Describes how crystals form in nature, how crystals are grown artificially, and how crystals are used in industry. Numerous color photos with text identify the various gemstones.
A young woman faced with the prospect of losing her musical career travels to a mining planet, where the mining of crystal requires musical talent but causes irreversible physiological changes.
Killashandra forgets her past by becoming a Crystal Singer and is able to find both wealth and love, but when a violent storm destroys her claim and she falls ill with crystal sickness, Killashandra decides she must leave the man she loves.