Aura Quartz Crystals

The beauty of Aura Quartz crystals with their shimmering iridescence and metallic rainbow sheen in colors that defy nature are mesmerizing to see. Aura crystals are Quartz crystals that have been modified by electrostatically bonding or vapor deposition of precious pure earth metals onto the surface of natural Clear Quartz points or clusters which produce a new color and visual layer that is permanently bonded to the crystals.

Aqua aura for example is created in a vacuum chamber from quartz crystals and gold vapor by vapor deposition (depositing gold vapors on the crystals). The quartz is heated to 871 °C (1600 °F) in a vacuum, and then gold vapor is added to the chamber. The gold atoms fuse to the crystal's surface, which gives the crystal an iridescent metallic sheen. When viewed under a gemological microscope in diffused light, aqua aura displays a coppery surface iridescence that has diffused dark outlines of some facet junctions, patchy blue color distribution on some facets or white facet junctions, irregular white abrasions and surface pits, where the treatment either did not "take" or had been abraded away.

Rainbow quartz for example is treated with a combination of titanium and gold. After the gold vapor deposition is completed, Titanium molecules are bonded to the quartz by the natural electrostatic charge of the crystal in a process known as magnetron ionization.

The brilliant color of flame aura as an example is the result of optical interference effects produced by layers of titanium. Since only electricity is used to deposit the titanium layers and create these colors, very little heat is involved and the integrity of the crystal is maintained. The crystal does not become brittle or prone to breakage as with other treatments.

There are many variations of aura quartz which are amazing combinations of Mother Nature’s beautiful crystals which are then modified by mankind to achieve very different and distinct appearances. Here are some of the most current Aura Crystals available in today’s market.

Angel Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Platinum and Silver, sometimes Gold or other trace metals which produce a light blue, rainbow and silvery iridescence (like the wings of angels).

Apple Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Nickel which produces a yellow-green color (similar to Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples).

Aqua Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Gold which produces an electric or sky blue crystal with subtle flashes of rainbow iridescence (named for its deep aquamarine color).

Champagne Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Gold and Indium, or with Gold and Iron (Iron Oxide) which produces a pale smoky gold metallic sheen (aka Smoky Aura Quartz).

Cobalt Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Cobalt which produces a mix of vivid shades of metallic blue, violet and gold.

Flame Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Titanium and Niobium which produces very deep blue, violet and golden metallic crystals (aka Titanium Aura Quartz).

Indigo Aura Quartz is Clear quartz bonded with Gold and Iridium which produces a deep indigo blue sheen.

Opal Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Platinum which produces an opal-like pearl sheen with subdued rainbow iridescence.

Rainbow Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Gold and Titanium which produces vivid multi-colored metallic crystals.

Rose Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Platinum (sometimes with additional Gold or Silver) which produces a raspberry-rose metallic sheen.

Ruby Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Platinum (sometimes with additional Gold or Silver) This process is the same as Rose Aura, but a different vapor mix level and intensity produces a richer, ruby-red metallic sheen.

Sunshine Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Gold and Platinum which produces a bright yellow crystal with an iridescent sheen.

Sunset Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Gold, Platinum and Iron which produces a yellow-orange-red crystal with a halo like iridescent sheen.

Tangerine Sun Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Gold and Iron which produces a yellow-orange iridescent sheen (aka Tangerine Aura Quartz).

Tanzine Aura Quartz is Clear Quartz bonded with Gold and Indium with additional Niobium which produces a mix of blue, indigo and purple crystals with a soft metallic sheen (aka Azure Aura, Celestial Aura) This is often mistakenly called Tanzanite Aura Quartz.

References

Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones (North Atlantic Books, 2007). Cassandra Eason, The New Crystal Bible (London: Carlton Books Ltd., 2010). Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible (Walking Stick Press, 2003), The Crystal Bible 2 (Walking Stick Press, 2009), The Crystal Bible 3 (Walking Stick Press, 2013), The Encyclopedia of Crystals,New Edition (Godsfield Press Ltd; New edition, 2017