A survey conducted in the United States in 2018 found that 14% of respondents reported using crystals for healing or spiritual purposes. Another survey conducted in the United Kingdom in 2020 found that 28% of respondents had purchased or used crystals for their perceived healing properties.
The global market for healing crystals has also seen significant growth in recent years. In 2018, the market was valued at approximately $1.2 billion, and it is projected to reach $2.2 billion by 2026. The market growth can be attributed to the increasing popularity of alternative and holistic therapies, as well as the growing interest in spirituality and wellness.
Why use healing crystals?
Healing crystals are used for a variety of reasons, and their benefits can vary depending on the individual using them and the specific crystals being used. Some people believe that crystals have healing energies that can help balance the body, mind, and spirit, as well as provide emotional and spiritual support. Here are some common reasons why people use healing crystals:
Emotional support: Some crystals are believed to help with emotional healing and can provide support during difficult times. They can help to release negative emotions, promote feelings of peace and calm, and increase self-love and acceptance.
Spiritual growth: Many crystals are believed to help with spiritual growth and can assist with meditation and mindfulness practices. They can help to open the third eye and crown chakras, and connect individuals with their higher selves and the universe.
Physical healing: Certain crystals are believed to have healing properties that can help to alleviate physical ailments and promote overall health and wellness. For example, amethyst is often used to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, while black tourmaline is believed to help with pain relief and provide protection against negative energy.
Manifestation: Some crystals are believed to help with manifestation and can assist individuals in attracting abundance, success, and positive energy into their lives.
The science behind crystals
The scientific basis behind the healing properties of crystals is not yet fully understood and remains a topic of debate within the scientific community. While there are some studies that have investigated the properties of crystals, the results are often inconclusive or conflicting.
One theory is that crystals have piezoelectric properties, meaning that they can generate an electric charge when pressure is applied to them. This property has been observed in certain crystals such as quartz, and it is believed that the electrical charge may have some effect on the body’s electromagnetic field. Some proponents of crystal healing believe that this electromagnetic energy can help to balance the body’s energy and promote healing.
Another theory is that crystals may work through the placebo effect, where the belief in their healing properties can lead to real improvements in health and well-being. The placebo effect has been well-documented in medical research, and it is possible that the use of crystals may work in a similar way.
How can healing crystals help you?
Healing crystals are believed to have a variety of benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. While the specific effects of each crystal can vary depending on the type of crystal and the individual using it, here are some common ways in which healing crystals can help:
Promote relaxation and reduce stress: Many crystals are believed to have a calming effect on the mind and body, and can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Crystals such as amethyst, rose quartz, and blue lace agate are often used for this purpose.
Provide emotional support: Certain crystals are believed to have the ability to support emotional healing and can help to release negative emotions, promote feelings of peace and calm, and increase self-love and acceptance. Crystals such as rose quartz, citrine, and black tourmaline are often used for this purpose.
Enhance spiritual growth: Many crystals are believed to have spiritual properties that can help individuals connect with their higher selves and the universe. Crystals such as clear quartz, amethyst, and selenite are often used for meditation and spiritual practices.
Promote physical healing: Certain crystals are believed to have healing properties that can help to alleviate physical ailments and promote overall health and wellness. Crystals such as black tourmaline, clear quartz, and amethyst are often used for this purpose.
Boost energy and vitality: Some crystals are believed to help increase energy levels and promote feelings of vitality and strength. Crystals such as citrine, carnelian, and red jasper are often used for this purpose.
Healing crystals for health
There are many healing crystals that are believed to promote physical health and wellness. Here are some examples:
- Clear quartz: This crystal is often referred to as the “master healer” and is believed to have a wide range of healing properties. It is thought to help with pain relief, immune system support, and overall wellness.
- Amethyst: This crystal is known for its ability to promote relaxation and stress relief, which can have a positive impact on overall health. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help with issues such as headaches and insomnia.
- Black tourmaline: This crystal is often used for grounding and protection, and is believed to help with issues such as chronic fatigue, immune system support, and adrenal gland health.
- Citrine: This crystal is believed to have a positive impact on the digestive system and metabolism. It is also thought to help with issues such as low energy levels, depression, and anxiety.
- Rose quartz: This crystal is often used for emotional healing and support, but it is also believed to have physical healing properties. It is thought to help with issues such as heart health, circulation, and respiratory health.
- Hematite: This crystal is often used for grounding and protection, and is believed to help with issues such as chronic pain, inflammation, and blood disorders.
- Selenite: This crystal is often used for energy cleansing and purification, and is believed to help with issues such as muscle and joint pain, headaches, and immune system support.
Healing crystals for wealth
While there is no guarantee that using healing crystals will bring you financial success, there are some crystals that are believed to promote abundance and prosperity. Here are some examples:
- Citrine: This crystal is often associated with wealth and abundance, and is believed to promote success in business and financial endeavors. It is thought to attract prosperity and abundance, and may also help with manifestation and goal-setting.
