A kohlen crystal was a specific type of crystal that, as far as is known, could only be located on Pijal's moon. The crystal's structure bore a striking resemblance to the kyber crystals utilized in the construction of lightsabers, although the fundamental properties of the two crystal types differed considerably. These kohlen crystals were exceedingly scarce, even more so than genuine kyber crystals.
Pax Maripher came across a deposit of these crystals on Pijal's moon and mistakenly thought they were kyber crystals. He devised a scheme with his colleague, Rahara Wick, to mine these crystals, hoping to make a substantial profit by claiming to have discovered a large, previously unknown cache of kyber crystals that could be used by the Jedi Order to power their lightsabers. Maripher and Wick were greatly disappointed to find that, while the crystals appeared identical to kyber at a macroscopic level, they were fundamentally different when viewed under a microscope. This disparity led Maripher to later dub them "fool's kyber." According to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, these crystals also had a similar weight to kyber and even resonated with the Force.
While on a mission to investigate terrorist activities on Pijal and its moon, Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, encountered Maripher and Wick with these crystals. Their investigation further revealed that a group known as the blackguards had been using the crystals to create a crystal shield, a type of personal energy shield that was impervious to lightsabers. However, they later discovered that a lightsaber powered by a kohlen crystal could generate an unusual, low-powered orange blade capable of penetrating these shields. Meanwhile, Maripher, realizing he couldn't profit by selling the crystals to the Jedi, sold a quantity of them to Meritt Col, a Sector Supervisor within the Czerka Corporation, for a sum large enough to upgrade their personal freighter, the Meryx, and enjoy a lengthy vacation.
Notably, these crystals were referenced in an ancient prophecy by a Jedi mystic, which stated: "When the kyber which is not kyber shines forth, the time of prophecy will be at hand." Though the Jedi generally disregarded such prophecies, Jinn had always been intrigued by them, viewing them primarily as metaphors. However, this prophecy, coupled with a vision he received through the Force, led him to believe in the prophecies literally once more.