
Seated Meditation Buddha
CR07 Northern Thailand, Chiengsaen style
Views: 601
Keywords: meditation, seated Buddha, lotus, Chiengsaen
|
Add to Favorites
Seated Meditation Buddha
CR08 Northern Thailand, Chiengsaen style
Views: 608
Keywords: crystal, meditation, seated Buddha, lotus, Chiengsaen
|
Reclining Buddha
CR09 Thailand, circa 19th century
Views: 578
Keywords: crystal, paranirvana, Buddha, gold, leaf, Thailand
|
Add to Favorites
Conch Shell
CR11 Rare rock crystal
Views: 726
Keywords: crystal, conch shell, feminine power, Benares, India
|
Add to Favorites
Seated Meditation Buddha
CR12 Exquisite rock crystal
Views: 611
Keywords: crystal, meditation, seated Buddha, Gupta, Udayana
|
Add to Favorites
Antique rock crystal beads
CR13 Antique rock crystal beads
Views: 959
Keywords: crystal, beads, Thailand
|
Add to Favorites
Crystal Rabbit
CR14 Rare rock crystal
Views: 370
Keywords: Ming dynasty, crystal, rabbit
|
Add to Favorites
Elephant Perfume or Relic Bottle
CR15 China's Ming dynasty
Views: 438
Keywords: crystal, perfume, relic, bottle, elephant, Ming dynasty
|
Add to Favorites
Sri Yantra
CR16 Rock crystal Sri Yantra, a Tantric meditation device
Views: 751
Keywords: Sri Yantra, crystal, Tantra, meditation, Nepal
|
|