Crystals are beautiful tools that raise the vibes in any setting. Large specimens can enhance the energy of a home, and small specimens can be carried in a pocket or purse. Some people prefer placing their crystals in grids or jewelry. A trip to the local crystal store is a delightful experience that inevitably leads to the phenomenon of being ‘chosen’ by at least one specimen. With more than 4,000 naturally occurring minerals on earth, one might be overwhelmed when considering a personal collection.
Although I have worked as a gemologist, I don’t have formal training in crystal healing work. Nevertheless, I have studied them casually for many years now. (I highly recommend The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian. It’s like an Encyclopedia Britannica for hundreds of beautiful stones.) From time to time, I get questions from friends who have begun to fall in love with the crystal kingdom.
“Which crystals should I start out with, as a newbie?”
“Which ones would benefit me personally?”
“Which ones are your favorite?”
I can easily name 30 useful crystals in one breath, but I have narrowed it down to 3 for the sake of simplicity. From here, you can follow your bliss to other great crystals that would work well for you at this time.
Black Tourmaline
rough black tourmaline
Black Tourmaline is not only extremely useful, but it is relatively affordable and easy to find. At first glance, it doesn’t look like anyone’s first choice. It’s a black chunk with a subtle sheen – a far cry from the jewelry-grade green or pink tourmalines.
I recommend picking up a few black tourmalines of different sizes and experiencing their special qualities. They feel good in the hand. Black tourmalines are hailed by crystal healers everywhere as tried-and-true grounding stones. One feels a sense of being back on earth and safe, after days of being caught up in the wild mess of frequencies in the ethers.
This stone will make you feel calm and collected real quick.
I remember the first time I experienced black tourmaline – it was in a spiritual class, and I was going through a time. I was barely able to hold it together.
A kind stranger gifted me her black tourmaline and told me that it would be a great tool for staying grounded.
She did not try to convince me that crystals were a replacement for prayer, meditation, or the healing work we were learning about. They were simply tools that could be of service from time to time. It was the beginning of my new understanding about the plethora of gifts bestowed on us by the Divine. I was coming into awareness that God cannot be confined to one book, institution, or historical figure. Crystals had their own consciousness, and they were higher than most humans.
They could assist with the ascension of the planet.
I held that black tourmaline, closed my eyes, and focused on the sensation. It took me out of my thought patterns and into the core of the earth.
How grateful I was for that moment.
Black tourmalines aren’t going to alleviate all of the pain and suffering, but they can become a cherished new vibrational medicine that completes a holistic approach to healing.
Clear Quartz
What would a crystal healer’s collection be without a standard clear quartz? These crystals are plentiful and wonderfully affordable for how beautiful they are.
I could gaze at clear quartz of all sizes all day. While some are impeccably clear and polished, others have a little rock matrix and some trace minerals associated with them. Some are double terminated, and others are bountiful clusters of points. You can find tumbles and skulls and just about every shape imaginable.
So, let’s get to why you must own one or two dozen.
Clear quartz amplifies the energy of anything near it – thoughts, intentions, and other crystals. It is neutral, and it will pick up on the emotion of the person holding it. Make sure you are in a positive state of mind as you connect with it, and stay away from EMF’s.
You can visualize your desires with quartz in hand for several minutes. You can also create hundreds of different grids using double terminated quartz to boost the energy of key crystals associated with certain manifestations.
I have also cleared the energy of my home by placing black tourmaline and double terminated quartz at each corner. My toddler ended up grabbing some of those crystals, but it was a good idea while it lasted. Mom Life – am I right? 🙂
If you place a certain tumble in your pocket, place a quartz in there, too. You can’t go wrong.
Quartz is the real MVP, IMHO.
Moldavite
a moldavite collection
This is a controversial stone, and I certainly understand why some might object to this pick. It is rare, expensive, and very potent. I want to encourage crystal lovers to be mindful of moldavite’s power. Get it when you feel you have done several months of inner work with prayer, meditation, journaling, and anything else that you have felt called to do. This stone has been known to open the gateway to great gifts, and those gifts may include dramatic changes to one’s circumstances.
If you have not prepared yourself for these changes – if you are not able to bend to the winds of change – moldavite could ‘do a number’ on you.
If you have not ended the relationship that needs to end, or if you have not pursued the career that needs to be pursued for the Highest Good, moldavite could ignite these changes in a way that knocks the wind out of your sails.
Proceed with caution.
Many people who claim they have never felt the energies of crystals have noted that moldavite buzzes in their hands. It is believed to originate from a meteor impact in southern Germany around 15 million years ago. Moldavite is in its own class, and large specimens fetch very high prices. A tiny piece of it will suffice for energy work.
Keeping moldavite close, whether in jewelry or in your pocket, will help clear blockages in your chakras and accelerate your soul’s evolution. It accelerates the intentions of other crystals, and many people pair it with Herkimer quartz ‘diamond’ and other ascension stones.
If you feel confident that you are ready to live your highest potential right now, get a moldavite from a reputable seller like Inner Vision Crystals. Beware of scams.
If your intuition tells you to wait a while before getting one, follow it. You don’t want to experience whiplash! There are plenty of other gentle crystals to explore first.
How About Two More, Por Favor?
Stopping at three crystals is a tall order for me. Who are we kidding? I have another two crystals that belong in your collection. Grab these bonus stones while you’re out.
Amethyst
raw amethyst
This enchanting purple stone is quartz with trace amounts of naturally irradiated iron. It is known for spiritual protection and assistance in giving up addictions.
Many people feel inclined to meditate with amethyst since it is associated with the upper chakras and connection to the Divine. It can help one make decisions based on guidance from the Higher Self as opposed to the ego. Old negative habits may diminish, and a new sense of personal empowerment reigns.
Amethyst is found in many parts of the world, and each type is worth exploring. My personal favorite is the Brandberg variety. It has a unique energy that brings me clarity, confidence, and real peace. One of my Brandbergs has a splash of smokiness, which adds a nice grounding quality to it.
Lapis Lazuli
tumbled lapis lazuli
This is one of my birthstones, and I had to throw it in there. It is a fan favorite, both for its appearance and for its energetic qualities.
Lapis Lazuli is a vivid blue hue with flecks of pyrite and varying amounts of calcite. It is the go-to stone for enhanced intuition and psychic abilities. Its energy brings to mind royal life in ancient Egypt and esoteric knowledge. The dominant cobalt blue color matches the throat chakra and thus aids in speaking the truth and having discernment.
As an Akashic Records consultant, I find this stone especially helpful for receiving information about past lifetimes.
Spend some time with a Lapis Lazuli in your hand and be open to the insights that come from expanded awareness. You will undoubtedly feel appreciation for this regal stone that has captivated many over the centuries.
I hope you enjoyed reading about the essential crystals for any spiritual seeker’s shelf!