A Hobby With Healing Benefits: Rocks, Crystals, and Minerals

For as long as humans have been around, they’ve enjoyed crystals. It’s certainly easy to imagine why. Crystals, minerals, and even some natural rocks are an unofficial natural wonder of the world. Their beauty is striking, with various vibrant colors and incredible geometric and organic shapes. To discover a beautiful rock or mineral glistening in the sun is to understand why humans have always believed in the healing and protective powers of crystals.

History of Healing Crystals

The earliest records of crystals used for magical potions come from the Ancient Sumerians. Other ancient cultures including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese, used crystals, rocks, and minerals for their healing properties, as well.

Today, in the United States, many adults are turning from utilizing strictly western medicine to complementary or alternative medicine. People use these alternative and complementary treatments to address everything from minor ailments to chronic disease. While there is no science to back the effectiveness of healing crystals and minerals, people claim to have amazing results from these natural beauties.

List of Healing Crystals and Their Uses

While the number of ailments people claim to have healed with crystals is vast, it’s important to know that each rock, crystal, or mineral is associated with its own unique healing properties. For that reason, we present to you a beginner’s list of healing crystals and minerals.

Agate Healing: Rebalance

What it is: Agate is a semitransparent microcrystalline variety of quartz. It is a semiprecious rock when found in a desirable color and quality. Agate typically forms in igneous rock cavities where it deposits and hardens in layers on the bottom, producing a banded pattern.

Healing properties: In general, people use Agate to rebalance the body, mind, and spirit. It cleanses the user’s aura, or energy field, ridding it of negativity. It can enhance mental function, like concentration, and is said to physically heal the eyes, stomach, uterus, skin disorders, cleanse the lymphatic system, and strengthen blood vessels.

Apatite Healing: Manifestation 

What it is: Apatite is a phosphate mineral, which is typically mined for its phosphorous content to produce acids, fertilizers, and other chemicals. Rarer specimens of Apatite that are clear and colorful are considered gemstones.

Healing properties: People use Apatite to connect the future with past lives and aid in developing spiritual gifts. Apatite also enhances creativity and motivation, which makes manifestation more meaningful and powerful. In the physical body, many people believe that Apatite aids in the absorption of calcium to help strengthen teeth and bones. It’s also said to help with joint pain, and encourage healthy eating habits while suppressing the appetite.

Carnelian Healing: Self Trust

What it is: Carnelian, occurring in the red and brown hues, is a variety of Chalcedony. Chalcedony is a mineral that is colored by iron oxide. Indonesia and Brazil are common locations from which Carnelian occurs.

Healing properties: People believe that Carnelian is a stabilizing stone that brings its user the courage to overcome abuse. In addition, Carnelian can help to make better life choices and sharpens perception and trust in yourself. It is also a fertility booster. Carnelian is used to physically treat the low back, arthritis, depression, and regulate the kidneys.

Chrysoprase Healing: Detoxify 

What it is: Another variety of the mineral Chalcedony, Chrysoprase is apple green in color due to traces of nickel. Chrysoprase is one of the more valuable varieties of Chalcedony and is sometimes among ancient Greek artifacts. Today, its use is fairly rare. 

Healing properties: Chrysoprase, the healing crystal, is thought to bring universal energy into the physical body to cement one’s place in the universe. Use Chrysoprase to heal your inner child, find hope, and promote fidelity in your business and personal life. Detoxify your mind and body with Chrysoprase as it’s physical healing properties are used to treat the liver and balances hormones.  

Feldspar Healing: Creativity 

What it is: Feldspar is a group of minerals that create rocks. Feldspars are responsible for making up to 50% of the Earth’s crust. Characterized by the presence of silica and alumina, Feldspar minerals crystalize from magma veins in igneous rocks.

Healing properties: Feldspar crystals help the user find new and creative solutions to problems with which they are stuck. It is said to help you understand yourself and encourage love within yourself. Physically, many people believe in Feldspar crystal’s ability to heal the skin and muscular disorders.

Jasper Healing: Nurture

What it is: Jasper is interesting because it is an aggregate (a structure made of different elements) mineral made from Chalcedony and Quartz. Typically, Jasper presents in earthy colors, sometimes splashed with bright colors.

