Since the dawn of civilization, humans have been fascinated by brilliant, shiny stones.
Archaeological excavations done around the world prove that we have collected them and used them for healing, protection, and manifestation.
Crystals are composed of minerals such as aluminum, calcium, carbon, zinc, and more. Aluminum, oxygen, and silicone are found in all gemstones. These three minerals form the outermost surface of our planet. Oxygen and silicon are found on nearly 75% of the Earth’s surface.
Crystals are also energy. We are ALL energy. It’s the basic building block of the universe!
Crystals are tools in your metaphysical toolbox to help you balance your energy centers (chakras) and promote healing. As the body heals, its natural vibration and resonance rises, attracting love, abundance, and success.
So here’s the science: crystals are solid symmetrical structures with regularly ordered atoms and molecules packed in repeating patterns. Similarities can be found between the structures of a crystal and our own DNA (dodecahedrons and icosahedrons).
We all consist of electromagnetic energy. When holding a crystal, your frequency interacts with the crystal, creating a type of Piezoelectric effect. The crystal vibrates and the energy it creates can be transmitted to your chakras and auras. Crystals exist in your watch, your cell phone, your TV, and your computer.
How Crystals Form
The healing properties of each crystal can be associated with the way in which it was formed. Most of the earth’s crystals were formed millions of years ago in one of the following ways.
Cooling and Solidification of Magma or Lava
Magma Crystallization: Many crystals form from the cooling and solidification of magma (molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface) or lava (molten rock that has erupted onto the surface). As magma cools slowly beneath the surface, mineral particles start to bond together, forming crystals. Slow cooling gives atoms more time to arrange themselves into well-defined structures, resulting in larger, more perfect crystals like quartz and feldspar.
Rapid Cooling at the Surface: When lava cools quickly on the Earth’s surface, crystals have less time to form, leading to smaller, finer crystals. For example, volcanic glass (obsidian) forms when lava cools so rapidly that crystals don’t have time to form at all, creating a smooth, glassy texture.
Evaporation of Mineral-Rich Water
Formation in Water-Rich Environments: Some crystals, such as halite (rock salt) and gypsum, form in areas where mineral-rich water slowly evaporates. As water evaporates, it leaves behind dissolved minerals that begin to crystallize. This process often happens in salty lakes, hot springs, or caves.
Cave Crystals: In caves, minerals dissolved in dripping water slowly build up into crystals like stalactites and stalagmites. This slow accumulation creates beautiful formations over thousands of years, resulting in clear, large crystals like selenite and calcite.
Metamorphic Crystallization Under Heat and Pressure
Transforming Existing Minerals: Crystals can also form or grow larger when existing minerals are exposed to high heat and pressure deep within the Earth’s crust. This process, known as metamorphism, causes atoms in minerals to rearrange and form new crystal structures.
Examples of Metamorphic Crystals: Garnet, for instance, is a common metamorphic crystal, forming when silicate minerals are subjected to intense pressure. This process can also create unique crystal structures and unusual color variations, as minerals merge and transform.
Hydrothermal Activity
Crystals in Mineral-Rich Hot Water: In some areas, hot water flows through cracks in the Earth’s crust, dissolving minerals from surrounding rocks. As the water cools or evaporates in these cracks or veins, minerals precipitate out and crystallize.
Crystals Created by Hydrothermal Activity: This process is responsible for the formation of crystals like amethyst, citrine, and fluorite. These hydrothermal crystals often have vibrant colors due to trace elements carried by the hot water.
The geopathic stress that is present as a crystal is formed also has an impact on its healing properties. You will find that the same type of crystal found in different areas with different geopathic stresses will hold different resonances.
Regardless of form, crystals have the ability to absorb, channel, focus, and emit energy.
Why Crystals Have Different Colors and Shapes
Mineral Impurities and Trace Elements
Different crystal colors arise when trace elements, such as iron, titanium, or manganese, become part of the crystal structure.
For example:
Amethyst: Contains trace amounts of iron, which, when exposed to natural radiation, creates its distinct purple color.
Rose Quartz: Its pink hue comes from trace amounts of titanium or manganese.
Citrine: Yellow citrine is formed when amethyst is heated naturally or artificially, altering its iron content.
Natural Radiation
Exposure to radiation from surrounding rocks can also change a crystal’s color over time. Smoky quartz, for example, gets its color from exposure to natural radiation in the Earth.
Crystal Shape and Internal Structure
Each crystal has a unique atomic arrangement, known as a lattice, that influences its external shape. Quartz crystals form a hexagonal shape because their atoms bond in a repeating six-sided pattern. Calcite often grows in a rhombohedral shape, while fluorite may form cubes.
Scientists classify crystals into different “crystal systems” based on their shapes and symmetries. Common systems include cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic. This classification helps explain why crystals come in specific shapes—for example, salt (halite) forms cubic crystals, while emerald (a type of beryl) forms hexagonal crystals.
Environmental Conditions During Formation
As we discussed in the stages of formation, different temperatures and pressures can affect both the size and shape of a crystal. Higher temperatures allow larger crystals to form, while lower pressures might result in smaller or less-defined crystals.
Space for Growth: Crystals that have ample space to grow, such as those found in underground cavities or geodes, can develop into large, well-formed shapes. In contrast, crystals that form in confined spaces tend to be smaller and less defined because they compete for room to expand.
Inclusions and Zoning
Some crystals contain “inclusions,” or small bits of other minerals, gas bubbles, or liquid that become trapped during growth. These inclusions can affect a crystal’s color and appearance, adding unique characteristics like stripes, spots, or even star-like effects (as seen in star sapphires).
Some crystals display bands or zones of color, which happen when the conditions during formation change slightly over time. For example, fluorite often shows layers of different colors due to variations in the minerals present during different stages of growth.
Brief history of crystals used by other cultures
Romans: Talismans and amulets were considered useful in enhancing health, attracting wealth, and providing protection in battle.
Ancient Egyptians: One of the biggest historical proponents of healing crystals, the Egyptians buried their dead with quartz placed upon the forehead. This was believed to help guide the departed safely into the afterlife. Pharaohs toted cylinders filled with quartz to balance the Ba and Ka energies of the body. Strongly associated with the Sky Goddess Isis, crushed Lapis Lazuli stones were worn by ladies of royalty—like Cleopatra—over the eyes to promote enlightenment and awareness. Dancers donned rubies in their navels to foster their sex appeal. Many wore crystals over the heart to attract love and placed crystal-laden crowns upon their heads to stimulate enlightenment and awaken the Third Eye.
Chinese medicine commonly incorporates the use of healing crystals, including crystal-tipped needles used in acupuncture and prana healing sessions. These traditions have been practiced for nearly 5,000 years.
Ancient Greeks: Crushed hematite was often rubbed on soldiers’ bodies prior to entering battle with the idea that it made them invincible. Interestingly, the word ‘crystal’ is thought to derive from the Greek word ‘krustullos’—meaning ‘ice’—and until the 1500s, many ancients believed stones like clear quartz crystals were eternal ice sent from the Heavens.
India: Ayurveda considers crystals valuable for healing emotional and metaphysical imbalances. The use of various crystals is documented in the Hindu Vedas, which also reference each stone’s specific healing abilities. Sapphires are thought to bring astuteness, clarity, and mental balance. Jasper is thought to bring harmony, sexual vitality, and balance of the base chakras.
In ancient Japan, Crystal quartz spheres were considered representative of the heart of a dragon and signified its power and wisdom.
The Bible contains 1,704 references to crystals. The Bible also mentions 23 specific gemstones, including 20 mineral and three biogenic gemstones like amber, coral, and pearls.