Crystal Descriptions
COMMON CRYSTAL SHAPES
ANGELS: Increase connection to angelic beings and guidance. Placing this shape of crystal in your space helps to attract angelic beings to you.
BARS: Flat, shaped crystals that resemble a small rectangular shape with flat ends. Bars are helpful for laying on the skin or carrying in a pocket, due to their flat shape.
CABOCHONS: Flat, polished crystals that come in a variety of shapes and generally with rounded points. Cabochons are ideal for laying on the body for healing. If needed, they can be secured in place with medical tape.
CHIPS: Rough, unpolished smaller chunks of crystals that have not been polished or altered. Chips are great for charging water, placing in a garden or outdoors, or placing around the house to energize your space.
CLUSTERS: A grouping of several crystals attached together. Place other crystals on top of a cluster to clear the energy and recharge them.
CHUNKS: Rough, unpolished crystals useful for any type of healing. May have points or sharp edges, so may not be the best shape to carry in your pocket.
COINS: Flat, rounded shapes useful for carrying in your pocket, placing in a grid, or laying on the body for healing.
CUBES: Grounding energy in addition to the crystal’s other characteristics. Cubes are especially good for holding intentions due to their shape; try placing a crystal cube in the center of a grid. You can also set another crystal on top of the flat surface.
DODECAHEDRONS: Sacred Geometry shape representing Ether, or Spirit. This shape is useful for working with this element and also during meditation.
DOUBLE TERMINATED POINTS: Long crystals with points at both ends. The points may be natural or artificially created. These crystals direct energy in two different directions at the same time. Place a DT crystal along the spinal column to align the energetic flow in the body from Crown to Root Chakra and back.
EGGS: Energy is focused through the smaller rounded end. Useful for directing energy in reflexology and a comfortable shape to hold in the hand.
ELESTIALS: Multi-layered crystals with many terminations. Elestial crystals facilitate balance and removing blockages in the energy field.
GALLETS: Extra-large tumbled stones ideal for holding in your hand during meditation or placing around your space.
GEODES: A bed of crystal points on a base that may be rounded like a cave. Laying other crystals on a geode can help to clear their energy. Placing a geode near a doorway or entrance clears and energizes the incoming flow of energy into the home.
HEARTS: Crystals that have been shaped into hearts increase loving energy in addition to the other characteristics of the type of crystal. Place a heart as the centre of a crystal grid to include loving energy with your intention.
ICOSAHEDRONS: Sacred Geometry shape representing the element of Water. This shape is useful for working with this element and also during meditation.
LASER WAND: This is a natural long point usually made of Clear Quartz that tapers towards the tip. The point has small faces on it. This type of wand is ideal for energy work and acupuncture. Because this wand increases the energy and concentrates it in the termination, it is very powerful and should only be used with a clear intention of what you hope to accomplish.
LENS: A polished crystal that is rounded on one side and flat on the opposite side. While often pretty to look at because the shape makes all inclusions more visible, crystal lens also are great additions to your crystal grid.
MASSAGE WAND: This is a type of wand that is designed to be used with massage therapy, reflexology and acupressure. Massage wands are either rounded at both ends with one end wider than the other, or they have one rounded and one pointed end.
MERKABAS: Sacred Geometry shape said to represent the shape of the human energy field. This shape is useful for working with this element and also during meditation.
OBELISKS: A standing crystal that is pointed and tapered at one end. Energy is directed through and radiates from the point of the crystal.
OCTAHEDRONS: Sacred Geometry shape representing the element of Air. This shape is useful for working with this element and also during meditation.
PENCIL: A crystal pencil is a long crystal with flat sides and a point at one end, like a wooden pencil. These can be used for healing in the same way as a wand for directing energy and, because they are usually flat on one side, they can be stood up and used in a grid or to energize a space.
PENDULUM: Any crystal attached to a string or chain can be used as a pendulum. Pendulums can be used to locate imbalances in the body in need of healing, identify the flow of energy, or can be used for divination. A commonly available shape of a pendulum is a pointed crystal with either faceted or smooth sides. We have additional information on using pendulums.
POINT OR SINGLE TERMINATED CRYSTAL: This is a crystal with a termination, or pointed tip, at one end. The flow of the energy in the crystal will be directed out from the point. When used in grids or healing, pointing the crystal toward an object, crystal or part of the body will bring energy in and pointing the crystal point away will draw energy off the item. Clear Quartz is commonly found in points.
PYRAMID: The energy of a pyramid-shaped crystal is focused at the apex. Point the pyramid towards an area that needs additional or concentrated energy, such as an area of blockage in the body.
ROD: A rod is a long crystal without a termination at either end. Some crystals, such as Selenite, are often found naturally in this shape. This can be used in the same way as a wand to direct energy.
SHIVA LINGAM OR LINGAM: This is a 3 dimensional oval shaped crystal. The Lingam shape symbolizes the Divine Creative Manifestation and also represents Shiva, the Hindu Lord of Creation. Lingams balance the masculine and feminine energies.
SCEPTRES: A natural point with the opposite, smaller end tapered. Natural Sceptre crystals are helpful for directing healing energy and drawing on ancient knowledge for healing.
SKULLS: Crystals that have been shaped into skulls increase the connection with all humans on the planet. Skulls, especially larger ones, tend to have a soul that guides them and can be connected with.
SPHERES: Emit energy equally in all directions; extremely useful for clearing the energy of a space.
TETRAHEDRONS: Sacred Geometry shape representing the element of Fire. This shape is useful for working with this element and also during meditation.
