Whether you are new to crystals or have been working with them for a while, I hope this beginners guide to crystals will help explain the difference between a rock and a crystal, how to care for them, cleanse and charge your crystals, as well as other ways to work with them.

Science Of The Difference between a mineral, a rock and a crystal

To form a crystal, the atoms, molecules and ions in the crystal’s structure are arranged in a highly ordered and consistent manner. This forms a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. Most inorganic solids are polycrystals such as rocks, metals, ceramics. These have not formed in a consistent or orderly manner and therefore are not crystals.

A mineral is a pure substance and has a definite shape and color. Rocks however contain a number of different minerals. The easiest way to picture this is with the rock Granite – it is formed with Quartz and Feldspar.

The best explanation I’ve have found is,  A crystal is a mineral with a regularly repeating molecular structure. Most crystals form inside the earth during a process called nucleation, in which intense heat and pressure cause their molecules to form a three-dimensional lattice structure. This geometric arrangement forces the crystal’s molecules to take on the most stable form possible by repeating this pattern until the crystal is fully formed.

Other factors come into play, such as:

• Intense heat followed by rapid cooling, as you would expect from a volcano, will produce crystals such as Obsidian and Jasper.
• Intense heat followed by a slow cooling process will produce crystals such as Rose Quartz.
• Meteorites impacting the earth with enormous force have in the past produced Moldavite and Tektite
• Evaporated ocean water that collects silica from Sandstone will form Opals
• Organic material such as tree resin and wood will form Amber and Petrified Wood. 
• Minerals and irradiation will have an impact on the color of the actual crystal.

Quartz for example:

• • Clear Quartz  does not have any color and is transparent
  • Amethyst is formed when there is Manganese and Iron present in the Quartz
  • Rose Quartz is formed when impurities are present such as Titanium and Manganese
  • Smokey Quartz gets its color from natural irradiation
  • Citrine gets it’s color from lots of Iron

Starting Your Crystal Collection

Choosing Crystals

There are several ways to choose your crystals. The most intuitive way is when you are drawn to a particular crystal, either from holding it or from looking at it. If a crystal stands out to you, almost as if it is calling you, then it is one that you may need. 

Dreaming of crystals is another intuitive way of finding a crystal that you need right now. If you are lucky enough to dream of crystals then you should take notice!

You can also use crystal books to look up the healing properties of crystals and choose a particular crystal that way.

You don’t need to choose the biggest and most expensive of crystals, the smallest tumble stone may have the right connection with you – trust your intuition.

If you intend to use your crystals for crystal healing then we would recommend that you look for crystals that have not been dyed or have not in anyway been treated. For example many pieces of Agate have been dyed different colors such as blue or pink and Citrine is often heat treated. We prefer natural Citrine over heat treated. 

Adding New Crystals To Your Collection

All crystals have their own individual energy.  It is recommended that you cleanse all your new crystals and then add them to your collection. You should ask for the old energy to be released and set the intention of your ownership.  Example: “I ask you to release any previous thoughts, feelings, dedications or intentions from anyone that has ever held you before, or owned you before, and that you send these back to the owner with love. I ask that you now work with me for the highest good to bring love, light and happiness into my life”.

Cleansing Your Crystals

Crystals should be cleansed when they are first brought home, after they have been worn or after being used for energy healing. This is to remove any lower frequency energy or negative energy. Citrine and Kyanite are the only crystals that don’t need cleansing however, personally, I still like to pop them on a piece of Selenite or Satin Spar after they have been used for a while.

Whilst cleansing your crystals its recommended you sent the intention and transmute the lower frequency energy or negativity into positive energy again. You do this by  visualizing the energy being released from your crystal. See it surrounded by bright white light. See this white light shine brighter, and watch it dissolve the negativity released from your stone. See the negativity completely dissipate, leaving nothing in your space.

There are several ways to cleanse your crystals, choose one that feels right to you:

Cleansing crystals with water

You can hold your crystals under running water. You can do this by holding it under running tap water. You can also bring them into nature and use the natural water of a river or ocean. Whilst this may be a convenient way to cleanse your crystals you need to ensure you don’t use this method with certain crystals such as Selenite, Turquoise and Kyanite, to name a few.

Cleansing crystals in the ground

Crystals can be placed in soil for 24 hours to remove any negative energy. Its a nice way to cleanse crystals as you are returning them to the earth.

