MetalWands

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Metal Wands
Tristan Isolde (tr047)
 

Although wood is by far the most popular medium for wand building, metals are quite common in some wizarding circles. They are incredibly difficult to break, sometimes impossible if bewitched properly, and safe from most attempts at tampering. They will deflect most curses and hexes much more easily than wood.

Unfortunately there is a downside. Metal tends to absorb the magic emitted from a core substance before it can be fully concentrated, which often makes spells less powerful than those performed with the aid of wooden wands. Therefore, only extremely powerful --and often rare-- substances can be used in a metal wand, and then they are seldom better at spell work than wooden ones. Also, absorbing the magic may over time cause metal wands to become very temperamental.
 
 

Chapter 2: Stone-Tipped Wands of the Metal Era
Wolfie Jinn (wo037)
 

Wands over time are often made of wood, but in the latter part of the 16th century a new 'style' of wand came to being. A metal tube such as silver or copper was fashioned with a charm to make it lightweight. At the wand's tip was placed a stone of magical quality. Over the centuries, mining of these stones was given to Muggles and bought in shops by the wizarding community. Stones such as emeralds and rubies didn't seem to give off the same high quality magic that the more semi-precious stones of quartz or lapis seemed to generate. The cores followed the same patterns as their wooden brethren.

When the 20th century rolled around, wands went back to a simpler standard. Shops and wand makers such as the famous Ollivander’s continued their brisk business of wooden wand making during the "Metal Era", but in the current century very few wand makers continue to make the metal wands. Notable exceptions are Sparkberg in Berlin and Akhmet's in Luxor, Egypt.

The following common metal wand combinations of the Metal Era can still be found worldwide. Many of them are popular in America.

It should be noted that though these wands are rare to be found, the stone tips often enhance the user's magical spells more than their more common wooden counterparts.
 

Quartz/gold with a core of veela hair - the quartz magnifies the properties of the veela hair, giving the wand's user a more amplified charm wand

Obsidian/bronze with a core of phoenix feather - the obsidian balanced with the phoenix feather gives the wand user a stronger defensive wand

Lapis lazuli/silver with a core of unicorn mane strand- this offensive wand is a popular item in medieval times as a glamour wand - lately wand charmers find it useful ffor those around the house charms.

Moonstone/silver with the core the webbing of an Acromantula - oddly enough this combination often ffinds its way to those with a leaning toward divinations - its unusual core seems to enhance the user's natural psychic ability

Azure/copper with a core of Snidget feather - another unusual and rare combination makes this wand very rare - it is known to enhance the offensive and defensive abilities, making it a highly prized wand for those becoming Aurors

Hematite/platinum with a core of Runespoor scale - this wand combination is commonly found with wizards and witches who are bent toward exploration, whether it be physically, psychically or scientifically. Many inventors find this wand to be in their possession
 
 

Chapter 3: Metal Wand Design
Craig Phillips (cr004)
 

The easiest and most common fashion of the metal wand is the Pipe wand. Copper or stainless steel pipe is cut to length and then crystals are mounted at the ends of the pipe. Variations of this sometimes have additional crystals inside the pipe wand. Some of the most ornate metal wands have platonic solids and other shapes and wire matrices bonded to the pipe or handle.
 
 

Chapter 4: Types of Metal Wands
 
 

AYESHA NITEHAWK (ay004)

Lead/Sapphire Wand combination is a favourite of the witches. It is known for drawing power from another wand, giving the user profound wisdom drawn from their  opponent, inspiring creative expression. Please note, that this applies only to the dark blue stone, other colours can be unpredictable when used.

Lithium/Black Opal Wand works especially well with a wizard who has the "inner-eye" as it enhances any psychic abilities. It attracts flashes of inspiration, psychic insights, and clairvoyance. The opal surrounds the user with an aura of mystery, intensity, and charisma, however, the lithium can produce instability and while this is a powerful wand, many who have the ability to use it choose not to.

Vanadium/Onyx Wand better known as the Vanox Wand, it is a favourite of wizards who are unsure of what they may encounter. It is flexible in application of spells, but the spells it produces may not be full power, making it a wand not be used in times of duress.

Mercury/Alexandrite Wand is used by the Healer Wizards to provide quick healing. It is excellent for tissue regeneration, especially Central Nervous System. It is also fairly easy to use, however, inexperienced wizard might inadvertently cure the wrong illness since it works so quickly. Some Healer Wizards prefer the Palladium/Alexandrite (Palalex Wand). While it doesn't heal as quickly, it is much easier to use and works on a larger variety of illnesses, including the Transylvania Foot Rot, a particular problem of Dragon hunters in Eastern Europe.

