Have you ever heard of a crystal that resembles a tiny box of six equal sides? That is what’s known as a cube-shaped crystal! These utterly unique gems occur naturally and are sometimes synthesized in a lab by scientists. Cube-shaped crystals are so distinctive – even among crystals.
Now, if you examine closely a cube-shaped crystal, you will see that all its faces are perfect squares. The corners are so neat because they are the same shape, which is also the shape of the tiling itself. And it’s precisely this perfect form that makes cube-shaped crystals so nice. These crystals are studied by scientists who want to know why they form and why they grow in such a perfect way.
Cubic crystals have always been associated with magic and magic. People once believed these crystals possessed powers to keep away bad spirits or bring good luck. Even today, there are those who think cube-shaped crystals can heal them or focus their energy. Even if scientists don’t buy these ideas, the interest of people in cube-shaped crystals persists.
Would you believe that there are cube shaped crystals both in the rocks and minerals and living things? These crystals are made as small particles nestle together in a special way to make the cube shape. Cube-shaped crystals can be found in salt, pyrite and fluorite. In science, cube-shaped crystals are employed to study the way light or sound traverse different substances. By understanding those properties, scientists can develop new technologies.
One of the fantastic things about cubic crystals is the way they interact with light. Light that falls on a crystal that is shaped like a cube will either bounce back off its surface, bend away from its trajectory, or even fragment into different colors in the manner of a rainbow. It is that way due to the shape and structure of the crystal. By understanding how light passes through these crystals, scientists can develop new materials for lenses and prisms. Look for a cube-shaped crystal the next time you have a chance to admire the mineral specimens at your local museum, and appreciate a little of the science involved in its shining.