- Pyrite: Also known as “fool’s gold,” pyrite is believed to be a powerful stone for manifesting wealth and abundance. It is thought to attract success and prosperity, and may also help with decision-making and taking action towards achieving financial goals.
- Green aventurine: This crystal is often associated with luck and prosperity, and is believed to help with financial issues such as increasing income and attracting new opportunities. It may also help with decision-making and taking action towards achieving financial goals.
- Clear quartz: This crystal is often referred to as the “master healer” and is believed to have a wide range of healing properties, including the ability to amplify the energy of other crystals. It can be used in combination with other crystals for abundance and prosperity, and may also help with manifestation and goal-setting.
- Jade: This crystal is often associated with wealth and prosperity, and is believed to attract abundance and good fortune. It may also help with decision-making and taking action towards achieving financial goals.
Healing crystals for love
Healing crystals are believed to help with matters of the heart and can be used to promote self-love, compassion, and healthy relationships. Here are some crystals that are commonly associated with love:
- Rose quartz: This crystal is often referred to as the “stone of love” and is believed to promote feelings of unconditional love, compassion, and emotional healing. It can be used to attract love into your life, strengthen existing relationships, and promote self-love and self-care.
- Rhodonite: This crystal is often used for emotional healing and is believed to help with issues such as forgiveness, compassion, and self-love. It can be used to heal past wounds and promote healthy relationships.
- Green aventurine: This crystal is often associated with the heart chakra and is believed to promote emotional healing, compassion, and empathy. It can be used to attract love and promote healthy relationships.
- Amethyst: This crystal is known for its ability to promote relaxation and stress relief, which can have a positive impact on relationships. It is also believed to promote emotional healing and spiritual growth, which can help with issues such as trust and communication in relationships.
- Garnet: This crystal is often used to promote passion and sensuality, and is believed to help with issues such as intimacy, sexual dysfunction, and self-esteem.
Here is a list of some commonly used healing crystals and their associated properties:
Amethyst – relaxation, stress relief, emotional healing, spiritual growth, insomnia
Clear Quartz – healing, energy amplification, clarity, spiritual growth, chakra balancing
Rose Quartz – emotional healing, self-love, compassion, forgiveness, relationships
Black Tourmaline – grounding, protection, energy absorption, anxiety relief, negative energy removal
Citrine – abundance, prosperity, energy, confidence, creativity
Hematite – grounding, stress relief, circulation, pain relief, emotional balance
Selenite – purification, spiritual growth, energy cleansing, mental clarity, intuition
Lapis Lazuli – communication, truth, wisdom, intuition, spiritual awareness
Fluorite – mental clarity, focus, concentration, decision-making, emotional balance
Carnelian – creativity, motivation, energy, confidence, courage
Malachite – transformation, emotional healing, protection, intuition, abundance
Jade – balance, harmony, luck, prosperity, emotional healing
Turquoise – communication, emotional healing, protection, intuition, balance
Pyrite – manifestation, abundance, vitality, protection, confidence
Aventurine – prosperity, abundance, creativity, motivation, emotional healing
Black Onyx – protection, grounding, emotional balance, self-control, strength
Rhodonite – emotional healing, forgiveness, compassion, love, self-esteem
Amazonite – emotional healing, communication, balance, courage, self-awareness
Celestite – peace, tranquility, communication, spiritual growth, intuition
Moonstone – intuition, emotional healing, spiritual growth, balance, harmony
Smoky Quartz – grounding, protection, stress relief, emotional healing, manifestation
Labradorite – intuition, spiritual growth, protection, transformation, balance
Aquamarine – emotional healing, communication, courage, stress relief, balance
Sunstone – vitality, joy, creativity, confidence, self-esteem
Peridot – healing, abundance, prosperity, protection, emotional balance
Tiger’s Eye – protection, courage, confidence, grounding, manifestation
Red Jasper – grounding, protection, emotional healing, physical energy, courage
Shungite – purification, energy cleansing, EMF protection, stress relief, grounding
Ruby – vitality, passion, motivation, abundance, emotional healing
Garnet – love, passion, creativity, manifestation, emotional healing
Blue Lace Agate – communication, emotional healing, stress relief, tranquility, clarity
Angelite – spiritual growth, communication with angels, emotional healing, peace, tranquility
Howlite – emotional healing, stress relief, relaxation, patience, calming
Chrysocolla – emotional healing, communication, creativity, inner strength, peace
There are many more crystals with various healing properties beyond this list, but these are some commonly used ones. Remember that crystal healing is complementary to medical treatment, not a substitute for it. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have any medical concerns.
How to select your crystal?
Selecting a crystal is a personal process, and there are a few different methods you can use to choose the right crystal for you. Here are some tips to help you select your crystal:
Intuition: One of the most common ways to choose a crystal is to use your intuition. Spend some time looking at different crystals and see which one you are drawn to. You may feel a physical sensation, such as warmth or tingling, or you may just have a feeling that a particular crystal is the right one for you.
