Magnetic frustration in atacamite triggers dramatic cooling when exposed to strong fields

Natural crystals fascinate with their vibrant colors, their nearly flawless appearance and their manifold symmetrical forms. But researchers are interested in them for quite different reasons: Among the countless minerals already known, they always discover some materials with unusual magnetic properties. One of these is atacamite, which exhibits magnetocaloric behavior at low temperatures—that is, the material's temperature changes significantly when it is subjected to a magnetic field. A team headed by TU Braunschweig and the HZDR has now investigated this rare property. In the long term, the results, now published in Physical Review Letters, could help to develop new materials for energy-efficient magnetic cooling.

BIG and smol 

Large shell containing green eyeshadow made with atacamite, azurite and apatite, from the tomb of Priestess/Queen Puabi.  Inscriptions in her tomb do not mention any relation to a king or husband, which suggests that she ruled independently.

2600 - 2400 BCE

Royal Cemetery of Ur, Mesopotamia

Also! I’ll be making a raffle for the next weeks! There will be 3 gem adoptables each week! If you want to participate just reblog tagging me and two other friends saying which gem would you like to adopt! There will be 3 winners and The 3 gems for this week are:

Workers!

Crimson Calcite: A cuddler therapist, her gem is on her chest.

Beetle Wing: An usher, she proclaims the arrivance of any member of a court, her gem is on her chin.

And Atacamite: Rubie’s tutors and coaches, her gem is on her eye.

Rhodochrosite

Uses: Rhodochrosite represents selfless love and compassion. It's a stone that imparts a dynamic and positive attitude, it is excellent for the heart, teaching it to assimilate painful feelings and cope with trauma. It cleans the chakras of the solar plexus and heart. On a psychological level, gives vitality to the mind by encouraging a positive attitude and enhancing creativity. Rhodochrosite is a variety of calcite, which shares its properties.

Color: Pink to red

Appearance: Vitreous or pearly

Safe for elixir: No, contains lead.

Cavansite 

Uses: Cavansite stimulates channeling and intuitive abilities. Cavansite has been used for psychic healing and protection, is useful for meditation, prompting reflection and assimilation of new ideas. It has been used to assist in the release of endorphins and stabilize the pulse rate, is also helpful in the treatment of eye disorders.

Color: greyish blue to blue

Appearance: Vitreous

Safe for elixir: No, contains copper

Sugilite

Uses: Sugilite stimulates the third eye, crown, and transpersonal chakras. Iy helps open the crown chakra, drawing in spiritual energy and integrating one’s higher spiritual purpose with our life purpose. The energy of Sugilite is protecting, cleansing and purifying. Sugilite can transmute all negativity and the experience of the spiritual void. In meditation, Sugilite calms the hyperactive mind and brings deep inner peace. From this altered state of consciousness, the heart begins to resonate with the universe, illuminating with the healing energy of spiritual, pure love. Sugilite can help relieve headaches and migraines. May help alleviate depression and bring order to those living in the chaos of a psychotic episode. Sugilite can be used to bring harmony to the lymphatic system.

Color: Purple, black, yellow to brown

Appearance:  Vitreous to waxy

Safe for elixir: No, contains aluminum.

Seraphinite

Uses:  The romantic name and its association with the angels have earned Seraphinite a reputation as a healing gem, good for the nerves and for brain cells. Seraphinite stimulates all chakra, has gentle “feminine” energy which purifies, cleanses and soothes an angry heart. Seraphinite acts to harmonizes and aligns the energy of the aura with the physical body allowing to feel centered. Seraphinite raises consciousness to the higher realms, facilitating communion whilst drawing in the healings energies that those have to offer. Seraphinite is an excellent crystal for identifying and releasing patterns which no longer serve for the highest good or true path. Seraphinite helps balance cellular function and structure. Seraphinite assists the body to assimilate minerals and vitamins. Seraphinite may be helpful in allergic treatment.

Color: Green to gray, with silver chatoyant fibers

Appearance: Vitreous or greasy

Safe for elixir: Not in a conventional way because contains aluminum (choose the alternative way).

Ulexite

Uses: Ulexite is known as the television stone since it expands on its surface everything that is put under it. It's excellent for understanding the meaning of dreams and visions, it shows the path one should undertake on a spiritual level and would introduce you deeply into the self. A more pragmatic level is a stone that takes you to the heart of the problem, pointing to its resolution and activating the solutions. It gives the ability to see in the hearts of others and, thanks to its soft energy, it is beneficial for meditation and relaxation. Putting on the third eye enhances visualization and dissipates mental and negative mental energy, the ulexite enhances the imagination and stimulates creativity. The best position is on the third eye.

Color: Colorless, white, grey

Appearance: Silky, vitreous

Safe for elixir: Contains toxic boron and asbestos. Also, the rock will lose its luster when in contact with water, soluble in warm water This mineral should only be used in an elixir prepared via the alternative method of preparation.

Opal

Uses:  Opal enhances the cosmic consciousness and induces psychic and mystical visions, stimulates originality and creativity, helping to reveal the true self besides teaching you that what you give always comes back. Psychologically, boost self-esteem and helps you understand your own potential. It also gives you spontaneity at the mental level. Emotionally, it's associated with love and passion, while intensifying emotional states. Place it where it's most suitable, especially the solar plexus and heart. The opal can have different colors, each of them specific an additional property:

Black /brown/gray: It's associated with the sacral and useful chakra to process and integrate newly released emotions.

Blue: It's associated with the throat chakra and helps enhance communication.

Pink: It helps to clean and activates the basic and third chakra. It helps you to gain focus.

Fire: Strengthens personal power and protect against external hazards.

Green: It's a cleansing and rejuvenating stone that helps you in relationships and emotional recovery.

White: It's ideal to use it as a divination ball. It also connects the basic chakras with the coronary.

Color: White, yellow, blue, red, green, black, orange

Appearance: Waxy, vitreous, greasy

Safe for elixir: May be toxic, also can crack, break in contact with water.

Apophyllite

Uses:  Apophyllite is an effective energy conductor and carrier of the akashic record. Its presence in a room boosts the energies due to its great transmission power. Creates conscious connections between the physical and spiritual realms. During extra-body trips, maintains an intense connection with it, allowing a transfer of information between the two kingdoms. It's a stone that enhances clairvoyance, stimulating intuition and allowing access to the future. Mentally it has a calming effect and, at the spiritual level, it imbues analysis and the decision-making process. Emotionally, releases repressed emotions and calms apprehension, allowing tolerance to uncertainty. At the curative level, apophyllite is considered excellent in reiki because of its healing properties, allowing the patient to be taken to a deeper state of relaxation and receptivity. Take it where it's most appropriate or, with a pyramid of apophyllite in the third eye when channeling or meditating. *Personal observation: eases regressions.

Color: White, greenish tints

Appearance: Vitreous, pearly

Safe for elixir: Yes

Atacamite

Uses: Atacamite can stimulate the immune system and thymus gland, it’s useful for reducing fear and stress and is helpful in treating nervous system disorders. It can also clear the throat chakra, assisting self-expression. Atacamite activates and stimulates spiritual connection and visualization. Raises consciousness to higher levels of vibration when used in meditation or held over the third eye. It can be used for astral travel and journeying and opens a channel for guidance and spiritual truths.

Color: Dark green

Appearance:  Vitreous, translucent to transparent

Safe for elixir: No, contains copper.

Part I

Part II

Selenite with Atacamite, Paratacamite & Herbertsmithite,