Cleansing crystals with sound

You can use singing bowls or bells to cleanse your crystals. Do this for at least a minute by playing the instrument near or above your crystals. Do not however place your crystals inside the singing bowl as the sound vibrations could damage the crystals.

Cleansing crystals with smudge sticks

Smudging can be used to cleanse your crystals just like you do your home. If you choose to smudge make sure you take all precautions and use a fireproof container (such as an Abalone shell) beneath the smudge stick to collect any ash or embers. The most popular smudge sticks are white sage or palo santo.

Crystals That Should Avoid Water

• Apatite
• Aragonite
• Calcite
• Chrysoprase
• Chrysocolla
• Cinnabar
• Desert Rose
• Fluorite
• Himalayan Salt
• Kyanite
• Labradorite
• Larimar
• Lepidolite
• Malachite
• Moldavite
• Moonstone
• Peridot
• Pyrite
• Satin Spar
• Selenite
• Stibnite
• Tanzanite
• Tiger’s Eye
• Tourmaline
• Turquoise

This is not a comprehensive list of all the crystals that should avoid water. If in doubt, avoid water altogether.

Charging Your Crystals

Crystals love to be recharged under the light of a full moon. It doesn’t matter if there are clouds in the sky and you can’t see the moon, the crystals will still benefit from the full moon’s energy. If you think it might rain, place any crystals that should avoid water inside on a windowsill. Leave crystals in moon light over night. Sunlight can also be used to recharge your crystals however some crystals such as Amethyst may fade in the sun. Charge crystals in sunlight for 30 minutes.

Charge Crystals With Other Crystals

Some crystals have the ability to charge and amplify the energy of other stones. Selenite and Clear Quartz are two of my favorites for cleansing and charging other stones. You can find these common stones at just about any crystal shop.

Selenite is often cut and shaped to create charging plates or bowls. If you have one of these handy, you can place your rocks on top of the charge plate or in your bowl. Clear Quartz varieties of these tools are less common.

If you’re working with individual stones of Clear Quartz or Selenite, you can place them around the stone(s) you want to charge, usually in a circular shape. This will create a simple crystal grid that will give your rocks some juice! You can leave them for a few hours or as long as you’d like.

Amethyst Geodes, Satin Spar logs and Selenite slabs are convenient ways to charge your crystals. The charging crystal needs to be bigger than the piece you want to charge. Leave them on the larger crystal for 24 hours.

If you have a large crystal cluster (particularly quartz, selenite, or amethyst), you can charge that, then place smaller crystals (like tumbled stones or jewelry) on it to absorb the cluster’s energy and recharge.  Then you have to cleanse and recharge your cluster.

Some crystals are not recommended to be placed in sunlight as they may fade or become brittle.

Crystals That Should Avoid Sunlight

• Amethyst
• Ametrine
• Apatite
• Aquamarine
• Aventurine
• Beryl
• Calcite
• Celestite
• Chrysoprase
• Citrine
• Fluorite
• Kunzite
• Opal
• Rose Quartz
• Sapphire
• Smokey Quartz
• Topaz

We recommend you double check individual crystals to see whether they are suitable for sunlight or not.

Activating and Dedicating Your Crystals

Setting intentions on how you would like your crystals to work with you is very important, they all need direction on how you would like them to work with you. To do this, close your eyes and hold the cleansed crystal in your hands whilst saying out loud what your dedication is, eg you would like to attract love into your life, find a new job or even relieve a headache.

Feel The Energy From Your Crystals 

When sensing the energy from your crystals you want to make sure you use the correct hand. You have a sending and receiving hand. You may ask what is a sending or receiving hand! Your sending hand is for sending energy and your receiving hand is for receiving energy. If you are right handed then your receiving hand is your left hand and your sending hand is your right hand. For lefties, your receiving hand is your right hand and your sending hand is your left. You will also sense energy stronger in your dominant hand.

Pick up your chosen crystal and place it in the palm of your receiving hand. Focus on this crystal for a moment with your eyes closed. You may choose to meditate with it. After a while you may start to feel a tingling sensation … this is the energy of the crystal, that you are feeling, you have now made a connection. If you don’t feel this connection straight away don’t worry, it can take practice. It will be easier for energy workers and people who are naturally sensitive to energy. But anyone can do it, it just takes practice so stick with it.

If  You Break Your Crystal? 

