Aura Quartz is the name given to forms of Quartz crystals that have undergone various treatment processes whereby semi-precious metals, precious metals, and trace metals have bonded to the surface of the Quartz to produce a wide range of enhanced, beautifully colored crystals.
Aura Quartz can be produced by various methods which involve Quartz crystals being heated to varying temperatures and then being bombarded with variable concentrations of vaporized precious metals. The processes result in an array of beautifully colored crystals, whose colors range across the spectrum, many with iridescent rainbow ‘flashes’.
The colors of Aura Quartz are governed by which precious metals are used and their concentration. The process whereby the Quartz is heated to extremely high-temperature results in the Quartz reaching its melting point, so that when the vaporized metals are added the metals combine with the Quartz resulting in a permanent bonding. This Aura Quartz often has clear vibrant base colors with either vivid metallic hues or beautiful rainbow ‘flashes’.
Another process involves the Quartz being heated, but not to such a high temperature so that the addition of the vaporized metals results in the metals permanently coating the surface of the Quartz. This process also produces beautifully enhanced colored crystals although the results are often less dramatic than the more expensive, higher temperature process.
There is much secrecy surrounding which semi-precious metals, precious metals, and trace metals are used, so only some of those used to produce a particular type of Aura Quartz are known, whilst the other metals likely used can be speculated depending on the colors of the resulting crystals. The whole process costs a lot of money, as do the precious metals in raw form, therefore most Aura Quartz is expensive to purchase.
The higher grades and higher clarity/color Aura Quartz are produced in the USA whereas those of a lesser grade/clarity are being produced in China. The country from whence the aura has been produced is reflected in the price, the USA is more expensive than China.
A majority of Aura Quartz has been produced using Clear Quartz however Spirit Quartz, Amethyst and Rose Quartz have also been used, as has Danburite although this is not a Quartz.
Below is a list of the various types of Aura Quartz that are currently available along with their colors and with reference to the metals that have been reported to have been used in their manufacture. This list may not be exhaustive as new types are being created:
- Angel Aura aka Opal Aura. Silvery/white base color with iridescent rainbow-colored “flashes”. Produced using platinum and silver.
- Golden Apple Aura Quartz Pale yellow/green base color with iridescent rainbow-colored “flashes”. Produced using Nickel and possibly gold.
Aqua Aura Vivid aqua-blue base color with iridescent rainbow-colored “flashes” produced using pure gold. - Amethyst Aura. Purple base color from the Amethyst used with iridescent rainbow “flashes”. Possibly produced using a combination of Titanium, Silver, and trace metals.
- Amethyst Quartz Aura. Purple/purple grey base color with iridescent rainbow “flashes”. Possible produced using a combination of Titanium, Silver, and trace metals.
- Champagne Aura. Pale gold/orange base color with iridescent “flashes”. Produced using Gold and trace metals.
- Cobalt Aura aka Flame Aura and Titanium Aura. Vivid metallic-deep blue base color with iridescent” flashes” produced using Titanium and trace metals.
- Imperial Gold Aura aka Tangerine Aura. Golden-orange base color with iridescent “flashes”. Produced using Iron, Titanium, and trace metals.
- Moss Aura aka Pistachio Aura. Moss Green to green/yellow base with iridescent rainbow “flashes”. Possibly produced using a combination of nickel, gold, or platinum
- Paraiba Blue Aura Quartz Vivid electric ‘neon-blue’ base color with iridescent colored rainbow “flashes”. Possibly produced using gold.
- Rose Aura. Vivid Rose Pink to Magenta base color. Produced using Platinum and possibly other metals.
- Rose Quartz Aura. Pale pink base color from the Rose Quartz used with iridescent rainbow “flashes”. Possibly produced using Platinum and other trace metals.
- Rose Quartz. Orange Aura Orange/gold base color over Rose Quartz. Possibly produced using Gold and trace metals.
- Ruby Aura. Vivid deep ruby-red base color with iridescent rainbow-colored “flashes”. Produced using gold, platinum, and trace metals.
- Smokey Gold Aura. Metallic smokey gold coloration. Produced using gold, indium, and trace metals.
- Sunset Aura. Vivid metallic orange/yellow/magenta base color with iridescent rainbow-colored “flashes”. Produced using Titanium and possibly Silver and Silicon.
- Sunshine Aura. Pale yellow base color with iridescent rainbow colored “flashes”. Produced using gold and Platinum.
- Tanzan Aura aka Tanzine Aura and Celestial Aura. Vivid violet-blue base color with iridescent “flashes”. Produced using indium, niobium, gold, and other trace metals.
- Titanium Aura aka Rainbow Aura. Vivid metallic-blue base color with iridescent rainbow-colored “flashes” produced using Titanium and trace metals.
- Yellow Aura. Pale yellow base color with iridescent “flashes”. Possibly produced using a combination of Gold, Platinum, and Iron.
