Lore:Crystals
Aeonstone[edit]
Aeonstone is a green stone that can be found throughout mines in southern Elsweyr. Though it has no intrinsic power, aeonstone has the unique capability to store and amplify magical energy. In this state, the aeonstone becomes empowered and glows with a bright green hue. This unique property was discovered by the New Moon Cult, who would engage in ritualistic sacrifice to empower themselves and their masters. Many cultists used aeonstone in their armor. These stones would then allow cultists to greatly empower their own sorcery with this magic, even allowing necromancers to resurrect and enslave Dragons. Absorbing stored energy from aeonstone can be extremely dangerous for mortals, and improper usage can wreak havoc on the mage's body.
Aetherquartz[edit]
Aetherquartz is a "milky" crystal that is similar to quartz in appearance. It is used predominantly by the Altmer, including in their jewelry, sacred objects, and calians. Dwemer used aetherquartz tonal resonators in construction of their vamidiums.
Agate[edit]
Agate is a blue gemstone known to be used to make marbles for the Dark Elf children's game, "Keepers". It is also used for decoration purposes.
Almandine[edit]
Almandine is a red type of garnet often used for enchanting armor and weapons.
Amber[edit]
Amber is a colorful resin formed from hardened sap. It may be used in alchemy to produce a resist fire effect. The material is of limited use to the people of Tamriel, but in the Shivering Isles, amber smithing is an ancient art. The master smith of Bliss has the ability to make amber weapons and armor. Before the master dies, he will hide matrices throughout the realm and train an apprentice to continue the tradition.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Amethyst[edit]
Amethyst is a type of purple crystal. It is commonly used for decoration and aesthetic purposes, with them often being made into jewelry and are a common adornment in tombs and temples. Amethysts are found in geodes, and these geodes are always found in proximity to volcanic rock.
Aquamarine[edit]
Aquamarine is a rare, blue gemstone.
Arentine[edit]
Aretine is a dense, heavy gem that has a unique property of absorbing all light around it. It is often used in high-end weapons and armor tempering.
Atronite[edit]
Atronite is a mysterious stone from Oblivion, with it often being left behind on Nirn when an Atronach is defeated or dispelled. It is used in the tempering of high-end weapons and armor. Atronite is a rare and valuable gemstone, popular and valued by the nobility as a sign of strength and power. It emits an eerie sheen.
Aurbic Amber[edit]
Aurbic Amber are green gemstones that are often used to enhance enchantments on Jewelry.
Azurite[edit]
Azurite is a rare, blue mineral found within the northern hills of Bangkorai. It has connections with Azura; the Spirit Wardens are known to carve decorative items from it and use it to cleanse her shrines.
Bloodstone[edit]
Bloodstones are red gemstones that are often used to enhance enchantments on armor. These gems are also used by vampire hunters as a lure, when placed in water, the gem converts the water into blood, which can compel a fierce hunger even in the most sated vampire.
Carnelian[edit]
Carnelian is a purple gemstone often used to enhance enchantments on armor. The Dwemer used carnelian for certain theodolites — automated measuring devices designed to explore and survey subterranean areas.
Citrine[edit]
Citrine is a yellow variety of quartz that is often used to enhance weapons.
Chalcedony[edit]
Chalcedony is a translucent form of quartz with a waxy luster, which can be found in a variety of colors from pale blue to deep brown. The unpolished stone has several uses in alchemy.
Chrysoberyl[edit]
Chalcedony is a form of beryl used by Khajiit crafters.
Chysolite[edit]
Dawn-Prism[edit]
Diamond[edit]
Diamond is a kind of rare, transparent, and hard crystal that is extremely valuable. Their value is determined by their clarity and brilliance, unlike other gems. The difficulty in cutting a sample also plays a factor in its overall value. Not only is a diamond valuable, but it is very versatile and can be applied in crafting. For example, diamonds in the armor-making process reinforce the final product by improving its durability and resistance to critical attacks. Diamond can be an ingredient in alchemy and are commonly sold by fine alchemists. Crushed diamonds mixed with Bittergreen petals can make a potion of invisibility, an effect that is widely prized. Invisibility is one of several different effects that diamonds can produce, such as spell resistance, reflect, and detect key.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Dragonfire Crystal[edit]
Dragonfire crystals are black crystals whose dust is an ingredient for the illusion dazzlers used in the Jester's Festival.
