Kyber crystal Kyber crystals , also called the living crystal , the lightsaber crystal or simply the kyber , and known as kaiburr crystals in ancient times , were rare , Force - attuned crystal s that grew in nature and were found on scattered planet s across the galaxy . They were used by the Jedi and the Sith in the construction of their lightsaber s . As part of Jedi training , younglings were sent to the Crystal Caves of the ice planet of Ilum to mine crystals in order to construct their own lightsabers . The crystal ' s mix of unique luster was called " the water of the kyber " by the Jedi . There were also larger , rarer crystals of great power and that , according to legends , were used at the heart of ancient superweapon s by the Sith . Description . Kyber crystal s were Force - attuned crystals that grew rarely but throughout the galaxy , with some areas having a greater abundance than others . The crystals concentrated energy in a unique manner through the Force , resonating with it . The crystals exhibited a sort of " collective consciousness " , verging on sentience , and could non - verbally communicate with both one another and living beings . Some theorized that the permutations in the kyber lattice were comparable to emotional shifts in a sentient being . Internally , kyber crystals were composed of both organic and inorganic matter . They were stable at temperature s and pressures found in the cores of large star s , and are thus impervious to fire and resistant to hammering , and noted for their intricate patterns . Kyber crystals were sturdy enough to survive the violent explosion of a lightsaber ' s power grid , such as those caused by accidentally inverting the emitter matrix during the weapon ' s assembly . Kyber crystals would not warm a sheath or a towel or any inanimate object , responding only to life , including plant life . If an individual were to wrap their hand around a crystal , the crystal would warm , but not change in temperature . The crystals grew in an organized way , adding to their prismatic structure one piece at a time . They had no discernible lifespan , and thus could be found from sizes as small as a fingernail to gigantic proportions . All kybers were attuned to the Force regardless of their size . Incorrectly pumping laser energy into the crystals weakened their lattices in the same way living cells were affected by radiation . True kybers were only found in veins of pure kyberite . If the crystal contained impurities , it was regarded as a false kyber . Ranite was closely related to kyberite , but was denser and tougher , and did not contain kyber crystals . Crystals were typically brought to the surface of planets by movements along fault lines , exhumed from the high temperatures and pressure conditions in which they form . The crystals could be mined from secondary deposits in streams , perhaps following long transport , owing to their mechanical and chemical resilience . Alternately , they could be found in their primary , " in situ " positions , having grown into free space on the walls of lava tubes , caves , fault zones and within veins of kyberite . Kyber crystals were most notably found in Ilum ' s Crystal Caves . They were a critical component in the construction of lightsabers , focusing energy into the weapon ' s distinct plasma blade . The crystals shared a special relationship with the Jedi for tens of thousands of years , and welcomed them to hear their song and learn their lessons . Jedi youngling s traveled to the ice caves to harvest their own crystals , which they then used to build their lightsabers . The Force guided their selection , finding a crystal that matched them as Jedi . To those not meant to receive it , the crystal was cold to the touch , however those the crystal chose would hear its " music " and " harmony , " becoming attracted to it . Crystals lacked color before they were chosen by a Jedi . Once chosen , most lightsabers became blue or green , though other shades were created in rare instances , most notably Mace Windu ' s purple blade , the yellow blades of the Jedi Temple Guard s , the black Darksaber , and Ahsoka Tano ' s white lightsabers . Kyber crystals were inherently attuned to the light side of the Force , and would attempt to resist any effort by dark side practitioners to use them in lightsabers . To this end , the only way a Sith , or other darksider could make use of a kyber crystal was to use the Force to dominate the crystal , bending it to their will . This process would cause the crystal to " bleed " , as if it were a living organism , resulting in the distinctive crimson - bladed lightsabers synonymous with the Sith . It was possible to " heal " a corrupted kyber crystal , the only known instance of purifying a corrupted kyber crystal was when Ahsoka Tano purified the two crystals she retrieved from the Sixth Brother ' s lightsaber following his defeat . In this case , the crystals turned white . The crystals were noted for their unmatched ability to channel energy and generate enormous returns . To this end , numerous individuals attempted to make synthetic kyber crystal s , though their artificial nature made them highly unstable and explosive . If a crystal was subjected to forceful attempts to study it or harness its power , it would " flee " such attempts , hindering those that sought to use it against its will . Furthermore , those that worked in proximity to them would experience headaches and a loss of sleep , becoming incessantly fanatic