Flame Crystals

Used for everything from magic to industry, flame crystals are a sought after commodity that rarely seems able to meet demands.

Properties

Material Characteristics

A piece of flame crystal typically resembles a rough-cut gem stone with its size often varying depending on its intended use.  It's coloring also varies depending on what state it is in: active, inactive, or inert. An inactive flame crystal will be red with possible streaks of orange. An active crystal glows a red-orange as if it were on fire. An inert crystal is dulled to dark reddish-black, marking it as no longer usable.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Even when inactive, flame crystals radiate a noticeable warmth and slight glow.
This effect can be enhanced by having multiple crystals near each other, though this has lead to potential issues with transporting large quantities in the past. This is especially true for low-quality stones as they have been known to compound each other's heating properties when packed together.

Geology & Geography

Flame crystals most consistently form in places with a constant source of heat. Locations known for volcanic activity are almost guaranteed to have deposits in their soil.

Life & Expiration

A flame crystal will go inert after a period of time. Exactly how long that period is is difficult to predict as it seems to depend on multiple factors including the size of the specific crystal and its quality. The inerting process can and often is accelerated by use of the crystal.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Traditionally, flame crystals have been used as a portable source of ignition, though this is usually reserved for more affluent or well provisioned users given the crystal's high demand.
Magical practitioners also use flame crystals as a catalyst for assisting with casting fire spells.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Access to flame crystals is often seen as a mark of one's wealth and resources. It is not uncommon for individuals to fashion the stones into ornamentation such as rings, necklaces, or the tops of canes.

Industrial Use

Many have theorized the potential improvements that could be made if certain practices were adapted to use flame crystals over more conventional sources of heat like coal.
However, none of these ideas have proven feasible given the scarcity and already high demand for the crystals.

Hazards

Low-quality flame crystals are not as stable as their purer counterparts and carry significant risks that must be kept in mind, especially when storing or transporting them. 
The collective heating effect low-quality stones possess is far more pronounced and has been known to cause fires if adequate precautions are not taken. Exceptionally low-quality crystals have been know to explode when given a powerful enough shock. Thankfully, this usually requires something akin to a hard strike from a hammer, but the reality is still a concern when handling large quantities.

Reusability & Recycling

Research has been made into the possibility of how one might revitalize an inert crystal or even synthesize new ones to help alleviate the high demands and costs associated with it. Sadly, none have found a successful process for either has of yet.

Distribution

Trade & Market

In addition to legitimate dealers of the stone, flame crystals are often a material sold on the black market given its high demand.

Storage

Storing and transporting flame crystals is often complicated by the need to mitigate the accumulating heat generated by having numerous crystals in close proximity to each other. Most vendors solve this problem by storing their stones in water-filled containers that absorb most of the heat.

Type

Ore

Value

Medium-High

Rarity

Uncommon

Color

A bright red-orange when active that dulls to a redidsh-black when spent.