There is a significant difference between orgonite as Karl Hans Welz invented it and the countless variations sold today under the same name. This article explains Welz’s original orgonite formula — exactly what it contains, why each component was chosen, and how it differs from decorative imitations.
Who Was Karl Hans Welz?
Karl Hans Welz was an Austrian-American researcher who spent decades studying Wilhelm Reich’s work on orgone energy. In the early 1990s, Welz made two significant contributions to the field: he invented orgonite — a castable composite material for working with orgone energy — and the Chi Generator — an electronic device that actively produces life force energy.
Welz was the first person to demonstrate that mixing metal shavings with resin and crystal produced a material with properties different from its components individually. He published his findings and made the formula available freely, which led to its rapid spread through the alternative research community.
The Original Formula: Three Essential Components
Welz’s original orgonite formula requires exactly three components:
1. Metal shavings — the conductive element. Welz originally used steel wool shavings, though copper and aluminium became popular alternatives. The metal provides the matrix through which the resin contracts and interacts with the crystal.
2. Casting resin — the binding element. Welz used polyester resin, though epoxy works equally well. The critical function of the resin is its permanent contraction as it cures — this contraction creates sustained pressure on the quartz crystal.
3. Quartz crystal — the piezoelectric element. Welz specifically required quartz because of its well-documented piezoelectric properties. Under sustained mechanical pressure — created by the curing resin — quartz generates a continuous electrical charge. Welz believed this sustained piezoelectric activity was the mechanism driving orgonite’s conversion of DOR to OR.
What Is Not in the Original Formula
Welz’s original formula does not require additional crystals, pigments, sacred geometry inserts, copper coils, or any other additions. These are later additions by other makers — some of which have genuine material basis (black tourmaline, shungite) and some of which are purely aesthetic (glitter, pigments, dried flowers).
This does not mean additional components are wrong or ineffective — many experienced makers argue that certain additions enhance specific properties. But they are additions to the formula, not part of it.
The Ratio: Metal to Resin
Welz’s formula calls for approximately equal volumes of metal shavings and resin — roughly 50/50. This ratio ensures sufficient metal density for the matrix to function while allowing the resin to penetrate and bind the shavings completely. Pieces with too little metal are often visually attractive but functionally weak. Pieces with too much metal may not cure properly.
Official Welz Technology
For products made according to Welz’s original specifications and sold through the official Welz family, visit welz.cc — the official biographical and reference site for Karl Hans Welz’s work.