and fixated over the crystal in the process . For centuries , the Jedi cut and faceted the crystals to eliminate occlusions and intensify their power yield . Galen Erso theorized that larger crystals needed to be faceted , not only to eliminate these occlusions , but also to minimize diffraction resulting from the introduction of energy from a lasing medium . With proper faceting , the pulse of energy released by the crystal could be greatly amplified and , with the help of containment devices , provide inexpensive power for developing worlds , or be directed into a collimating beam of incredible power ; as was used on the DS - 1 battle station . Galen Erso also theorized that increased energy yield could be further attained by forcing what the Jedi called the " day and night " lattices of the Force to realign . By realigning the crystals lattices along the dark or nighttime axis of the Force , Galen postulated that it could allow for greater control over the crystal ' s tendency to diffract . Thus , technology could be used to force the crystals to obey their masters . The abundant yield could then be siphoned off , contained , and used as enriched energy . Without containment , the yield could result in a catastrophic event , capable of wiping out a large population center . Specifically , when one giant kyber crystal was destabilised by Saw Gerrera , it absorbed so much energy that when it finally did reach critical mass , it exploded with enough force to destroy both the freighter transporting it and a nearby Star Destroyer . History . Before the Jedi and Sith orders , kyber crystals were worshiped by primitive societies for their fire - resistant properties , intricate structures , and near impermeability ; signs which made them appear outwardly eternal . Ancient beings associated them with wind , rain , and breath . It is believed that the Jedi saw them as embodying an aspect of the Force . Over the centuries , the Jedi amassed an almost exclusive right to the crystals , protecting and collecting them to decorate their temples and power their lightsabers . Some saw this collection of the kybers as proof of the Jedi ' s inordinate greed , and their secrecy over its nature a result of their wish to remain in power . Others saw the Jedi as protecting the galaxy from those who might use the powers of the crystal for dark purposes . During ancient wars between the Jedi and the Sith , in which both sides fought for control over the galaxy , superweapon s were created by the Sith that were powered by giant kyber crystals . The Sith temple on the planet Malachor was one such weapon . Although these stories were considered legends , a giant kyber crystal was discovered on Utapau during the Clone Wars . The Confederacy of Independent Systems attempted to acquire the crystal , but they were discovered by Jedi Master Obi - Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker . The Jedi were able to prevent the crystal from falling farther into Confederate hands , though Yoda was concerned that Darth Sidious would discover another giant kyber crystal in order to construct another superweapon . After the fall of the Galactic Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire , Sidious — publicly known as Emperor Palpatine — and his Empire continued the Republic ' s former construction of the Death Star , a battle station capable of destroying entire planets . Kyber crystals were used as part of the Death Star ' s superlaser and Galen Erso was brought on as the main researcher under Project Celestial Power . Kyber crystals were looted from Jedi lightsabers , temples , Ilum , and other worlds where they could be found . To some , studying the crystals was not disrespecting the Jedi ' s teachings , but allowing galactic society to expose some of the Jedi ' s long - held secrets . Five years before the Battle of Yavin , one such crystal was located by the rebels from Lothal , who discovered its location and destroyed it . The destruction produced a large shockwave , destroying everything in its path . In 1 BBY , a combined Partisans and Rebel Alliance strike team led by Saw Gerrera intercepted the Imperial cargo freighter Freighter 2716 , which was transporting a giant kyber crystal to the Tonnis sector . Before the freighter could rendezvous with Captain Slavin ' s Star Destroyer , Saw destabilized the crystal . The resulting explosion destroyed both the freighter and Slavin ' s Star Destroyer . However , Saw failed to uncover the Empire ' s secret Death Star project . A year after the Battle of Endor , five pilgrim s from the Church of the Force — the MA - B0 cargo lifter droid Mabo , Addar the human , Jumon the Iakaru , Madrammagath the Elomin , and Uggorda the Duros — undertook a mission to return kyber crystals which the Empire had plundered from Christophsis . They had been dispatched by the pastor and philanthropist Brin Izisca . During their pilgrimage , they were attacked by several Force - sensitive creatures known as the Kyaddak , which killed Maddrammagath , Uggorda , and Jumon . After thirteen arduous days , Mabo and Addar finally reach a broken crystal wall where they returned the crystals to their excavated site . Kylo Ren ' s lightsaber had a cracked kyber crystal , which generated an unstable blade . The excess power was vented out the sides , thus creating a crossguard - like design . The most important and prestigious vessels of the First Order had weapons upgraded with kyber crystals from some secret source in the Unknown Regions .