metamorphic
Shiva Lingam
Cryptocrystalline Quartz (Jasperiod) with Iron Oxide (Fe2O3)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Tan with reddish-brown swirls, Luster: Waxy to dull, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Tan with reddish-brown swirls, Luster: Waxy to dull, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed in the Narmada River in India. These are cryptocrystalline quartz stones shaped and naturally tumbled by the river's flow over centuries. Geologically, they are jasper-rich river stones metamorphosed by ancient tectonic activity.
Uses & applications
Primarily used for religious worship (Hinduism), spiritual practices, meditation, decorative art, and gemstone collection.
Geological facts
These stones are considered sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. They are only harvested during the dry season once a year by certain families who inherit the right to collect them from the riverbed.
Field identification & locations
Identified by their unique elongated oval (lingam) shape and characteristic brown or red spiral/band markings against a sandy-beige background. Found exclusively in the Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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