Kyber crystal

"The heart of the lightsaber, the crystal is."

- Yoda

Kyber crystals were rare, Force-attuned crystals that grew in nature and were found on scattered planets across the galaxy. They were used by the Jedi and the Sith in the construction of their lightsabers. As part of Jedi training, younglings were sent to the crystal caves of the ice planet of Ilum to harvest crystals and then construct their own lightsabers. There were also larger, rarer crystals of great power and that, according to legends, were used at the heart of ancient superweapons by the Sith.

Description
Kyber crystals could be found in Ilum's crystal caves, in the crust of the Outer Rim world Lothal and a few other planets. The crystals concentrated energy in a unique manner and were attuned to the Force, resonating with it. They were a critical component in the construction of lightsabers, focusing energy into the weapon's distinct plasma blade. As younglings, Jedi traveled to the ice caves to harvest their own crystals, which they then used to build their lightsabers. The Force guided their selection, finding a crystal that matched them as Jedi. Crystals lacked color before they were chosen by a Jedi. Once chosen, most lightsabers became blue or green, though other shades were created in rare instances, most notably Mace Windu's purple blade, the yellow blades of the Jedi Temple Guards, and the black Darksaber. On the other hand, the Sith had distinctive red blades.

Kyber crystals were sturdy enough to survive the violent explosion of a lightsaber's power grid, such as those caused by accidently inverting the emitter matrix during the weapon's assembly.

History
"Long ago in forgotten times, when the Sith and Jedi fought for control of the galaxy, weapons there were, of unimaginable power. Always at their heart, a kyber crystal was."

- Yoda

During ancient wars between the Jedi and the Sith, in which both sides fought for control over the galaxy, superweapons were created by the Sith that were powered by giant kyber crystals. Although these stories were considered legends, a giant kyber crystal was discovered on Utapau during the Clone Wars. The Confederacy of Independent Systems attempted to acquire the crystal, but they were discovered by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. The Jedi were able to destroy the crystal, though Yoda was concerned that Darth Sidious would discover another giant kyber crystal in order to construct another superweapon.

After the fall of the Galactic Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire, Sidious&mdash;publicly known as Emperor Palpatine&mdash;and his Empire constructed the Death Star, a battle station capable of destroying entire planets. Kyber crystals were used as part of the Death Star's superlaser and the Empire continued to search for new crystals five years before the Battle of Yavin. One such crystal was located by the rebels from Lothal, who discovered its location and destroyed it. The destruction produced a large shockwave, destroying everything in its path.

Kylo Ren's lightsaber used a cracked kyber crystal, which generated more power. The excess power was vented out the sides, thus creating the crossguard design he is known for.

Appearances

 * Tarkin
 * Lost Stars
 * Ezra's Duel with Danger
 * Heir to the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Uprising
 * Tarkin
 * Lost Stars
 * Ezra's Duel with Danger
 * Heir to the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Uprising
 * Ezra's Duel with Danger
 * Heir to the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Uprising
 * Star Wars: Uprising