Alternative Names: Silicon Carbide
Origin: Worldwide
Mineral Species: N/A
Mineral Group: N/A
Chemical Formula: SiC
Hardness: 9
Crystal System: N/A
Colour: Grey, black, often with iridescence.
Typical Appearance: Pseudo-hexagonal crystals and crystalline masses.
Birthstone: No known astrological sign
Chakra Alignment: Root, but affects all Chakras
Element: None
Origin of Name & Mythology: Named by the original manufacturer, Acheson, in 1890, who originally attempted to synthesize artificial diamond, but ended up creating blue crystals of silicon carbide, which he called Carborundum.
Carborundum balances the chakras, and is calming and gently grounding. It shields and protects, particularly in cases of electromagnetic stress.
Carborundum allows for inner expansion in an orderly and organised manner, as if each individual cell has been allocated the same amount of space around it. In spite of the dark colouration of the stone, its general mood is light and happy.
Note: Carborundum is extremely hard, and is capable of scratching glass and all other crystals apart from diamond, so care should be taken not to scratch tables or other surfaces.
Carborundum is not a natural mineral, but rather is produced in a number of industrial processes. Carborundum has a wide range of industrial uses; As an abrasive; As grains bonded together to form extremely hard ceramics, which are used in car brakes and clutches, and plates in bulletproof vests; In electronic applications including high voltage/high temperature semiconductor electronics.
