Faden Quartz
$54.00
Fadens have been a long time favorite of mine, as you might guess based on my odd crystal loves. Let's chat about what makes it so interesting and special. "Faden" (pronounced "fah-den") means "thread" and refers to a white line that runs through the crystal. Faden quartz forms in fissures in the host rock that widen slowly and steadily.
Quartz crystals inside the host rock will rupture when the fissure opens. In a silica rich solution, this rupture will heal quickly, forming a crystal that is attached to the opposing rock walls and bridges the new opening. While the fissure continues to open steadily, the crystal will also continue to crack and heal. Because growth is much quicker on fractured surfaces than on regular faces and because it leads to small regular faces on the opposite conchoidal fracture surfaces that do not perfectly match, some of the growth solution is included in the crystal. The repeated rupturing and healing leaves a scar of liquid and gas inclusions in the crystal: a white thread, the "faden". (This info curtesy of Mindat, which has a wealth of great info)
So they grow in cracks holding onto the walls on both sides, continually healing and breaking. I find them so fascinating and wonderfully mysterious and lovely. This piece is a high quality example.
Metaphysically, these are prized for healing.
Origin :: Waziristan, Pakistan
Measurements :: 42 x 42 x 26 mm
Weight :: 1 oz
Quartz crystals inside the host rock will rupture when the fissure opens. In a silica rich solution, this rupture will heal quickly, forming a crystal that is attached to the opposing rock walls and bridges the new opening. While the fissure continues to open steadily, the crystal will also continue to crack and heal. Because growth is much quicker on fractured surfaces than on regular faces and because it leads to small regular faces on the opposite conchoidal fracture surfaces that do not perfectly match, some of the growth solution is included in the crystal. The repeated rupturing and healing leaves a scar of liquid and gas inclusions in the crystal: a white thread, the "faden". (This info curtesy of Mindat, which has a wealth of great info)
So they grow in cracks holding onto the walls on both sides, continually healing and breaking. I find them so fascinating and wonderfully mysterious and lovely. This piece is a high quality example.
Metaphysically, these are prized for healing.
Origin :: Waziristan, Pakistan
Measurements :: 42 x 42 x 26 mm
Weight :: 1 oz