Blog

This month’s featured crystal is a type of formation, rather than a species – Phantom Quartz crystals. Read on to find out what they are, and what they do!

Table Of Contents

• WHAT IS PHANTOM QUARTZ
• COLLECTING
• CRYSTAL HEALING
• AVAILABLE IN SHOP

What Is Phantom Quartz?

A Phantom crystal is a type of Quartz formation. You can identify them by the visible faint outline of a smaller crystal point inside the crystal. It may be partial or complete, and often appears wispy and ghost-like.

What Makes A Phantom Crystal?

A classic phantom is the result of impurities settling over the Quartz during a growth phase. At some time during the formation of the crystal, it’s growth slowed or stopped. And during this pause, another mineral (often chlorite, kaolinite, goethite or hematite) settled on top of the crystal. It began to grow again, enveloping the mineral layer.

Another type of phantom is the result of a different colours or level of opacity during an earlier growth phase, which contrasts against the continued growth and creates the characteristic floating crystal within the crystal. This isn’t a ‘true’ phantom Quartz by the strictest definition, it is more correctly termed ‘colour zoning’. However these formations are also often called phantoms.

Collecting

When it comes to collecting phantom Quartz crystals, look for specimens with really clear and fairly complete internal phantom structures. You can collect different colours based on the different mineral inclusions, for example Hematite can be red, orange, brown, yellow or black. Chlorite, a rarer occurance, usually creates a beautiful green hue. Kaolinite can be white, cream or even pink.

The difficulty in collecting them is that you have to keep an eye out for good specimens, and shops don’t always include “phantom” in the label (we’re guilty of this ourselves). That means you have to look through a LOT of Quartz to find what you’re looking for, and keep that up to build your collection!

They aren’t considered very rare, so value will lie in the specimen having outstanding features – like depth of colour, clarity of the primary crystal, how perfect the specimen is overall etc. Some collectors favour specimens that haven’t been polished, and consider a polished specimen to be worth a bit less – but that is a very subjective topic. Over time, your collection will grow in value if you stick to these guidelines.

Collectable locations

• Brazil is famous for “garden Quartz” (included Quartz) and a stunning array of phantoms. The state/province of Minas Gerais is of special note.
• Madagascar for clear, Smoky & Amethyst phantoms
• Himalayas for different colours
• Switzerland Alps region produces beautiful black phantoms
• Here in South Africa, the Orange River region produces lovely red phantoms, while in Limpopo, the Messina Mine produced some gorgeous and SUPER rare Ajoite specimens (now closed).

Metaphysical Properties of Phantom Crystals

Metaphysically, Phantom Quartz crystals have all the properties of their primary crystal, and where relevant, the mineral forming the phantom.

In addition, these special crystals are believed to symbolize universal awareness. They can stimulate healing for the planet and help activate healing abilities in people.

Phantoms can access the Akashic record, and assist you in connecting to your spiritual guides.

They are believed to be especially attuned to healing hearing disorders, both physically and with opening up clairaudience. 

Phantom Quartz For Sale