TOWERS: Polished and shaped crystal points with a flat end that allows it to stand up and direct the energy upwards and outwards from the crystal.
TUMBLED: Any crystal that has been polished or tumbled to have a smooth surface without any sharp or rough edges. This shape is ideal for carrying in a pocket.
VOGELS: A special type of double terminated wand that is specifically cut to the proportions of the pyramids of Egypt and the Tree of Life. Vogel wands, even those not cut to the exact specifications, are excellent healing tools useful for directing and clearing energy.
WANDS: Any long crystal with a tapered end that may or may not have a point on the end useful for directing energy in a specific area. Wands can be naturally shaped or polished into a point. Wands are ideal for use with reflexology and acupressure.
WORRY STONES/ PALM STONES: Polished, flat crystals with an indentation on one side that is ideal for rubbing the thumb. This shape helps to relieve anxiety and stress.
VOGEL WAND: A true Vogel wand is a 12-sided wand with points at both ends and has precise measurements and angles as instructed by Marcel Vogel. These wands are excellent healing tools because of their high energy and ability to magnify and focus energy. Energy is drawn in through the shorter (female) pointed end and emitted from the longer (male) pointed end of the wand. It is recommended to program Vogel wands prior to working with them.
CRYSTALS AND COLOUR
Here’s the scenario – you walk into your favourite crystal shop (or, if you shop online, the crystal catalogue opens) and, most likely, the first thing that draws your attention is the array of colours represented by those shimmering gemstones. Whether they’re lying in little bowls on a table, hanging in strands on the wall, set behind glass cases or peer from stunning photos on the internet, they call to you like little sirens. You’re hooked now and can hardly hold in your giddiness. You wander and can’t help but want to touch (you know you do!).
But we don’t always choose our crystals – they choose us and, like it or not, it’s because we need the particular healing energy that a certain stone carries and wears proudly by its colour. Perhaps it’s the vitality of red stones, the grounding energy of black, the soothing of blue or the energizing yellows. Colour is as important in crystals as the energy they produce. Crystals are treasures of the Earth, packed with energy. They carry with them a variety of metaphysical properties that have been widely used for thousands of years. They can be used for healing, luck and prosperity to love, protection and removing negativity.
ENERGY QUALITIES
Gemstones possess either receptive or projective energies. Receptive stones are magnetic, soothing; promoting love, calm and peace. They can be used for meditation and de-stressing and can promote wisdom, love, sleep, friendship, prosperity, fertility and growth. Projective stones are energizing; used for healing, luck, success, courage and self-confidence.
RED, ORANGE & YELLOW
These are projective gemstones.
Red crystals, such as, Red Tiger Eye, Ruby, Red Jasper, and Garnet provide courage, vitality, will-power, passion and protection. Physically, red stones help boost the immune system, aid in blood circulation and help with problems associated with the reproductive organs. They are associated with the Root Chakra.
Orange stones relate to personal power and are excellent for those with low self-esteem. They promote joy and give you a boost of confidence. Orange crystals, such as Carnelian, Sunstone, or Orange Calcite are helpful with kidney or bladder problems, exhaustion, food allergies and eating disorders. They are associated with the Sacral Chakra.
Yellow stones, like Citrine, Yellow Tiger Eye, and Yellow Calcite are attributed to communication, concentration and self-expression as well as skin problems and digestive system disorders. They offer a “sunny” outlook and can increase prosperity. Use these stones on the Solar Plexus Chakra.
GREEN, BLUE & PURPLE
These are receptive stones.
Green stones are useful for healing, bringing luck or money and working with nature. Physically, green crystals keep the heart and respiratory system functioning properly as well as the immune system. They also help calm those that may suffer from anxiety, panic attacks and addictions. Green crystals are often associated with the Heart Chakra. Examples are Malachite, Green Aventurine, Moss Agate and Peridot.
Blue stones promote peace and restful sleep (think ‘deep ocean’). They are also used for healing, especially for reducing pain, inflammation, fevers and headaches. Blue crystals are good for increasing communication skills, intuition, helping with legal matters and long-distance travel. Examples are Lapis Lazuli, Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite and Kyanite. They are associated with the Throat or Third Eye Chakras.
Purple gemstones, such as Amethyst, Lepidolite, and Sugilite promote harmony, aid in meditation and reduce stress. They increase psychic awareness and inner wisdom. Physically, purple stones are great healing stones – relieving migraines, sleep disorders, asthma/allergy symptoms and problems from ear, nose and throat ailments. Purple crystals are often linked to the Brow Chakra.
BLACK & WHITE
These two colours are receptive stones.
White is used for safe travel, psychic abilities and intuition, as well as a true sense of purpose, and inspiration. Physically, white crystals help with bones and teeth and heal both the physical and spiritual body. Moonstone, Quartz Crystal, Selenite and Apophyllite are good examples. They are associated with the Crown, Brow or Sacral Chakras.
Black crystals, such as Onyx, Obsidian and Jet, aid in getting rid of negativity, grounding and protection. They help one to move away from destructive influences and keep you from making the same mistakes repeatedly. Physically, black stones help with overstressed nerves, shock and trauma, as well as alleviating spinal problems. Black crystals are often associated with the Root Chakra.
RAINBOW COLOURS
Gemstones that are multi-coloured, such as Tourmaline and Opal, are multi-purpose stones and carry the metaphysical properties associated with the colours that they possess.
So, while you wander amidst the beautiful crystals and have your heart set on a specific colour, you may just find yourself going home with something totally different and unexpected – the crystals have chosen you, for they know you need them, whether you realize it or not. Enjoy your crystals!