User:Barringer/crystal

This is my project page to rewrite the Lightsaber crystal article.

A lightsaber crystal was a term used to describe any variety of crystals, gems, stones, or other objects used as the focus in the construction of a lightsaber. While the most common crystals used in the process were from the Adega system, specifically the planet Ilum, Jedi and Sith used a variety of crystals to produce various colors, effects and unique abilities. Some crystals could even enhance the user's connection to the Force.

Preparation
At the heart of every lightsaber was one to three multifaceted crystals that focus energy from the lightsaber's power source to produce the efficient, powerful blade about a meter in length. The crystals also serve to determine the color of the blade. The crystals need to be aligned precisely, either by hand or using telekinesis with the Force, as the slightest misalignment will result in the lightsaber detonating upon activation.

While the Jedi generally used natural crystals, the Sith often used synthetic crystals. Darth Sidious had Darth Maul use a special furnace to create his own crystals. Maul worked constantly for several days to make the four crystals needed for his double-bladed lightsaber. The New Jedi Order used synthetic crystals before re-discovering sources of natural crystals, and continued to do so after their re-discovery.

At the Dantooine Jedi Enclave circa 4,000 BBY, lightsaber crystals were used to indicate a Jedi's chosen class. Blue indicated a Jedi Guardian, a Jedi who used the force on a more physical level. Green indicated a Jedi Consular, a Jedi who preferred to ponder the mysteries of the Force and fight the dark side at its heart. Yellow indicated a Jedi Sentinel, a Jedi who honed their skills in a balance of combat and scholarly pursuits.



History
The Qixoni crystal was among the first type of crystals used by the early Jedi to power their lightsabers. However, the planet they were found on was destroyed when its star underwent a supernova. The Jedi also found many other suitable crystals, creating lightsaber blades of every known color, including purple, orange, yellow and gold. After the Battle of Ruusan, the Jedi began relying upon Ilum as their primary source for crystals, which limited the range of colors commonly used; Adegan crystals produce only green or blue blades.

During the Great Sith War epoch, many lightsabers were created using Kunda Stones, a natural geologic formation from the planet Kadril, in place of crystals. These stones boasted numerous practical applications in medicine and communications; however, when added to other focusing crystals, they produced a broader beam.

Known lightsaber crystals
There were a number of different stones, minerals, and crystals that could be used in the construction of a lightsaber. Some jewels were known for creating different colors and effects in the lightsabers in which they were placed. The most commonly used crystal among the Jedi was the Adegan crystal from the planet Ilum. The Corusca gem was used by Jacen Solo and Gantoris when they constructed their lightsabers. The Jedi Knights of the Halcyon family commonly used the Durindfire crystal to focus their lightsaber blade.


 * Ankarres Sapphire
 * B'nar's Sacrifice
 * Bane's Heart
 * Barab ore
 * Bondar
 * Compressed energy crystal
 * Corusca
 * Luxum
 * Damind
 * Dragite
 * Durindfire
 * Eralam
 * Firkrann
 * Heart of the Guardian
 * Hurrikaine
 * Jedi Exile's crystal
 * Kaiburr
 * Kasha
 * Kenobi's Legacy
 * Krayt dragon pearl
 * Lambent
 * Lava crystal
 * Lorrdian
 * Luxum
 * Mantle of the Force
 * Nextor
 * Opila
 * Jenruax
 * Phond
 * Qixoni
 * Rainbow gem
 * Rubat
 * Ruusan
 * Sapith
 * Sigil
 * Solari
 * Stygium
 * Sunrider's Destiny
 * Synth-crystal
 * Upari
 * Ultima-pearl
 * Velmorite
 * Viridian

Known color crystals
For millennia, the Jedi Order lit lightsabers in every color and hue imaginable. However, following the Battle of Ruusan, the hues of most available crystals had been limited to either blue or green. Lightsaber color crystals could also be compressed, resulting in a pulsating blade, or they could be unstable, resulting in a core which swirled and sparkled. The following is a list of all known blade colors.


 * Amber
 * Aqua (Galen Marek's modified lightsaber)
 * Blue
 * Black (White w/black core)
 * Blue/Black (Alema Rar's second lightsaber)
 * Blue, Dark (such as Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber, Kenobi's Legacy)
 * Blue, Icy
 * Blue, Jade
 * Bright Gold
 * Bronze (B'nar's Sacrifice)
 * Bronze w/ yellow core (Heart of the Guardian)
 * Brown
 * Clear (Barab Ore Ingot)
 * Crimson (such as Adi Gallia's lightsaber in 32 BBY)
 * Cyan
 * Cyan w/ silvery glow (Mantle of the Force)
 * Emerald (such as Jacen Solo's lightsaber before his ascension to Sith Lord)
 * Gold
 * Gray
 * Green
 * Green, Dark
 * Green, Jade
 * Green, Light
 * Indigo
 * Lava (Lava crystal)
 * Magenta
 * Orange (such as Kyle Katarn in 10 ABY or Freedon Nadd)
 * Pearl White (Krayt Dragon Pearl)
 * Pink (Bane's Heart)
 * Rainbow (Shifts through the color spectrum)
 * Red (Darth Andeddu's Crystal, generic Sith/Dark Jedi lightsaber)
 * Red, Blood (Qixoni)
 * Red, Dark
 * Red, Light
 * Reddish-purple (Lambent)
 * Silver (Durindfire)
 * Silvery-blue
 * Silvery-green (Viridian crystal)
 * Teal (Sunrider's Destiny)
 * Violet (such as Mace Windu, Anakin, and Jaina Solo's lightsabers)
 * Violet, Dark
 * Violet, Light
 * White
 * Yellow
 * Yellow, Dark
 * Yellow, Light
 * Yellowish-green
 * Yellowish-orange

Behind the Scenes
Most crystals with special properties were from various video game and role playing game sources. Since these special powers were often a function of game play, and not of the storyline, it is questionable if these powers are truly canon. However, since there are several examples of crystals with special powers in actual storylines (e.g. Lambent, Kaiburr, etc.), it is generally accepted that other crystals had special powers as well.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement
 * Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: Knights of Suffering
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
 * Jedi Quest: Path to Truth
 * Jedi Quest comic
 * Jedi Quest: The Final Showdown
 * Clone Wars Chapter 14
 * Clone Wars Chapter 15
 * MedStar II: Jedi Healer
 * The Last of the Jedi: Dark Warning
 * Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows
 * Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
 * Star Wars Galaxies
 * Star Wars: Empire at War
 * Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
 * Shadows of the Empire novel
 * Young Jedi Knights: Lightsabers