Synthetic lightsaber crystal

A Synthetic lightsaber crystal, or Synth-crystal was a synthetic reconstruction of a crystal, commonly with a red shading rather than those geometric models naturally created, although they can be made in any color. Due to the common red shading, they were often nicknamed 'bloodshine blades'. Synthetic crystals were used because they created a more powerful blade and were more easily augmented.

Overview
They were frequently used by dark-siders, most of all the Sith. The Sith Lord; Darth Sidious produced unique synthetic crystals for all his apprentices, using his considerable powers and abilities to create extremely powerful blades that were practically alive with the dark side. However, one of his apprentices, Darth Vader, used a synthetic crystal colored light crimson, instead of the red shading used by his predecessors. Sith synth-crystals were usually made by the Sith master, rather than his apprentice, although Darth Maul was one notable exception.

All synthetic crystals used by the Sith generated a blade slightly more powerful than traditional, natural crystals, but the blade was also less maneuverable and more unstable than that of their Jedi counterparts. Though rare, it was known that Sith-made lightsabers with synthetic crystals could, on occasion, overload the blade of a regular lightsaber, causing it to short out.

It was common for the Sith to use the Force to channel their hatred for the Jedi during the forging process, imbuing it with the dark side of the Force and shaping it into greater potency.

Some Jedi also created synth-crystals, most notably Luke Skywalker and Jaina Solo. These usually had colors other than red, presumably because of the Sith or dark side connotation of a red-bladed lightsaber. Skywalker created a green crystal, while Solo produced a violet one. In fact, because Sidious had most of the sites where crystals occurred naturally looted or destroyed, the New Jedi Order had to rely on synth-crystals almost exclusively.

Not all red lightsaber crystals were synthetic. They were known to form naturally in the Crystal Caves on Dantooine, along with blue, green, yellow and violet crystals. However, unlike these colors, red crystals were typically found in unhatched kinrath eggs.

Behind the scenes

 * In Knights of the Old Republic and its sequel, red crystals can be obtained by smashing kinrath eggs, to signify the evil action of killing an innocent, unborn creature; however, no dark side points are gained, possibly due to the fact that the creatures are vicious and apparently over-abundant.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (game)
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Shadows of the Empire
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
 * Young Jedi Knights: Lightsabers