Why Do Some Crystals Have Cracks, Fractures, or Dents?
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This is one of the most common questions we receive at Cold Lava Studio:
“Why does this crystal have cracks?”
“Is this stone damaged?”
“Is it defective or low quality?”
Crystals Are Natural Stones — Not Factory-Made Products
Crystals are naturally formed minerals, created deep within the Earth over thousands to millions of years.
They are shaped by:
- Extreme pressure
- Very high temperatures
- Natural geological movement
Unlike glass, plastic, or synthetic beads, crystals are not manufactured to look identical or flawless.
Expecting a crystal to be perfectly smooth is like expecting a river stone to look machine-cut — that’s not how nature works.
Different Crystals Form in Different Ways
Not all crystals belong to the same category. Some are:
- Mineral-based
- Microcrystalline
- Fossil-based
- Volcanic in origin
Each formation process leaves its own natural marks.
The Quartz Family: A Common Example
Crystals such as:
- Clear Quartz
- Rose Quartz
- Amethyst
- Smoky Quartz
- Citrine
belong to the Quartz family, which is silica-based and often microcrystalline.
These crystals form deep inside the Earth’s crust under extreme heat. During this intense process, internal fractures and inclusions naturally develop.
These are known as natural inclusions — and they are completely normal.
Why Do Cracks Appear More After Polishing?
Crystals are mined in their raw, uneven form. Later, they are:
- Cut
- Shaped
- Polished
- Turned into beads or bracelets
During polishing:
- Surface-level roughness may smooth out
- Deeper natural fractures remain visible
So if you notice:
- Fine cracks
- Surface lines
- Slight dents
it usually means the crystal has not been over-processed.
Highly Processed Stones vs Natural Healing Crystals
In the commercial gemstone industry (especially diamonds and emeralds), stones are often:
- Heat-treated
- Chemically filled
- Artificially enhanced
This makes them:
- Visually “perfect”
- Very expensive
- Energetically altered
At Cold Lava Studio, we intentionally avoid heavily processed stones.
Why?
Because our crystals are meant for:
- Healing
- Energy work
- Grounding
- Personal use
Natural marks are part of the crystal’s original structure and journey.
Common Crystals That Naturally Show Marks
Lava Stone
Lava stones naturally have:
- Holes
- Pits
- Porous textures
They form from cooled volcanic lava with trapped air bubbles.
These holes are a defining feature, not a defect.
Black Tourmaline
Black Tourmaline often shows:
- Surface cracks
- Vertical striations
- Uneven textures
It grows in column-like structures, which naturally crack as they cool and settle.
Jasper (Including Imperial Jasper)
Many jasper varieties are:
- Fossil-based
- Softer stones
Imperial Jasper, in particular:
- Does not polish evenly
- May show dents or uneven surfaces
This does not reduce its quality or effectiveness.
Fossil-Based Stones
Fossil stones form from ancient organic matter over millions of years.
They naturally carry:
- Lines
- Texture differences
- Color variations
Perfect symmetry is rare — and unnatural.
Shade Variations Are Also Natural
If your crystal:
- Is lighter on one side
- Has darker patches
- Shows color zoning
That’s nature at work.
Uniform color often indicates:
- Heavy treatment
- Dyeing
- Synthetic enhancement
So, Is a Cracked Crystal “Bad”?
Absolutely not.
In fact:
- Cracks indicate authenticity
- Inclusions suggest minimal processing
-
Uneven textures confirm natural origin
A crystal with zero marks and perfect symmetry is often too perfect to be natural.
Conclusion :-
When you choose crystals for healing, grounding, or personal use, remember:
Nature is organic, not flawless.
Crystals carry their geological journey on their surface — and that journey is what makes them real.
At Cold Lava Studio, we consciously work with natural, minimally processed crystals, even if that means:
- Visible cracks
- Surface dents
- Shade variations
Because real stones are not meant to look factory-made —
they are meant to stay real.