The History of Crystals

Crystals have been used throughout the ages as talismans, amulets and adornment by many different civilisations in a multitude of ways.

The Ancient Sumerians where one of the first to reference the use of crystals within magic formulations.

The Ancient Egyptians used a number of different crystals and semi-precious stones in their jewellery such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, carnelian, emerald and clear quartz. Within the Ancient Egyptian culture these were used primarily for protection and health. The Egyptians also used crystals cosmetically as they ground down lead ore and used as kohl. The word crystal actually comes from the Greek word for ice.

The Ancient Greeks believed that clear quartz was water that had frozen so deeply that it would always remain in solid form. They also attributed a number of properties to crystals and many of the names that we use for crystals today are of Greek origin. Hematite was often crushed and placed on a soldier’s body as this was believed to make them invincible. The Romans used crystal talismans and amulets as they believed that they would enhance their health and enable them to attract desirable things.

The Chinese since ancient times have always valued Jade highly and have used crystals within their own healing and energy balancing therapies for example by using crystal tipped needles in acupuncture. The Aryuvedic practices in India also consider crystals as being valuable in the healing of emotional and metaphysical imbalances and conditions. Minerals, crystals, and gems have therefore been used for Millennia to enhance the emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing of people across many ancient civilisations.

Due to the advances in science and our greater understanding of frequency and vibration we now understand that all things are a form of energy. Each energy has its own frequency and vibration, including crystals. We have now begun to gain scientific evidence through the breakthroughs in quantum science and the concepts of electromagnetism that support what the ancients already knew that certain forms of energy can affect other forms of energy when the two are within the same space.

This is why crystal healing is now becoming more readily accepted in modern day society. Those who now practice Crystal Therapy believe that a crystal vibrates at its own frequency and that when it is placed within our own energy field it is able to connect to our own vibrational frequency and can stimulate biochemical responses that can affect our physical health in a positive manner.

Male and Female Crystals

Crystals can be male, female and even androgynous.

Male crystals should be recharged by the sun and female crystals by the moon.

Female crystals tend to be softer and smoother and more rounded whereas male crystals tend to be more rough, angular or phallic in shape. Male stones can give out a strong vibration and energy whereas female stones tend to emit a gentler and more subtle energy. Male crystals tend to transmit energy whereby female crystals tend to be more receptive to energy in nature. As male crystals project energy outwards they can be really useful for sending healing energy, projecting desires and wishes, aiding with confidence and self assurance and also helping with willpower and success. Examples of male crystals are:

Amber

Bloodstone

Carnelian

Citrine

Hematite

Quartz (clear)

Topaz

As female crystals are receptive in nature they can be really useful in relieving stress, aiding fertility, bringing forth love, aiding personal development, wisdom, understanding and intuition and in all areas of spirituality.

Examples of female crystals are:

Amethyst

Calcite (blue or pink)

Lapis Lazuli

Malachite

Moonstone

Celestine

Quartz (clear, rose, smoky)

Turquoise

As clear quartz can be both male and female when you choose a quartz feel the energy of the crystal and go with your intuition. This will help you to know whether the crystal is male or female.

The following is a guide as to the twenty most commonly used crystals that you may find that you use regularly.

With practice you will get familiar with crystals and that you will know intuitively which crystals to work with and when. .

Amber - Amber strictly speaking is not a crystal at all. It is the solidified and fossilised resin from a tree. It is one of the oldest substances to have been worn on the body and has been found in Northern European grave sites dating back from 8000 BC. Amber is believed to be a powerful healer and is said to promote tissue revitalisation and draw disease out from the body. It is also said to work well in cleaning the environment and cleansing the chakras. Colour - Golden brown or yellow.

Amethyst - Amethyst is believed to be an extremely powerful and protective stone. Amethyst is also extremely calming to the mind and can be used in meditation. It absorbs negativity and emits positivity using its gentle female energy. It can also be protective against low electromagnetic fields emitted by electrical equipment. It is said to be a very spiritual stone and it can help open you to your own intuition and psychic gifts. Colour - Purple to lavender.