Intention: Another way to choose a crystal is to set an intention for what you want the crystal to help you with, such as emotional healing or attracting abundance. Look for crystals that are associated with your intention, such as rose quartz for love or citrine for prosperity.
Chakra alignment: If you are familiar with the chakras, you can choose a crystal based on which chakra you want to balance or activate. For example, if you want to balance your heart chakra, you may choose a rose quartz or green aventurine.
Astrology: Some people choose crystals based on their astrological sign or birth chart. There are certain crystals that are associated with each zodiac sign, such as amethyst for Pisces or garnet for Capricorn.
Research: Finally, you can do some research on the properties and meanings of different crystals and choose one that resonates with you based on what you want to work on or achieve.
How to care for your crystal?
Caring for your crystals is important to keep them energetically charged and in good condition. Here are some tips on how to care for your crystals:
- Cleansing: Cleansing your crystals is important to remove any negative energy that they may have absorbed. You can cleanse your crystals by holding them under running water, smudging them with sage or palo santo, placing them in the sunlight or moonlight for a few hours, or burying them in the earth for a few days.
- Charging: Once your crystals are cleansed, you can charge them with your intention or by placing them in the sunlight or moonlight for a few hours.
- Programming: Programming your crystal is a way to set your intention for what you want the crystal to help you with. Hold your crystal in your hands and focus your intention on it, visualizing the crystal absorbing that energy.
- Storage: When you’re not using your crystals, it’s important to store them in a safe and clean place, such as a velvet or silk bag. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or near electronic devices, as this can affect their energy.
- Handling: When handling your crystals, be gentle and respectful. Avoid dropping or hitting them against hard surfaces, as this can cause them to chip or break.
By taking care of your crystals, you can maintain their energy and ensure that they continue to provide you with their healing benefits.
Mohs Hardness Scale
The Mohs hardness scale is a system used to rank the relative hardness of minerals. It was developed by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in 1812 and is still widely used today. The scale consists of ten minerals, each assigned a number from 1 to 10 based on their scratch resistance. The higher the number, the harder the mineral. Here is the list of minerals on the Mohs hardness scale:
- Talc
- Gypsum
- Calcite
- Fluorite
- Apatite
- Orthoclase feldspar
- Quartz
- Topaz
- Corundum
- Diamond
Talc is the softest mineral on the scale with a hardness of 1, while diamond is the hardest with a hardness of 10. This means that any mineral with a higher number can scratch any mineral with a lower number, but not the other way around. For example, a piece of quartz (hardness 7) can scratch apatite (hardness 5) but not corundum (hardness 9). The Mohs scale is widely used in geology, mineralogy, and materials science to determine the hardness of minerals and materials.
Crystal Accessories
Crystal accessories are items that are designed to enhance the use and display of healing crystals. Here are some common crystal accessories:
Crystal grid: A crystal grid is a layout of crystals arranged in a specific pattern to enhance their energy and manifest specific intentions.
Crystal jewelry: Crystal jewelry is a popular way to wear healing crystals and keep them close to the body. This can include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
Crystal wands: Crystal wands are long, cylindrical crystals that can be used for healing, meditation, and energy work. They are often used to direct the energy of the crystal.
Crystal clusters: A crystal cluster is a group of crystals growing together in a cluster formation. They are often used for healing and energy work, and can also be used for decor.
Crystal spheres: A crystal sphere is a smooth, round crystal that is believed to radiate energy in all directions. They are often used for meditation and energy work.
Crystal points: Crystal points are long, tapered crystals that are often used to direct energy or as a wand for healing.
Crystal candles: Crystal candles are candles that are infused with crystals or have crystals embedded in them. They are believed to enhance the energy of the crystal and promote relaxation.
Crystal grids cloth: Crystal grid cloths are specially designed cloths with a specific pattern that can be used to create crystal grids.
Crystal accessories can enhance the energy and beauty of healing crystals, making them a popular choice for both personal use and decor.
Where to buy crystals?
There are many places where you can buy crystals, both online and in-person. Here are some options:
Metaphysical and crystal shops: Many cities have specialty shops that sell crystals, gemstones, and other spiritual and metaphysical items. These shops often have knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the right crystals for your needs.
Online retailers: There are many online retailers that specialize in selling crystals and gemstones. Some popular options include Crystal Allies, Energy Muse, and Healing Crystals.
Etsy: Etsy is an online marketplace where individuals and small businesses can sell handmade and vintage items, including crystals and gemstones. You can find a wide variety of unique and one-of-a-kind pieces on Etsy.
Mineral and gem shows: Mineral and gem shows are events where vendors from around the world come together to sell their crystals and gemstones. These shows can be a great place to find rare and unique specimens.
Museums and gift shops: Some museums and gift shops sell crystals and gemstones as souvenirs. While these options may not have as wide of a selection as specialized stores, they can still be a good option if you are looking for a specific type of crystal.
When buying crystals, it’s important to do your research and make sure you are purchasing from a reputable source. Look for sellers who provide information about the source and quality of their crystals, and be wary of sellers who make unrealistic claims about the healing properties of their products.