How Crystal Colors Form

Colors emerge from elemental interactions:

• Purple: Radiation alters Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺ in quartz
• Green: Cr³⁺ ions in beryl absorb red/yellow light
  Stability is key—only 1/100,000 crystals achieve uniform hue.

• Rose Quartz: Mn³⁺ oxidation at 450°C
• Green Phantom: Chlorite inclusions in silica gel
  [Imaging: Cross-polarized light microscopy]