8 Must Have Crystals
My Top 8 must have crystals
Whether you're just a beginner or an expert in crystal collecting, here are 8 essential must-haves I highly recommend. Keep them in your pockets, wear them as accessories or just displaying them in your space.
1. Amethyst
A variation of the quartz family, in hues of light lavender to deep violet. However, variations like pinks and greens do occur. Commonly found worldwide but the best are known to be found in Uruguay and Brazil.
Since the past, it has been widely loved by the ancient Egyptians for its beauty as gemstones; the Greeks and the Europeans for its healing and protection properties.
Affectionately known as the all healer, and probably the most well-known crystal in the world. Best known for its harmonious energies that stimulates creativity, promoting emotional balance and enhancing spirituality. Available in all the shades of purple you can imagine for that soft calming vibes that are perfect companion for meditation and stress relief.
The sheer variety and abundance of this magnificent crystal makes it the number 1 collectors item and a must-have.
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 7
- Mineral Category: Silicate Mineral, (silicon dioxide, SiO2)
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Crystal Habit: 6-sided pyramids
2. Black Tourmaline
It is a crystalline silicate mineral group, that comes in a wide variety of colours. Tourmaline is one of THE most colourful gemstones in the world.
Black tourmaline belongs to 1 of the 3 "species" of tourmalines - Schorl, and is of the most common variety. They have high magnetic susceptibilities due to high concentrations of iron and manganese. Mainly found in Brazil, Madagascar, but also found in some parts of Asia.
It is known to be the ultimate crystal for protection against negativity "evil", like a heavy duty all rounder shield to protect your auras. It grounds you back to earth with it's practicality and creates a sense of security. Boosts energy levels through purification and cleansing it. A great EMF protector especially in our digital era.
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 7 - 7.5
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Mineral Category: Cyclosilicate,(Ca,K,Na)(Al,Fe,Li,Mg,Mn)3(Al,Cr,Fe,V)6
(BO3)3(Si,Al,B)6O18(OH,F)4 - Crystal System: Trigonal
- Crystal Habit: Ditrigonal pyramidal, Parallel and elongated.
3. Clear Quartz
The most abundant and powerful crystal in the world, available worldwide and is used in many industries, from computers, to expensive heirloom watches, to kitchen countertops. It has many variations, colours, some with inclusions and is nature's most beautiful work of art. It is usually prized and valued by its location, clarity and size, with the best coming from Brazil and the Himalayans.
It is also known as the Master healer of crystals as it is versatile and can help to amplify other crystal benefits. It balances, clears and relieves any negative energies. Due to its higher vibrational energies, it is also a great tool for meditation, and higher self and spiritual growth.
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 7
- Mineral Category: Silicate Mineral, (silicon dioxide, SiO2)
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Crystal Habit: 6-sided pyramids
4. Selenite
Believed to be named after the Greek Goddess of the Moon, Selene. It has been used for centuries in healing and cleansing rituals. Some of the largest crystals ever found are of selenite, the largest specimen found in the Naica Mine's Cave of the Crystals being 12 meters long and weighing 55 tons.
Often interchanged for its sister - satin spar as they are of similar mineral makeup. Selenite is a crystalized variety of Gypsum, often forming clear "windows" and is flaky and comes in sheets. Often opaque or clear.
Satin Spar is also a variety of the Gypsum family but has fibrous white masses and is able to be carved into shapes. Satin Spar can come in a colours other than white, often peach or brown.
What I like to call the "white light" energy crystal that strengthens and protects the aura with energy that is so pure, it cleanses. It is one of the most soothing yet powerful crystal. It is often known to help quieten down "noise" therefore an indispensable aid when meditating and calming. It is great for clearing the mind and also cleansing of all energies, hence it is also often used to cleanse other crystals. However, it is also known to be extremely brittle and should not be exposed to water prolonged.
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 2
- Mineral Category: Sulfate mineral, (CaSO4·2H2O)
- Crystal System: Monoclinic
- Crystal Habit: 6-sided pyramids
5. Rose Quartz
Beloved and dating back to the 7000 BC, rose quartz is already well loved as jewelry and for its healing properties back in the day. It is believed that rose quartz was formed when the Greek God of War, Ares attacked the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite's lover Adonis and their blood was spilled, hence dyeing the stone pink.
The stone of Unconditional Love, that pink stone that everyone loves and knows. It has a soft compassionate and feminine energy, creating that calming atmosphere. Part of the large family of Quartz, the pink colour is due to the microscopic inclusions of silicate mineral fibers and the presence of dumortierite.
Although found worldwide, the best and most prized variation comes from Mozambique and Brazil, and those with the 4 to 6 ray star effect is even more highly desired.
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 7
- Mineral Category: Silicate Mineral, (silicon dioxide, SiO2)
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Crystal Habit: 6-sided pyramids
6. Shungite
A mineral made up of 99% carbon, most famously found in a village in Karelia, Russia. Famous for its strong EMF blocking properties, they make really great office desk companions. It is also known for its amazing purification properties that it was believed that Peter the Great, created the first Russian spa where the spring water was purified with Shungite, and has been used as a water purifier for centuries.
It is a very strong crystal to repel and remove negativity and restore balance by detoxifying. It is also highly grounding and aids in relieving insomnia.
As it is mainly made of carbon, it looks like and can leave black marks and residue on your hands, even for polished pieces. It is also rather brittle and should be handled with care. It is also the only mineral known to contain fullerenes, which are powerful antioxidants.
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 3.5 - 4
- Mineral Category: Carbon
- Crystal System: None
- Crystal Habit: amorphous nature
^ Image shown above is Elite Shungite, which has a higher carbon makeup and is glossier with a gunmetal finish.
7. Fluorite
Has a huge variety of colours. Low melting point allows it to have wide industrial uses, despite its softness. Great aid for focusing and mental clarity. Aids in mental clarity and shielding against negative energies. Purifies and brings balance by enhancing concentration.
Fluorite is typically colorless and transparent in both visible and ultraviolet light, although impurities can give it a range of colors. Mainly distributed in South Africa, China and Mexico, usually in cuboid and stepped formations.
Each colour variety has slightly different properties.
• Blue: calming, rational thinking and communication
• Green: Focus and renewal and growth
• Purple: protection, balancing and dreamwork
• Yellow: energising, confidence and clarity
• Pink: balances emotions, calming and encourages appreciation
• Rainbow: grounding, protection, creativity
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 4
- Mineral Category: Calcium Fluoride, CaF2
- Crystal System: Isometric
- Crystal Habit: cubic
8. Labradorite
Labradorite is part of the feldspar family, with a gorgeous flashes of blue, purple, orange and greens. Legend has it that the Inuit people believed that it was one of the Aurora Borealis had frozen and fell from the skies and onto the rocks on the coast of Labrador, that birthed this beauty.
"The stone of transformation", Increase mental sharpness, aids in transformation & changes. Boosts inspirations and originality. Enhances intuition and psychic abilities.
Mostly found in Madagascar, Canada and China.
- Mohs Hardness Scale: 6 - 6.5
- Mineral Category: Adularescence, tectosilicate, ((Ca, Na)(Al, Si)4O8)
- Crystal System: Triclinic
- Crystal Habit: typically thin and tabular, rhombic in cross section