Quartz Crystal

In chemistry, mineralogy and materials science, a crystal is a solid in which the constituent atoms, molecules or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. The word crystal is derived from the ancient Greek word krustallos, which had the same meaning, but according to the ancient understanding of crystal. At root, it means anything congealed by freezing, such as ice. The word once referred particularly to quartz, or “rock crystal”.

 Most metals encountered in everyday life are polycrystals. Crystals are often symmetrically grown to form crystal twins. There are numerous applications of crystals, including jewelry and home décor figures. In my home I keep a collection of exquisite quartz crystal points on the mantel.

There’s nothing quite as hectic and exciting as working in the world of theater. The preparation that goes into any given play is tremendous, both on the individual and group level. Before the curtain ever rises on opening night, there has already been days upon days of work, preparation, and dedication that have gone into the production. Especially if you work behind the scenes on costume, set, or prop design, you don’t have to worry so much about onstage jitters, but you do have that opening night anxiety as you see the fruits of your labor displayed and used onstage.

If you’re looking to put together a play at your local community center, high school, or even your own backyard, you have an amazing selection of tried and true favorites to choose from. One of the most celebrated and often performed plays is Shakespeare’s Hamlet. And if you decide to tackle this challenging and moving play, remember that props and sets can make all the difference. For Hamlet specifically, the most important prop is the skull used in the famous graveyard scene. Every audience member will be waiting for that skull, so make sure you have something special on hand. In my high school production, we invested in a set crystal skulls to help make the climatic scene more dramatic.

We tend to think of salt in the context of a flavor additive rather than a lighting source. Most people grow up adding salt to their meat and potatoes, thinking about the substance only when they notice their food needs to be punched up a bit. But the potential of salt extends far beyond the shakers placed on an average American dinner table. In parts of central Europe and especially the Himalayas, salt crystals are mined, hollowed out and turned into lamps.

Himalayan salt crystal lamps are distinctive for two reasons. The first is a matter of aesthetics. Many of the lamps come in handsome hues of orange or pink, which is pleasing to the eye and creates a desirable ambiance in any room. In addition, these lamps are known to give off negative ions into the surrounding air, achieving a similar respiratory effect to that of mountain or ocean air.