Thallium/Tourmaline Wand, better known as the powerful Double-T combination is a wand not for the faint of heart. Firstly, it is difficult to obtain the Thallium (muggles don't like handling it) and secondly, obtaining the clear stones can be problematic. While it enhances the users ability to communication with higher forces, it can easily turn those same forces against the user. It should be used with caution and care.
 
 

HERMIONE LUCKY (he086)

Copper and Vela hair: This is a very powerful and sometimes temperamental wand. It is heavily made, so some witches and wizards don't favour it. However, it can do wonders, and many of the great charms and spell inventors use this combination.
 
 

DAY BAYE (da029)

Europium/Moonstone with a core of Patronum blood.

This wand combination has, since it’s invention in 1902 (closely following the metal’s isolation in 1901 by Muggle Eugene Demarcay), been consistently the most costly wand in existence. Costing several hundred galleons, it is also one of the rarest wand types the following reasons...

Europium is a silvery white, unstable metal. It is very rare, comparatively new, and extremely expensive. The europium needed for a single wand has bankrupted several aspiring wand companies. Due to this problem, most wand manufacturers are extremely wary of having anything to do with europium.

Patronum blood, however, is harder to harvest than any metal. In fact, only one known wizard, Moritarius Millionorium, is able to harvest this strange substance. The blood of a Patronus is a mysterious substance, completely magical and created by wizards. Few scholars have been able to sort out the existence/nonexistence of the Patronus lucidly, and there are no books on the subject.

The owners of Europium/Moonstone/Patronum blood wands are, more often than not, born in June (there is a mystical connection between moonstone and the 6th month of the Gregorian calendar). Most of them are extremely volatile people, given to large mood swings and hot tempers. Furthermore, the wand owner generally has red hair. This wand-human correlation is probably generated by the unstability of europium. The fortunates or unfortuntes with Europium/Moonstone/Patronum blood wands are also fiercely protective of all things around them and tend to be animal rights activists. In days bygone they would probably have been knights (or lady knights) in shining armour.
 
 
 

KAT SHIELDS (ka132)

Hematite & Salt Extracts - used for centering, grounding, and reestabishing mental discipline as well as for purification and protection. Rather bendy.
 
 
 

Chapter 5: Crystal Wands
Craig Phillips (cr004)
 

If a wand is made of crystal or contains crystal then the intent of the wielder will be amplified and more focused then without it. Crystal increases your intent manifesting in your existence, so take care when focussing your intent particularly when holding a crystal wand.

Crystal wands are used primarily for healers and healing, although any contact with crystals whether intending to heal or not is a healing experience at some level. This can result in very tangible experiences such as tingling in the hands and arms. Other times the sensations can be so powerful that you think the top of your head is trying to unscrew itself and ascend without waiting for the rest of your body to catch up.
 
 

Chapter 6: Types of Crystal Wands
 
 
 

FALINE EKATERINA (fa060)

Quartz and unicorn blood (a * means a foot note)
This combination is often favoured by only the darkest of witches as unicorn quartz wands do tend to only choose females. Now unicorn blood is soooooo extremely rare to obtain (*1) because not many are willing to slay such an innocent creature for there is  not many of them in the world (*2) also there is a certain weakness so they are rather delicate and can not be used in a duel where wands may come in fierce contact with each other(*3) if this particular wand is the kind you own be ware for disastrous effects can happen if you break it (*4)if you do break it dont lick the blood off wash it off immediatlry and consult a mediwizard and do not touch and animals and people now onto the properties of uch wands these wands have excellent magical power in transfiguration and charms and curses well i close this in saying be careful with your wand and how you use it !!!

(* # 1) unlike its tail hair which can be pulled or found hanging on sacred trees which are than used as the wood for the tail hair that was found on the tree

(*#2) there are usually no more than three around at a time unless under certain circumstances

(*#3) a good book to read is A Guide to Wands in Dueling by Agreat Fiter and check the chapter on quartz wands and dueling

(*#4) Refference is in the book The Day my Wand Blew Up by Crystal Shards who goes on to explain how she suffered disastrous effects the unicorn blood from her busted quartz wand had on her
 
 

HERMIONE LUCKY (he086)

Jade and Unicorn Hair: One of the rarest wand variations ever. Merlin himself is rumoured to have used this wand at one time. It is medium in weight and never temperamental, simply obedient. It is very beautiful, so usually witches want one, when they see it. However the wand choses the wizard, and this one happens to only chose those with good hearts.
 

