Lightsaber crystal

A lightsaber crystal was a term used to describe any variety of crystals, gems and stones used 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, affects 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 were happy to use commercially available crystals, Palpatine made Darth Maul use a special furnace to make his own crystals. It took days for him to make the four crystals needed for his double-bladed lightsaber without sleep. Creating them required intense concentration as he had to use the Force to make them the proper shape and free of 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 is significant that Luke Skywalker also used a special furnace he found in Obi-Wan Kenobi's home to prepare his crystal. In both Luke and Maul's cases, the creator channeled their force energies into the crystal being formed, making it unique in every way, including the color. Maul's dark energy created blood-red crystals that are characteristic of the Sith, while Luke's light energy created the bright green color. Jaina Solo also chemically created her lightsaber crystal.

Known lightsaber crystals
There were a number of different stones, minerals, and crystals that could 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
 * Corusca Gem
 * Damind
 * Dragite
 * Durindfire
 * Eralam
 * Exile's Crystal
 * Firkrann
 * Heart of the Guardian
 * Hurrikaine
 * Ilum
 * Jenraux
 * Kaiburr
 * Kasha
 * Kathracite
 * Kenobi's Legacy
 * Krayt Dragon Pearl
 * Lambent
 * Lava crystal
 * Lorrdian gemstone
 * Luxum
 * Mantle of the Force
 * Mephite
 * Nextor
 * Opila
 * Personal Crystal
 * Phond
 * Pontite
 * Qixoni
 * Relacite
 * Rainbow gem
 * Rubat
 * Ruusan
 * Sapith
 * Sigil
 * Solari
 * Stygium
 * Sunrider's Destiny
 * Synth-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 all known blade colors.


 * Blue
 * Bronze
 * Brown
 * Clear
 * Crimson
 * Cyan
 * Dark Blue
 * Dark Green
 * Dark Red
 * Dark Yellow
 * Gold
 * Green
 * Heart of the Guardian (Bronze with yellow core)
 * Light Green
 * Light Violet
 * Light Yellow
 * Lime (Light Green)
 * Mantle of the Force (Cyan with a silvery glow)
 * Orange
 * Pink
 * Purple (Dark Violet)
 * Rainbow (Shifts thorough the color spectrum, like Tenel Ka's lightsaber)
 * Red
 * Silver
 * Teal
 * Violet
 * Viridian
 * White
 * Yellow

Around 4,000 BBY, lightsaber crystals were used to indicate a Jedi's chosen class. Blue indicated a Jedi Guardian, a knight who fought the Sith on a physical level. Green indicated a Jedi Consular, usually chosen by those who preferred to ponder the mysteries of the Force and fight the Dark Side at its heart. Yellow indicated a Jedi Sentinel, knights who honed their skills in a balance of combat and scholarly pursuits.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * "Chapter 14"
 * "Chapter 15"
 * "Chapter 16"
 * Shadows of the Empire