Lightsaber crystal

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.

At the heart of every lightsaber was a set of crystals that resonated to produce the efficient, powerful blade. While the most common crystals used in the process were from the Adega system, Ilum, and Dantooine (in the so-called "Crystal Cave"), Jedi and Sith used a variety of crystals to produce various colors, effects and unique abilities. Some crystals could even enhance the Force skills of a particular user. Other gems, such as colored crystals or diamonds, were used exclusively for prismatic effects. However not all lightsaber crystals were actually crystals at all. There were plenty of exceptions where a Jedi or Sith would use a different material or substance in place of a crystal, such as physical remains, shards of glass, and even special micro machinery.

Preparation


Before placing the crystal in the lightsaber, the Jedi or Sith must imbue them with the Force. To do this, the Force-user must meditate on the crystals for many days. Luke Skywalker meditated on his crystals in Ben Kenobi's home for many days with only R2-D2 to keep him company. While the Jedi used natural crystals, the Sith often used synthetic crystals. Darth Sidious made Darth Maul use a special furnace to make his own crystals. Maul worked constantly for several days to make the four crystals needed for his double-bladed lightsaber. Their creation required intense concentration, as Darth Maul had to use the Force to make them the proper shape and to ensure that the crystals were free from impurities. He was particularly proud of this achievement and believed it to be an example of the Sith's superiority over the Jedi.

However, it should be noted that Sidious did not make his subsequent apprentices; Tyranus and Vader; create their crystals in such a manner, instead supplying them with ones he probably made himself.

It is also significant that Luke Skywalker used a special furnace he found in Obi-Wan Kenobi's home to prepare his crystal. In both Skywalker and Maul's cases, the creator channeled their Force energies into the crystals as it was formed, making it unique in every way, including in color.

Around 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 lever. 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.

This distinction fell out of practice in later years. Most Jedi used blue or green crystals in later years, based on the supply on the various source worlds. Purple, yellow, and orange crystals were still used by some Jedi until the the fall of the Jedi Order, but they were exceedingly rare, and often passed down through the generations.

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. Often, the rarer the crystal, the more powerful its effects on a lightsaber were.


 * Adegan
 * Ankarres Sapphire
 * B'nar's Sacrifice
 * Bane's Heart
 * Barab Ore Ingot
 * Bondar
 * Compressed energy crystal
 * Corusca Gem
 * Damind
 * Dragite
 * Durindfire
 * Eralam
 * Firkrann
 * Heart of the Guardian
 * Hurrikaine


 * Jedi Exile's crystal
 * Jenruax
 * Kaiburr
 * Kasha
 * Kathracite
 * Kenobi's Legacy
 * Krayt Dragon Pearl
 * Lambent
 * Lava crystal
 * Lorrdian gemstone
 * Luxum
 * Mantle of the Force
 * Mephite
 * Nextor
 * Opila
 * Phond
 * Pontite
 * Qixoni
 * Relacite
 * Rainbow gem
 * Rubat
 * Ruusan
 * Sapith
 * Sigil
 * Solari
 * Stygium
 * Sunrider's Destiny
 * Synthetic Lightsaber Crystal
 * Upari
 * Ultima-Pearl
 * Velmorite
 * Viridian crystal

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. The following is a list of common blade colors.


 * Amber
 * Aqua
 * Bane's Heart (pink)
 * Barab Ore Ingot (Clear)
 * Blue
 * B'nar's Sacrifice (Bronze)
 * Bronze
 * Brown
 * Clear
 * Crimson (such as Adi Gallia's in 32 BBY lightsaber)
 * Cyan
 * Dark Blue (such as Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber)
 * Dark Green
 * Dark Violet
 * Dark Red
 * Dark Yellow
 * Darth Andeddu's Crystal (Red)
 * Durindfire (silver)
 * Gray
 * Green
 * Emerald (such as in Jacen Solo's lightsaber before his ascension to Sith Lord)
 * Heart of the Guardian (Bronze with yellow core)
 * Icy blue
 * Indigo
 * Kenobi's Legacy (Dark blue)
 * Krayt Dragon Pearl (Pearly white color)
 * Jade Blue
 * Jade Green
 * Lambent (Reddish-purple)
 * Lava (yellowish-orange, blade emitted resembles a fiery blade)
 * Light Violet
 * Light Yellow
 * Lime (Light Green)
 * Magenta
 * Mantle of the Force (Cyan with a silvery glow)
 * Orange
 * Gold
 * Pink
 * Qixoni (Blood-red color)
 * Violet (such as in Mace Windu, Anakin and Jaina Solo's lightsabers)
 * Rainbow (Shifts through the color spectrum)
 * Red (generic Sith/Dark Jedi lightsaber)
 * Silver
 * Silver-Blue
 * Sunrider's Destiny (Teal)
 * Viridian
 * White
 * Windu's Guile (Violet)
 * Yellow
 * Yellowish-Green

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 Galaxies
 * Star Wars: Empire at War
 * Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
 * Shadows of the Empire novel
 * Young Jedi Knights: Lightsabers