If your crystal breaks it can mean one of 2 things… First is that you could just be clumsy or it was a accident. forgetting crystals are in my pockets, then hearing a loud clunk and on the floor are several broken pieces). Second, it could be that the crystal has done its job and you no longer need it. Either way there are nice uses for them. You could gift one half to another person or, add them to your potted plants (plants love crystals), use them in a zen garden decoration. Get creative, there are endless uses for them.

Mohs Scale Of Hardness

Mohs’ hardness is a term meaning ‘scratch hardness’ which was introduced by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in 1812. Mohs created a system whereby minerals were tested to their hardness with a pointed object, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Gold has a Mohs’ hardness of 2½ to 3, which makes it quite soft and easily scratched. In comparison, Diamonds are rated as a 10. 

Crystals and Your Chakras

Chakras or spirals of coiled life-force energy (or prana) found throughout the body, are in the Vedic tradition thought to be associated with various physiological functions, as well as mental and emotional states and different levels of consciousness. When we talk about the chakra system, we are generally referring to the seven primary chakras, which are loosely mapped along the spinal column, although there are 100 minor chakras like on your palms, soles of the feet and knees.

Prana flows along channels called nadis from the base chakra, which sits near the tailbone, all the way up to the crown of the head, and depending on how the energy moves through each chakra—whether it is free-flowing and balanced, resistant, or blocked—our health and wellbeing are affected.

 

Chakra 1 – Root or Base (base of spine) Color: Red or Auburn Crystals: The best crystals to work with at this level are heavy, strong, dark, and protective. Dark red, brown, or black stones are the best choices as they offer the best protection and help ground. Smoky Quartz, Obsidian, Bloodstone, Black Tourmaline 

Chakra 2 – Sacral (lower abdomen) Color:  Orange or Silver Crystals: In general, vibrant orange stones will be great choices to boost creativity and passion and encourage alignment in the sacral area, though carnelian is often thought of as the go-to!  Carnelian, Sunstone, Orange Jasper, Orange Calcite

Chakra 3 – Solar Plexus (upper abdomen) Color: Yellow Crystals: Yellow power stones such as tiger’s eye can be great helpers in encouraging confidence and courage, and pyrite is a go-to crystal for a boost of strong, assertive energy. Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Pyrite, Yellow Jasper

Chakra 4 – Heart (center of chest above the heart) Colors: Green or Pink Crystals: Many green and pink stones vibrates with this chakra’s color frequency and can also ward against negativity and heaviness. Rose Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Malachite

Chakra 5 – Throat (throat) Colors:  Sky or Light Blue Crystals:  Blue stones and crystals match the vibrational frequency of the throat, facilitate clear and concise communication, and help us build relationships on truth and understanding. Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Blue Kyanite, Amazonite

Chakra 6 – Brow or Third Eye (forehead between eyebrows)Colors: Indigo or Purple Crystals: Working with dark blue/indigo stones such as lapis lazuli or the peaceful amethyst in our seated practices is a great way to get our thoughts and impressions back into alignment. Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite, Lepidolite

Chakra 7 – Crown (top of the head) Colors: Violet, Light Pink White or Gold Crystals: The highest vibration stones, superchargers such as clear quartz and selenite, are the best choices for amping up crown energy, warding off negativity, and helping us to feel more positively engaged with life. Celestite, Selenite, Clear Quartz, Moonstone

Whether you’re looking to kick up some stronger, supportive energy at certain chakra points or to create more balance in these areas, incorporating crystals into your meditation, yoga practice, or daily routine may help you to bring about shifts where and when you need them most.

If you are new to chakras take our chakra test and Chakra Meditation page. 

How To Use Crystals For Chakras

Before working with any crystal, cleanse it, then hold it close and set your intention by getting clear on what you would like the stone to help you with.

If you practice chakra balancing meditation, place the crystal directly upon your body at the chakra point you are working with (low back, sacrum or low pelvic region, abdomen, heart, base of the throat, between the eyebrows, the top of the head) while you mindfully tune in to the energy. 

Take our chakra test to find out which chakra needs extra work. Keep your chosen stones close to you as you work or rest, and place a large clear quartz near it to help amplify its energy further.

Carry your crystal in your pocket (especially helpful for the lower three chakras, as the stone will rest close to their energy points), or wear it tucked into your bra or shirt pocket (heart), as a pendant (heart or throat), or tucked into a hat (third eye, crown).

Whichever way you choose to use your stones, know that—at the very least—they will help you become mindful around what you are trying to heal, so you can make better choices, think different thoughts, and know that you are always an active participant in the direction of your own life.