Aventurine - Aventurine is a very positive stone of prosperity. It is also believed to protect well against environmental pollution and electromagnetic fields. It is also believed to bring balance and can help to stabilise an individuals mind and enhance their perception and creativity. Colour - Green(common), red, brown, peach.

Bloodstone - Bloodstone is a variety of quartz and as the name suggests it is believed to be an excellent blood cleanser and a powerful healer. It is also said to be an excellent grounding stone and a good protector. It is believed that it can also help you to act in the moment and adjust to unaccustomed circumstances. Colour - Red, green.

Blue Lace Agate - Blue Lace Agate is believed to be a wonderful healing stone and is the stone of peace and happiness. It is said to radiate calming, easing energies and to be able to neutralise negative energies. Colour - Pale blue with white or darker lines.

Carnelian - Carnelian is said to ground and anchor you into your present reality. It is also believed to promote positive life choices, dispel lethargy and quell anger, fear and hatred. Colour - Red, orange, pink, brown.

Calcite - Orange Calcite is said to be a powerful amplifier and cleanser of energy. It is believed to be able to cleanse a room of negative energies and heighten your energy whilst balancing the emotions. Colour - Orange

Citrine - Citrine is believed to be powerful regenerator and cleanser. It is said to be an energising stone and that it can absorb and dissipate negative energy. It is also one of the stones of abundance and is said to be able to manifest and attract wealth, prosperity and success Colour - Yellow to yellowish brown.

Fluorite - Fluorite is believed to be a highly protective stone and one that can have a stabilising effect on the mind and emotions. It is also said to be able to purify and cleanse and can open the mind to spiritual awareness. Colour - Clear, blue, purple, yellow, brown.

Hematite - Hematite is believed to be a great grounding and protecting stone and one which can harmonise mind, body and soul. It is also said to have a powerful connection with blood and that it can restore, strengthen and regulate the blood supply. Colour - Silver/black.

Lapis Lazuli - Lapis Lazuli is said to be able to strengthen the body and mind, protect against negativity and attract wisdom and truth. It is also believed to be able to help facilitate the release of stress and bring about deep peace. Colour - Deep blue flecked with gold

Malachite - Malachite is believed to be a powerful stone and one that needs to be handled with caution. It is said to be able to amplify both positive and negative energy. It is also believed to be an important protection stone. Colour - Green Moonstone -

Moonstone is supposed to be as the name suggests connected to the moon and also to the emotions and intuition. Moonstone is said to have a calming, passive female energy and has been traditionally used to enhance psychic ability. Colour - White, cream, iridescent

Clear Quartz - Clear Quartz is believed to be one of the most powerful healing and energy amplifier crystals on the planet. This is said to be because of its unique helical spiral crystalline form. It is said to be able to absorb, store, release and regulate energy and also to be able to unblock it. Colour - Clear

Rose Quartz is widely regarded as the love crystal and is believed to be the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace. It is said to be able to aid in the release of anger, resentment and other negative emotions. It is often used on the heart chakra to promote balance. Colour - Pink

Sodalite - Sodalite is believed to be able to unit logic with intuition and open up spiritual perception. It is believed to bring great clarity and wisdom and to be god at clearing electromagnetic energies. Colour - Blue

Tiger’s Eye - Tiger’s Eye is believed to be a protective stone and in ancient times was carried around as a talisman to ward off evil. It is said to combine the energies of the earth and sun to create a high vibrational state that is nevertheless grounding. Colour - Brown, yellow.

Tourmaline - Tourmaline is believed to cleanse, purify and transform dense energy into a lighter vibration. It has long been regarded as a protective stone and is said to form a protective shield around the body. It is also said to be capable of balancing all the chakras. Colour - Black (common).

20 most used Crystals (and their properties)