Ebony[edit]
Ebony, a rare volcanic glass, is one of the most precious substances in Tamriel, mainly found in Vvardenfell, buried in the lava flows from Red Mountain. Veins can also be found in Solstheim, and occasionally on mainland Skyrim, Cyrodiil and High Rock. Raw ebony itself is an extremely hard, durable, black glass-like substance. It is also known as Godsblood, as it is said to be the crystallized blood of a god or gods, Lorkhan in particular. The acquisition and use of ebony can lead mortals to transcend their limitations.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Emerald[edit]
Emerald is a kind of green crystal. It is extremely rare and valuable. It also possesses modest, innate magical properties.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Epidote[edit]
Epidote is a lustrous yellow-green crystalline mineral.
Faerite[edit]
Faerite is a mysterious stone that is noted to appear in locations where great feats of magic once occurred, considering its name, it is likely connected to the Faerie. It is often used for advanced tempering.
Firebreath Opal[edit]
Firebreath Opals look burning white-hot but are actually cool to the touch. They are used in the advanced tempering of weapons and armor.
Fire Opal[edit]
Fire Opals are commonly used for enhancing weapon enchantments.
During the invasion of the Battlespire, a Flame Atronach was known to have given the apprentice a 'Helm of the Fire Opal', which would diminish the effects of Frost Atronachs.
Flint[edit]
Flint is a type of quartz often mined and used by Argonians.
Argonian smiths use a technique called "slug shaping" which uses a specific type of slug called the Jassa Red, which when threatened, squirts out an acidic mucous that can be used for smithing. Argonians place the slugs onto the wood or stone and repeatedly flash a piece of flint directly behind them. Adjusting the position of the flint pushes the slugs in different directions. As the slugs move across the wood or stone, they leave behind a thin layer of acidic slime, creating long, smooth channels in the material.
Flint can also be used to start fires.
Garnet[edit]
Garnet is dark gemstone that is often combined with silver to make jewelry.[1][2][3] Garnet jewelry is quite common among the nobles of Tamriel and is said to be cheaper than jewelry made other stones.[4] Garnets are also used to craft armor,[5] temper materials,[6] and create mechanical automata.[7]
Glass[edit]
Common glass (not to be confused with malachite, often called "glass") is a transparent material often used in kitchenware, alchemy containers, and in construction. When stained, glass workers may use it to create beautiful glass mosaics, often used in temples. Vampires of the Reach are known to have constructed red stained glass windows that could counteract the dangers of sunlight. Dwarfglass was a kind of glass used by the Dwemer to construct stalwart windows, which can withstand the pressure of the deepest seas.
Jade[edit]
Jade is a kind of green crystal often used for making jewelry and enhancing enchantments on armor. Jades and jade dust can be used in alchemy.
The legendary Necromancer's Amulet's skull is made of jade.
Jade is used for a variety of purposes by the Bosmer such as corkscrew handles and statuettes shaped as the Green Lady. Jade inkwells are used to contain the green iridescent ink used for writing official decrees from the Silvenar.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Jasper[edit]
Jasper is the ore from which chalcedony is derived. It is a smooth opaque mineral and brown, red, or green iron deposits are often found within jasper. The unpolished stone has several uses in alchemy.
Argonians are known to use polished blue jaspers in their jewelry. Bog-blue jaspers are a similar kind of jasper, said in Kothringi folklore to come from the gizzards of geels-ha butcher eels.
Lapis Lazuli[edit]
Lapis Lazuli (or just called Lapis) is a blue gemstone that can be commonly found in the Summerset Isles. One of the most profitable mining prospects in Auridon is the lapis lazuli mine outside of Vulkhel Guard called Del's Claim. An old man named Del found the large deposit and staggered back into town to tell everyone, but no one believed him. But once people discovered it themselves, it became a very lucrative operation. The Psijic Order are known to use studded lapis lazuli in addendum with turquoise in their belts. They also wear a scrying eye medallion with a large piece of glowing lapis as the eyeball.
Larimar[edit]
Larimar, also referred to as sea-stone by merchants in Daggerfall, is a valuable milky-blue gemstone. This precious stone is exclusive to the Systres archipelago, making it extremely rare and expensive. The stone's hue is reminiscent of turquoise, albeit brighter and creamier. Some have compared its color to that of the Topal Sea.
During the Reman Empire's reign, larimar mining became a prominent industry in the Systres Archipelago due to the stone's rarity and high value, thanks to its exclusivity to the region. In 2E 11, the newly empowered Potentate Versidue-Shaie established a penal colony on Amenos, one of the islands of the archipelago, where political prisoners were forced to work in the larimar and ammonite mines.
It was also used by the Druids to create artictacts, such as the Oakensoul Ring. Ring's larimar gems were engraved with druidic runes and symbolized the Eldertide Circle.
