By: Nicole Chedraoui

The Basics 

I know what you all must be thinking after seeing the title of this article– How can a rock bring about healing? After all, crystals are just pretty stones aren’t they? Well, while it’s true that crystals are stones, each stone is actually composed of unique structures that impart their own energetic properties. These worshiped objects were commonly found in various holy texts and archeological sites. Most commonly, healers, holy people, and shamans have known about these properties for millennia, and, as a result, crystals have historically been used in spiritual and healing practices for centuries. 

Energy, Vibration, and Bringing about Change 

To give some context to those who may be skeptics (understandably so), I thought it could be insightful to provide you with a brief backstory on the “energy and vibrations” people speak of when referring to crystals. In 1905, Albert Einstein demonstrated the relationship between matter and energy in his special theory of relativity. Over a century later, Laurent Lellouch, a renown French Physicist, completed calculations verifying the important relationship on a subatomic level as it relates to crystals, which showed that mass can be converted into energy. The best real-world example of this I could give you would be nuclear energy, which is a direct conversion of matter into energy. As these geniuses have historically proved, locked within each object in the universe, lies a form of energy. In short, you and everything around you right now, contains energy. This is obviously true for living things, such as you and I, as well as inanimate matter, such as crystals. 

Something you may not know, is that all energetic objects actually do vibrate; however, this vibration is usually not detectable to our five senses. Nevertheless, science shows that the vibration exists and each object has its own unique vibrational impact. Vibration is important to the energy we admit to others, the way we relate to one another, and even who we are as a person. Have you ever heard the slang term “I don’t vibe with them,” this statement is more true than you may realize. As creatures of energy, we subconsciously are attracted to people, objects, and situations that vibrate at a frequency like our own. However our vibrations are subject to impact depending on the day– due to factors such as emotions, mood, what we put into our bodies, and how we care for ourselves. As humans, we are inconsistent and lightning quick in the face of change, so our vibrations tend to rise and fall. Lower vibrations tend to indicate uncomfortable or painful emotions and situations, while higher vibrational frequencies help us attract positivity into our lives. 

Unlike humans, crystals maintain a constant vibration, and because of their crystalline structure, most vibrate at relatively high levels. When we bring these crystals close to ourselves, we can use them to tune our own vibrations to a higher level, and, in doing so, focus our mind, elevate our mood, and bring about desired change. 

It’s important to note that using crystals doesn’t have to be difficult, you can place them under your pillow, keep some in your pocket during school and work, or even set them on a desk next to you while you study– there is no wrong way to reap the benefits of crystal healing. 

Cleansing and Charging Your Crystals 

Due to their abilities to absorb and emit energy, crystals hold on to energy patterns with objects they come into contact with. In short, this basically means that by the time your crystals are in your hands after purchase, they have been in many hands and places. This is why it is imperative that as a first-time crystal user, you cleanse your crystals. Cleansing methods include: 

Salt Water: Soak nonporous crystals such as quartz and amethyst– porous crystals should stay dry at all times. Mix warm water and salt and soak for up to an hour. Note that you should be using himalayan pink salt or sea salt for this task– not table salt. 

Smoke: Light a bundle of sage, lavender, or sweetgrass and blow out the flame. Hold the crystals in the steam of the smoke to cleanse. 

Quartz Clusters and Geodes: Large clusters or geodes made of quartz stone, such as amethyst or clear quartz, can serve as very effective cleansers when placed in close proximity to smaller crystals. 

Next step after cleansing comes charging. Charging crystals is imperative to put the energy back into your crystals so they can continue to vibrate at their highest frequency. Charging should commence after every cleansing. A charging idea could include leaving your crystals outside in the sunlight or moonlight for 6-12 hours. 

A Beginners Crystal Set 

Now that you know the basics of crystal healing, it’s time for me to give you what I believe to be the best crystal starter set for beginners. These are some basic crystals that every newcomer should purchase when starting their collection. 

Amethyst: This semi-precious gemstone should be (and usually is) the first crystal in every collectors collection. This beautiful purple stone enhances intuition, treats insomnia, promotes restful sleep, and eases anxieties and overactive minds. 

Green Aventurine: This bright green stone is known for its primary uses in increasing love (towards yourself and others), supporting prosperity and abundance, facilitating healing, and introducing friendship. 

Carnelian: This beautiful orangey-red stone is known for promoting feelings of safety and security, inspiring courage, amplifying energy, and promoting willpower and determination. 

Citrine: This yellow translucent beauty is known for fostering self-esteem, prompting joy and positivity, enhancing creativity, transforming negative energy into positive, and protecting against self-destructive tendencies. 

Lapis Lazuli: Lapis is a rich, blue-toned stone that is known as the stone of communication. Enhancing communication, increasing truth and integrity, and seeking wisdom are all a part of the benefits of Lapis. 

Malachite: Is a beautiful swirl of deep-toned greens that is known to aid in spiritual protection, overcoming phobias, encouraging risk taking, and boosting depressive moods. It is also my favorite stone for those keeping track.

Obsidian: This deep,black lustrous stone is known for its grounding abilities, as well as its ability to absorb negative energy, calm grief, and provide strength and energy in despair. 

Opal: (My second favorite stone) is a cloudy, soft, luminescent gemstone that offers brilliant flashes of color from every angle. This stone is known as the stone of creativity, providing limitless inspiration, along with sparks of spontaneity and wit. It’s even been said to help form connections of unconditional love. 

Rose Quartz: Last, but certainly not least, is, of course, Rose Quartz! Known as the stone of love, this stone is known to promote and strengthen all types of love. This stone, along with opal, are known to foster unconditional love and joy, strengthen hope, overcome despair, and instill calm and peacefulness. 

Stones For Specific Situations 

On top of the list I have already provided, I thought it could be helpful if I perhaps listed stones that are historically known to help assist and heal specific situations we as humans experience throughout our lives. 

When you need a remedy for………

Anger: Carnelian or Black Tourmaline 

Anxiety:Blue Lace Agate, Lapis Lazuli, or Black Tourmaline 

Setting Boundaries: Citrine, Rose Quartz 

Comfort: Selenite or Apache Tears 

Confidence: Moonstone or Hematite 

Confusion: Ametrine or Selenite 

Depression: Amber, clear quartz, or smoky quartz 

Fear: Black tourmaline or Red Spinel 

Obsession/Compulsion: Ametrine or Citrine 

I would like to point out that I am in no way suggesting crystal healing is a remedy that will cure all mental and physical illnesses; I simply just wanted to open up the door to some fascinating alternative options for those who may be dipping their finger into the pool of spirituality. If you’ve made it to the end of this article, I give you MAJOR props, many people would have entirely shut down the notion of magic rocks a long time ago. Crystal healing is a beautiful hobby to possess, even if you don’t believe in its validity, there is no denying the pure joy my fun colorful rocks bring me–and, at the end of the day, I think that’s all that truly matters.