While there are many important objects and artifacts in the Star Wars series, few are quite as important as the Kyber crystals. They may seem like simple little crystals that help to change the color of lightsabers, but there is so much more to the Kyber Crystals thanks to the long history that they have with both the Jedi and the Sith.
The Star Wars crystals are generally seen as objects that interact and resonate with the Force more than average objects, to the point that they could almost be said to have some level of life. Without these powerful Force-attuned crystals, the Jedi and Sith may not have the iconic weapons that they wield across the galaxy far, far away.
How Are Kyber Crystals Used?
Kyber Crystals are a rare component of lightsabers, though the Jedi did manage to locate worlds in which the crystals were easy to find. They would send Younglings out to obtain a crystal of their own, to give them a taste of adventure and Jedi history. Once obtained, the Younglings would use their retrieved crystal in their own lightsaber, which would also dictate the color and shade of the blade. Luckily, the crystals were strong enough to work as an internal component of lightsabers, allowing Jedi to wield the weapon even when it was under severe strain. Internally, the crystals were able to both route and output power, making them a perfect choice for lightsabers.
While Kyber Crystals might seem like a valuable resource for weapons beyond lightsabers, it seems that people have struggled to make worthwhile weapons without the required attachment to the Force. Interestingly, the Sith originally had a difficult time understanding and bending the crystals to their whim. For whatever reason, the crystals are more attuned to the Light Side of the Force, making them difficult for the Sith to use them for their twisted purposes. Eventually, the Sith would learn that they could dominate the crystals with the brute force of their connection to the Force and cause the crystal to bleed, leading to the red coloration of Sith lightsabers.
While there are many unique lightsaber colors, it is important to note that a red Sith lightsaber can be converted back to an undisturbed form. It’s not clear if all cleansed crystals will result in the same color, as the only major reference Star Wars fans have for such an event comes from the character Ahsoka Tano. She was able to cleanse two corrupted lightsabers, resulting in the blades taking on a white glow. However, some have said that the coloration has to do with the crystal sensing Ahsoka's personality, and that they may not alway turn white after being saved from corruption.
What Are The Different Kyber Crystals?
Believe it or not, there is a large list of different kinds of Kyber Crystals. Many different crystals were named for the planets where they can be found, but there are a variety of different objects that could be used in the place of typical Kyber Crystals. There are also certain crystals that added small differences to the standard lightsaber due to the nature of the Kyber Crystals.
At some point, different beings began trying to create synthetic Kyber Crystals thanks to their potential applications. The only issue with a synthetic version was that the original crystals had a deep connection to the Force. As such, any attempt to replicate the crystals would result in something incredibly unstable. These crystals were so unstable that they were likely to explode, which resulted in them being made illegal.
There are also a number of crystals that are a bit more unique in nature. These include Dragite Gems, Krayt Dragon Pearls, Lorridian Gemstones, and Obsidian. Both Dragite Gems and Lorridian Gemstones are similar to standard Kyber Crystals, but they add effects to lightsabers, like creating shockwaves and allowing for action prediction. Krayt Dragon Pearls are essentially condensed Kyber Crystals that provide powerful and loud lightsabers. Obsidian, the same material Darth Vader’s fortress is made from, has been used in lightsabers, albeit after it has been corrupted by the Dark Side of the Force.
The History Of Kyber Crystals
The Kyber Crystals have anything but humble beginnings. The stones were worshipped by societies long before the Jedi came into the picture. The stones were quite intricate and powerful before they were ever harnessed for use in lightsabers, so it makes sense that societies with lower technical advancements would feel the crystal’s inherent connection to the Force.
Eventually, the Jedi would come into contact with the crystals. They would immediately become a key aspect of Jedi culture thanks to their clear attunement to the Force. The Jedi’s coveting of the stones caused some civilizations to question their moral standing, but as always, the Jedi were interested in the use of the stones for good.
When the Jedi and the Sith began coming into conflict with one another, the Sith began trying to harness Kyber Crystals in mighty weapons of mass destruction. Issues like these would continue to crop up from time to time, when members of the Sith became too ambitious. The Sith would continue nefarious use of the crystals in the construction of the Death Star, as Kyber Crystals were used for the devastating laser. Obviously, the Sith had no issue harnessing Force-attuned objects for the purposes of destruction.
One of the latest uses of Kyber Crystals comes from Kylo Ren and his lightsaber. The unique design of his blade isn’t just to sell more toys. It also allows his blade to push out more energy due to the unstable nature of the crystal in his lightsaber. While there will likely always be Kyber Crystals included in Star Wars, fans will have to wait to see when a new set of Kyber-fueled weapons are created and used either for good or for evil.
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