ORE FEATURES: Refraction

The title of this article was going to be reflection. The plan was to take the month off from my stone studies to reflect back on this past year. There have been many big changes and I needed to catch my breath.

However, as I finally took time to absorb this past year's events it occurred to me that I didn't need to "reflect" on the changes I have accomplished. Reflection refers to how much light bounces off a metal or crystal. What I need is some time to "refract".

Refraction is the degree to which light passing through a crystal or faceted gemstone will bend and slow down. In a vacuum light travels at 300,000 kilometers per second. As light travels through one substance (air) into another (a gemstone) friction from these substances slows it down, causing the waves to bend. This produces sparkles, rainbows and brilliant flashes of color.

Willebrod Snellius offered a formula for measuring this phenomenon in 1621. Snell's Law, simply stated divides the velocity of light (inside a vacuum) by the speed it travels through a specific gemstone. The measurement is called the refractive index (RI). Diamonds have one of the highest refractive indexes at 2.417; Moissanite is the most refractive at 2.67.

The art of cutting a crystal to exploit its greatest refractive qualities has become an exacting science. Before striking the first facet on any gem, the carver must calculate its critical angle.

Light traveling through a faceted crystal faces a dilemma when it reaches the interior wall of the stone's surface. If the light reaches this surface at just the right angle (the critical angle) its altered waves will exit the gem and reveal the sparkle its journey creates. If that angle is wrong, the light becomes lost inside the crystal. No rainbow, no flash.

Intricately cut facets guide light waves on a perfect journey through each gem. Allowing light and stone to join in a delightful dance of color.

Take time to "refract". Allow the great promise of life to flow through you. Slow down your high velocity life, bend it, and determine what your "critical angle" is. Then calculate the perfect path to exhibit the sparkling rainbow of your highest potential.

Receive a FREE Quartz crystal with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be an ORE FEATURES subscriber as of December 6, 2006 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. This Subscriber Special expires January 2, 2007

Fourth Quarter Moon, Tuesday December 12 9:32 am ET
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Your choice of two gemstones in a silver spiral! Tell me your favorite things and win your favorite stones!

Tell me your:
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ORE'S POET PAGE: The new Poet's Page is now live at Ozark Rock Exchange. Thank you to everyone that has sent their poems. You can check out the inaugural submissions at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/poets/index.shtml Submit your poems, prose and short essays to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com - be sure to put "Poet Page" in the subject line.

HOLIDAY SHIPPING DEADLINES: If you are making a purchase for holiday gifts. Here are some dates to keep in mind. For Hanukkah gifts, please place your orders by noon December 11th. For Yule, Christmas and Kwanzaa gifting, purchases should be in by noon on December 19.

NEW ARRIVALS: Are due in this week - watch for a special announcement!

WITCHVOX: Thanks to the Witches Voice, for publishing my article on Amethyst. Witches Voice is an excellent resource and they offer individual resources for each state so you can find events, festivals and fairs near you.

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