KAT SHIELDS (ka132)

Tigereye Quartz & Holly -great combination for transfiguration and concentration, gives good character judgement
 
 

Chapter 7: Modern Metal Wands
Fran Scorpio (fr029)
 

Thus far, we have not discussed wands made with two of the newest kinds of metal: steel and aluminium. These modern metals do not have the same mystic powers as  some of ancient ones. However, they have certain advantages not seen in the older metals. Both metals are strong, elastic and light-weight. They are excellent conductors of energy which is how magic is transmitted.

Steel and Phoenix Feather: This is an excellent wand to grow with. It is light-weight and compact enough for a young wizard or witch and still has the power and robustness to satisfy the needs of the more mature practitioner.

Aluminium and Phoenix Feather: These wands are more light-weight than their steel counterparts. They have the drawback of not being quite as impressive-looking so many witches and wizards do not favour them. However, this small drawback can be countered by the addition of a thin coating of crystal which gives the wand a translucent quality. On the plus site, the wand is faster acting than the steel variety.

Steel and Unicorn Hair: Combining the qualities of purity and strength, this wand would do justice to any auror. The steel provides the power and invulnerability while the unicorn hair focuses the energy on innocence, so important to anyone fighting evil.

Aluminium and Unicorn Hair: While the steel and unicorn hair above is suitable to an auror, the aluminium and unicorn hair is best suited for a child or teenaged witch or wizard. Aluminium, while light-weight and fast, is not as powerful as steel and is therefore not really recommended for such a formidable use as fighting dark wizards. However, the purity of the unicorn and the efficiency and clean energy found in aluminium make this wand an excellent choice for young people.
 

Steel and Dragon's Blood: One of the most powerful wands you can get, this one has the possible drawback of tending to overheat, especially during a duel. For that reason, they are usually insulated with a non-conducting material such as plastic at the handle so the user doesn't burn his/her hand. Dragon's blood is well-suited to use in magical battle, while the steel is a natural shield.

Aluminum and Dragon's Blood: This wand functions better in less serious confrontations, such as in sport or play. It is fast and adaptable but not as powerful as its steel counterpart and thus shouldn't be used for serious battles.

Titanium with dragon's tooth: A very powerful, fast and versatile wand that is suitable for many uses. It is found useful and compatible by many wizards who believed they would never use anything but wood.

Aluminium with dragon's tooth: Similar to the titanium above only more reasonably priced and not quite as powerful or as light weight. Very useful for underaged wizards still learning magic.

Steel with dragon's tooth: More powerful than the aluminium, especially in defensive spells. Not as lightweight or as fast as either the titanium or the aluminium varieties though. Good for every day use by a wizard who wants robustness and simplicity in one wand.

Steel With Spotted Duck Feathers: This wand is full of mysterious wonder and magic. It is especially recommended for someone who likes a lot of attention as the wand and the wizard using it will become the topic of much conversation. Steel casing is recommended because these feathers can draw negative energy from Dark Wizards who consider spotted ducks to be pests. With steel, the wizard will be able to withstand most magical attacks since it is a strong and protective metal.
 
 

Chapter 8: Metal or wood, wands have always had a place in wizarding society.
Wolfie Jinn (wo037)
 

 They have also had an impact on how the Muggle world views us. Wands have not always come as the hand held versions; staffs, swords, knives and other objects have also been used as a source of a wizard or witch’s magical ability. For instance, Merlin's staff, considered by some to be made of either yew or oak, may have had a core of more than a single item as our wands have today. It has, in fact, been suggested that items representing the four elements made up the staff's core. Items suggested as the core include water from various streams and lakes in key points in Britain, various metals to represent Earth that include platinum, silver, gold and other rare and mythical metals from, at the time, the far reaches of the Earth like China and India. In the air perspective, feathers always seem to be popular hypothesis, from the feathers of a pegasus to the extinct archaeoptryx. Fire has presented a problem for all but the most imaginative. Fire newts and other fiery creatures top the bill, as well as internal parts of various dragons, which goes along quite nicely with the Pendragon theme of Merlin's legends.

Staffs are not always found to be the main conduit of a wizard's power. Swords and knives also hold magical appeal, especially if they have some base metal other than steel that serves as a conduit. The Singing Sword of the British Isles is said to have been magical for its wielder, singing its intimidating tune only when held by witch or wizard in battle. Otherwise, it was a plain, everyday sword of no remarkable ability. Ancient Egypt and Macedonia told tales of knives and short swords handed down from the gods, made of metals so fine that it could only have come from the gods' world and gave Muggles the power of wizards. While this sounds fanciful, it is not entirely impossible. Many metals have been known to enhance a psychic ability and all Muggles have some small amount of magical ability that stems from our primordial roots.