Lightsaber crystal A lightsaber crystal was a term used to describe any variety of crystals , gems , stones , or other objects used as the focus in the construction of a lightsaber . At the heart of every lightsaber was a set of crystals that resonated to produce the efficient , powerful blade . While the most common crystals used in the process were from the Adega system , Ilum , and Dantooine ( in the so - called " Crystal Cave " ) , Jedi and Sith used a variety of crystals to produce various colors , effects and unique abilities . Some crystals could even enhance the Force skills of a particular user . Other gems , such as colored crystals or diamonds , were used exclusively for prismatic effects . However not all lightsaber crystals were actually crystals at all . There were plenty of exceptions where a Jedi or Sith would use a different material or substance in place of a crystal , such as physical remains , shards of glass , and even special micro machinery . During the Great Sith War epoch , many lightsabers were created using Kunda stone s , a natural geologic formation from the planet Kadril , in place of crystals . These stones boasted numerous practical applications in medicine and communications ; however , when added to other focusing crystals , they produced a broader beam . Preparation . Before placing the crystal in the lightsaber , the Jedi or Sith had to imbue them with the Force . To do this , the Force - user was required to meditate on the crystal for many days . Luke Skywalker meditated on his crystal in Ben Kenobi ' s home with only R2 - D2 to keep him company . While the Jedi used natural crystals , the Sith mostly used red - hued synthetic crystals . Sith - made synthetic crystals created a slightly more powerful blade when energized by the dark side of the Force . Sith lightsaber blades could " break " the blade of a Jedi Saber , but such occurrences were rare . Darth Sidious had Darth Maul use a special furnace to make his own crystals . Maul worked constantly for several days to make the four crystals needed for his double - bladed lightsaber . Their creation required intense concentration , as Darth Maul had to use the Force not only to make them the proper shape and to ensure that the crystals were free from impurities , but also to keep himself alive for the long time it took in the blistering heat of the furnace . Maul was particularly proud of this achievement and believed it to be an example of the Sith ' s superiority over the Jedi . However , it should be noted that Sidious did not make his subsequent apprentices — Tyranus and Vader — create their crystals in such a manner , instead supplying them himself . Luke Skywalker , who had decided to create his lightsaber crystal instead of using a natural one , also used a special furnace he found in Obi - Wan Kenobi ' s home to prepare his crystal . As exemplified in both Skywalker and Maul ' s cases , the creator of a synthetic crystal channeled his Force energies and personality into the crystal ( s ) as it was formed , making it unique in every way , including the color . The Jedi Order had an advanced technique that allowed , in case of need , the cleaning of synthetic crystals made by Dark Side users from the hate of their former owners . In 41 ABY , Jaden Korr , who had lost his lightsaber , used the Force to banish the Dark Side from the red crystal of a Dark Jedi he had killed . Through meditation , he was able to remove all traces of the Dark Side and imbue the crystal with the Light Side , turning the Dark Jedi ' s lightsaber into a yellow - bladed Jedi weapon . Significance of colors . Around 4000 BBY , lightsaber crystals were used to indicate a Jedi ' s chosen class . Blue indicated a Jedi Guardian , a Jedi who used the Force on a more physical level . Green indicated a Jedi Consular , a Jedi who preferred to reflect on the mysteries of the Force and fight the dark side at its heart . Yellow indicated a Jedi Sentinel , a Jedi who honed his or her skills in a balance of combat and scholarly pursuits . This distinction fell out of practice in later years when most Jedi used blue or green crystals from Ilum Caves based on personal choice , and then the use of crystals coming from various source worlds became marginal . Purple , yellow , and orange crystals were still used by some Jedi until the fall of the Jedi Order , but they were exceedingly rare , and often passed down through generations . During the Galactic Civil War , the Galactic Empire banned trade and possession of all lightsaber crystals . No longer having Ilum crystal s at their disposal , Jedi of the New Jedi Order settled for the use of various crystals and gems , creating lightsaber blades of multiple colors . The synthetic crystals , favored by users of the dark side for their offensive properties , were filled with the negative energies of their creators which gave to the crystals their red color ; the majority of the Sith and Dark Jedi wielded crimson - bladed lightsabers , though colors similar in hue to red , such as orange and magenta , were not unheard of . Known lightsaber crystals . There were a number of different stones , minerals , and crystals that could be used in the construction of a lightsaber . Some jewels were known for creating different colors and effects in the lightsabers in which they were placed . Often , the rarer the crystal , the more powerful its effects on a lightsaber were . Known color crystals . For millennia , the Jedi Order lit lightsabers in every color and hue imaginable . However , following the Battle of Ruusan , the hues of most available crystals had been limited to either blue or green . Lightsaber color crystals could also be compressed , resulting in a pulsating blade , or they could be unstable , resulting in a core which swirled and sparkled . Lightsaber crystals of different hues could also be used in the same lightsaber to make a new blade color ; for example , Galen Marek used Rahm Kota ' s green crystal along with his father ' s blue crystal to create an aqua blade . The following is a list of all known blade colors . Behind the scenes . Crystals first appeared in the " Star Wars " galaxy simply as an embedded decoration on the lightsaber hilt in the " A New Hope " novelization . Aside from this single instance , there are no crystals mentioned in the original trilogy or its novelizations . Most crystals with special properties were from various video game and role playing game sources . Since these special powers were often a function of game play , and not of the storyline , it is questionable if these powers are truly canon . However , since there are several examples of crystals with special powers in actual storylines ( e . g . Lambent , Kaiburr , etc . ) , it is generally accepted that other crystals had special powers as well . In " Star Wars Galaxies " , players must " tune " lightsaber crystals to themselves before they may use them in a lightsaber . Once tuned , the crystal can only be used by that player , and only in lightsabers created by that player . In " " , players are able to gain lightsaber crystals to use with their lightsabers .