Astrallite

  Astrallite is the most common type of crystal used in the Sol System, ranging from sand-like grains that store small amounts of data to crystals larger than a human which propel spacecraft between planets. It is the technological foundation of modern life. Compared to aurorite, terrestrial crystals, and especially oortite, astrallite is seen as "neutral," excelling at many uses and suitable for most.   Like the name suggests, astrallite is grows among the stars — or more precisely, in space. Venusian crystal growers pioneered the lattice method of astrallite farming, where seed crystals are attached to a fine mesh and put in orbit around a planetoid. The mesh is left for months to years, depending on the desired size of the final crystal. Once fully grown, the astrallite is collected and sent to lapidarists who cut them into their final forms, bringing out the unique eccentricities and characteristics of each raw crystal.   Today, most planets and many moons have crystal growing facilities in orbit. Venus-style lattices are the most common anchoring method, but innovation in this field is continual. Bespoke setups which the operators swear are far better for this or that purpose are everywhere.

Old Growth

The largest crystals are used for city-scale energy storage and interplanetary crystal engines. They can take decades or longer to grow, are particularly rare because crystals tend to grow slower the larger they are. Many crystals simply refuse to grow after a certain point, or worse, fracture into two or more irregularly shaped crystals. Crystal growers lavish and dote upon their largest wards. Daily visits, communion, and the right songs can coax certain crystals to truly impressive sizes. The sheer time and devotion required causes large crystals to command hefty prices.   The Star of Jupiter recently made headlines as one of the most expensive crystals ever sold. Already famous for being the largest crystal ever grown, its care passed from generation to generation of crystal grower. While the buyer is unknown, speculation tends towards a very wealthy and old Patrician or the Jovian government itself. The mesh the Star once sat on used to host hundreds of crystals, all of which were seeded from the same "Gentle Giant" germline. None of the cousin crystals quite rivalled the Star, and were harvested earlier and cut for other purposes.