Larimar had a broader range of applications. It was also utilized to create tokens for the widely popular game Tales of Tribute, as well as to create prosthetic eyes.
Lazurite[edit]
Lazurite is a sparkling blue ore, usually found close to sulphur deposits, usually embedded within limestone. The unpolished stone has several uses in alchemy, and crushed lazurite is used by artists in their paintings. When used in alchemy it has been proven to:
- Fortify vitality and constitution.
- Bolster armor and the damage inflicted while combat rages.
- Conjure a mystical bolt to penetrate the enemy, and a magical immunity about the user's being.
- Augments abilities to move with the shadows, and senses to spot those silently creeping.
Lucent[edit]
Lucents are crystals of Daedric origins with the ability to contain and release energy. They are incorrectly likened to Soul Gems by some scholars due to mostly superficial similarities between them. Unlike soul gems, lucents can be reused numerous times, provided they are recharged. When shattered they create destructive explosions. Also unlike soul gems, they are powered by the background energy that pulses through all the realms of Oblivion. Although they can be commonly found in the mortal dwellings within the realms of Oblivion they are rarely used by non-Daedra.
Malachite[edit]
Malachite, commonly known as glass (and not to be confused with common glass), is a rare, volcanic, milky translucent green crystal that absorbs magicka under the right conditions. It is most often used in creating strong, yet lightweight metallic armor and weapons. The material is similar to ebony, but is less durable and more lightweight. It bears no relation to the common, brittle glass used in windows and ornaments, as it is far stronger and has a much higher melting point. It is most commonly found in Morrowind on the volcanic island of Vvardenfell, but ore veins can also be found all across Tamriel.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Obsidian[edit]
Obsidian is black, volcanic glass created when lava cools rapidly. It is used most commonly by the Dunmer, often incorporating it in their crafting style. Drenlyns are specialized nix-ox trainers that use obsidian drills to bore into the creatures' back and expose a series of nerves they call the "drive center." The giant arches that mark the Shrine of Saint Veloth are made from obsidian. Obsidian is a common material used by the Bosmer to make their spears and axes. The Obsidian Husk is an artifact of mysterious origin that is also associated with the Webspinner, Mephala. It has been passed down through the Cult of the Spider for generations.
Onyx[edit]
Onyx is a black gemstone that is mainly used for jewelry and decoration. Onyx is known to be found in Cyrodiil and in vast reserves at the peak of Hattu Mountain in Yokuda.
Onyx is sometimes carried by priests of Sithis for various meditation practices. It is also used for the Orcish version of chess which contains 32 pawns, 16 being onyx and 16 being moonstone.
Opal[edit]
Opal is a gemstone usually only found in Elsweyr and in Yokuda, it is often carved into objects such as snuff boxes and totems. Opal spheres are sometimes used in Magrus worship.
The Yokudans were known to use opals to create elaborate opal headdresses.
Pearl[edit]
Pearls are smooth, round, and lustrous beads that are produced by mollusks. These are highly valued gemstones, either for their aesthetics or their magical properties. Their scarcity makes them a valuable commodity. Because they are a product of a living organism, pearls are unique in the realm of enchantment. The Elves in particular have an immense fascination with pearls, not only for their healing properties but their augmentative powers, as illustrated in Fandamorien's "Treatise on Vigor". Pearls are symbolically associated with the hard shell of clams, which Verita Numida of the Antiquarian Circle believed represented a defensive magical element.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Peridot[edit]
Peridot is a green gemstone.
Porphyry[edit]
Porphyry is a deep red or purple stone with feldspar crystals, found in igneous rock. The unpolished stone has several uses in alchemy.
Purgeblood Salts[edit]
Purgeblood Salts are a rare ingredient that can be mined from Purgeblood Crystal Formations that are found exclusively in Deepscorn Hollow. It has several alchemical properties, most notably the ability to restore and fortify magicka.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Pyrine[edit]
Pyrine is a gold-colored gem of great power with relatively unknown origins. It is used for the tempering of armor and weapons.
Quartz[edit]
Quartz is prized by the Khajiit, who carved trinkets such as ritual idols from the crystal. Those who worship Trinimac use quartz crystals in art and armor to represent the clarity of his vision. Rose quartz is a variety of quartz that has a pink hue.
Ruby[edit]
Ruby is a kind of red crystal. High-ranking members of the Gray Host are known to wear earrings featuring rubies soaked in vampire ichor.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Salt[edit]
Sapphire[edit]
Sapphire is a kind of blue crystal often incorporated into various jewelry, such as amulets, rings, circlets, and necklaces. They are also used for tempering armor and in alchemy with them commonly having the trait of spell reflection. Star sapphire is known to have been used in equipment redolent of the Celestials.
