A classic pendulum shape: a single polished quartz point in a silver-tone cap on a long metal chain. The stone is small and clear. It is about 25 cm long including the chain and was made in India.
Ice that never melts
The word crystal comes from the Greek “krystallos”, which meant ice. In ancient times many people believed that colourless quartz was ice frozen so hard that it would never melt again. Today this clear, colourless quartz is also called rock crystal.
In tradition it is a stone of clarity. Its simple shape also makes it a good first pendulum.
A longer hold means a slower swing
How a pendulum swings depends on the length of the chain. Hold the very end and the stone swings out and back calmly, roughly once a second. Grip it higher up and the movement gets quicker. Try out which length feels comfortable to you, and then always hold it there.
To begin with, ask something you already know the answer to, such as what day it is. That way you can see how the pendulum moves in your hand for yes. If it hardly moves in the first few days, that is fine too, as for some people it only gets going after a few tries.
Clear, with fine natural veils
Natural quartz often shows tiny veils and thin streaks inside. These are the stone’s own markings and differ from piece to piece, so yours will look a little different from the photo. After use, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and put it away so that the chain does not tangle.
Quartz is a hard mineral that even a knife blade will not scratch, so it stands up well to everyday use.