Name: Carborundum
Synonyms: Silicon Carbide
Formula: SiC
Crystal System:
Color: dark blue-black color with rainbow sheen
Density: 3.21 g·cm−3
Hardness (Mohs): 9.5
Habit: thin, spiky crystals
Carborundum is an excellent decorative piece, its highly reflecting surface ranging from hues of pink, blue, gold, purple and green. Formed as a by-product of the glass-making industry, carborundum develops thin, directional crystals. Carborundum does not occur naturally, it is man made from a combination of silica sand and carbon. Large single crystals of silicon carbide can be grown by the Lely method. Carborundum has an extreme hardness, it will easily scratch glass and every common mineral except diamond.
Carborundum occurs naturally in meteorites, where it is called moissanite (extremely rare). Silicon carbide (SiC), also known as carborundum /kɑrbəˈrʌndəm/ is often used to produce the low-cost diamond moissanite.
Colloidal Carborundum is known as a Master Healer
Key Attributes
¨ Absorbs chaotic thoughts
¨ Helps with depression, relieves stress
¨ Enhancement of memory
¨ Vitality booster
- All the rainbow colors are associated with the primary 7 chakras
History
This is one of the most interesting stones I’ve come across. It was invented in 1891 by Edward Goodrich Acheson (1856–1931) while trying to figure out how to create diamonds using electricity.
It all began with a failed experiment. It was in 1890. In a small Pennsylvania town, the inventor Edward Goodrich Acheson carried out a series of experiments. He tried to heat carbon so intensely that it would result in diamond.
It didn't work.
So Acheson began mixing clay with carbon and electrically fusing it. The result was a product with shiny specks that were hard enough to scratch glass. This was silicon carbide. Also known as carborundum. The next year Acheson formed his company in Monongehela, PA and named it Carborundum, and moved the organization to Niagara Falls, NY, USA in 1895. That was only just the beginning. Abrasive innovation has been a way of life for the Carborundum. Since then—in city and country, war and peace—Carborundum has been a manufacturer of high quality forming and finishing products.
Usually this crystal is powdered and is used primarily as an abrasive. At times during the creation process, it can form into a delicate crystal with masses of black elongated spiked crystals, it has a beautiful iridescent rainbow coloring.
Don’t let it’s origins fool you—this is a very potent crystal that is considered to be a master healer working with all the chakras. It will shine light in all areas of your life, connecting all the chakras while purifying the mind, body, and spirit (as much as humanly possible!) Since it does have origins in silicon (silicon carbide) it is not surprising that it helps alleviate any computer related injuries, eye strain, and headaches. It also encourages the development of your intuition.
Some have found that these properties are rare which could be a direct result of their man-made origins. As having not spent a lot of time in the earth, the metaphysical properties may not always be fully grounded into the stone.
Metaphysical properties
Carborundum can help absorb chaotic thoughts. The rainbow colors of the stones are associated with all 7 Chakras. It helps "Shines a Light" into all areas of our lives, thus helping lift depression and melancholia.
It is good to help relieve stress and its associated physical disorders. It can also help enhance the memory and increase artistic and diplomatic skills.