Sapphires are sometimes found alongside other ores. On Solstheim, they also appear as geodes. The hills of Yokuda are said to have been filled with "nests" of sapphires, among other gems. The ancient Yokudans adorned themselves with anklets, necklaces, and bangles of sapphire and decorated their ancestral blades with the gem, prizing it for its color and luster.
In the Iliac Bay, temples are often an intermediary point for the smuggling of sapphires and other precious stones. Typically, the smuggler attaches the gem to a religious talisman and tasks a courier with delivering the talisman to a temple under guise of a returning an item on loan. At the temple, the gem is removed from the talisman and then discreetly taken to its true destination.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Sardonyx[edit]
Scythe Crystal[edit]
Slaughterstone[edit]
Soul Gems[edit]
Soul Gems are morpholiths used in the process of binding souls using magic. These gems are used to enchant and charge magical items, animate undead or artificial constructs, or cast powerful destructive spells. For this purpose, creatures' souls are usually trapped at the moment of death. Soul gems can be mined from geode veins, one of the locations to contain geode veins is Blackreach. The origin of Soul Gems can be traced back to Harvester of Souls himself, Molag Bal, who used a portion of his power in their creation. Black Soul Gems can be found within the depths of Coldharbour, where Bal fine-tunes them to increase their efficiency.
Stalhrim[edit]
Stalhrim is a rare form of enchanted ice found only on the island on Solstheim. Throughout history it has served various uses. Originally it was used in the burial rituals of ancient Nords. The deceased would be encased in the material as a form of protection, a privilege that was typically reserved for Nordic individuals. It has also served as a crafting material and, with the proper tools and techniques, can be used to create weapons, armor, clothing, and even jewelry.
Stalhrim armor (sometimes called ice armor) can be light, medium, or heavy in weight. It is very protective, and is often made with steel or quicksilver. Due to its innate properties, frost enchantments placed on items made of stalhrim are more potent. In its raw form, it can be used as an alchemical ingredient that induces paralysis and inflicts frost damage.
Stalhrim is often described as being hard as iron and impossible to break by conventional means. The only known way to mine it is with an ancient Nordic pickaxe, made from superior craftsmanship. It has been described as a rigid, blue-white crystalline metal, faceted yet smooth, and unnaturally cold to touch. Working with stalhrim is much like ebony smithing, and can only be performed by a skilled blacksmith.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Star Teeth[edit]
Star Teeth is a term usually used to refer to a group of seven magical prismatic crystals taken from the skies by airships during the Merethic Era. The term is also used to refer to the material they are made from, which even in small shards is considered valuable. It has been used in things such as armor. The denizens of western Craglorn use star teeth decoratively to create extremely valuable studded clothing such as belts.
Sunstone[edit]
Sunstone is a glass-like stone present in Atmoran sagas. According to legends they allowed a longship captain to see the sun's location even on a cloudy day, but their secret was lost long ago. Ysgramor was said to have used such stone in his voyages. Certain sunstones were inscribed with runes, around their perimeters. At least one such stone was a gift of great favor from a Nordic High King.
Toadstone[edit]
A semi-precious stone that was once thought to neutralize poison if placed in a drink.
Topaz[edit]
Topaz is a kind of orange crystal often used in the making of jewelry. They have little use in enchanting or alchemy. Topaz dust can be ingested to fortify one's personality but damages their agility and luck.
For alchemy information, see the Topaz Dust entry.
Turquoise[edit]
Turquoise is a blue/green gemstone often used on weaponry and for decorative purposes. It is known to be mined in Eastmarch
Turquoise glass treated with glow-spells is sometimes passed off as Welkynd Stones by scam artists.
For alchemy information, see the Alchemy lore entry.
Vitrine[edit]
Vitrine, also known as Dwemeri Glass, is a kind of glass used by the Dwemer and the Clockwork Apostles.
The Dwemer mined raw Malachite. They used vitrine, along with other materials, such as ebony, adamant and dwarven metal, for constructing certain vamidiums.
The Clockwork Apostles of Clockwork City used vitrine as well. It was used together with synthetic wool to create masks used to protect their eyes and faces during their travels through the Radius.
Void-Crystal[edit]
Void Crystal[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Silver Garnet Ring in Skyrim
- ^ Silver Garnet Ring in Blades
- ^ Silver Garnet Necklace in Blades
- ^ Garnet item description in Blades
- ^ Garnets in ESO
- ^ Garnets as tempering materials in Blades
- ^ Coo in The Infernal City and Lord of Souls
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