Healing properties: Known as the “supreme healer,” Jasper is commonly used to bring peace and calmness in periods of stress or turbulence. It’s thought to absorb negative energy and clear pollutants while grounding the user to the present. Physically, some people use Jasper healing rocks to treat overall pain, and stomach and foot problems.

Labradorite Healing: Transform 

What it is: Labradorite is a Feldspar mineral often found in igneous rocks. Labradorite is known for its iridescent blues and greens and is known for its “labradorescence.” Because of its beauty, Labradorite is a fairly popular gemstone.

Healing properties: Labradorite is a crystal used in times of change. It protects the user’s aura and strengthens the intuition. It is used to overcome fear and insecurities. It is also used to reveal the truth in illusions. People believe in Labradorite crystal’s ability to physically heal the eyes, brain, minor illnesses like colds, and lower blood pressure.

Lapis Lazuli Healing: Power 

What it is: Lapis Lazuli is a metamorphic rock known for its deep blue color. It’s been used as a semiprecious rock for thousands of years all over the world and is unique as a crystal because it’s not a mineral. Instead, it’s a rock made up of many minerals.

Healing properties: Lapis Lazuli is a powerful crystal of protection. Many people believe Lapis Lazuli protects from mental attacks and eases stress. It also can encourage self-expression and reveal inner truths. Lapis is used to boost the immune system and soothe areas of inflammation while lowering blood pressure and purifying the blood.

Petrified Wood Healing: Longevity 

What it is: Petrified Wood is unique in the world of healing crystals because it’s not a mineral, it’s a fossil. Formed when wood plant material gets buried and oxygen protects it from decay, sediments eventually replace the original material with mineral materials. The minerals that make up petrified wood are typically Chalcedony. When stumbled upon in nature, petrified wood might be mistaken for a normal piece of wood until lifted, and its weight is revealed.

Healing properties: Petrified Wood is a healing rock of transformation and longevity. It can aid the user to feel safe and calm while reaching to improve upon oneself. It can bring patience needed for a slow inner transformation process, and Petrified Wood is used to physically heal the skeletal system, skin, and hair.

Pyrite Healing: Protect

What it is: Pyrite is a brassy metallic mineral composed of iron sulfide, and is quite common and found all over the world. However, commonality aside, pyrite is an undeniably cool rock with its naturally occurring geometric shapes and metallic luster.

Healing properties: Healing crystals made of pyrite are said to block out negativity and protect the aura of the user. The shape of pyrite crystals makes them powerful grounders, and it is said to be a quick healer to the physical body.  

Quartz Healing: Master Healer

What it is: Quartz is the most abundant mineral found on the surface of the Earth. It is also the most abundant mineral found in sand. Its hardness and durability make it useful in several processes involving electronics and glassmaking. Its undeniable beauty is what makes it a common gemstone crystal.

Healing properties: Quartz naturally occurs in many different colors, including clear and rose. Quartz is considered the “master healer.” People believe that quartz will amplify energy and thoughts, as well as amplify the effects of other healing crystals. Quartz will also ward off negative energy and cleanse the soul. On a physical level, people believe that quartz stimulates the immune system.

Selenite Healing: Purify 

What it is: Selenite is a variety of Gypsum mineral that forms in distinct crystals. Gypsum is an interesting and unique crystal, and one of its chief characteristics is that it’s very soft and flexible. When using as a crystal, or in jewelry, be careful as even a fingernail can leave noticeable scratches on the surface of the rock.

Healing properties: People use Selenite to clear the mind and expand awareness. Some people believe in its ability to help a user access past and future lives. People use Selenite during meditation to bring about a feeling of deep inner peace. Physically, Selenite promotes flexibility, and brings the spine into alignment and even stabilize epileptic disorders.

How to Use Healing Crystals

Whether you are interested in healing crystals, minerals, and rocks for their beauty, as a gift for a loved one, or for their healing powers, choosing a specific rock is very personal. Even if you’re skeptical about the healing properties of these beautiful rocks, choose one that has an intention behind it. Is there something missing of which you’d like to be more mindful? Find a healing rock that resonates with you.

The easiest way to use a healing rock or crystal is to wear it as jewelry or use it as decor in your home. Other uses include carrying them in your pockets or purse and meditating with them. Upon selecting and bringing home your healing rocks, minerals, or crystals, follow these steps:

1. Cleanse your rocks - Healing crystals work with energies, so in order to cleanse your stone of any energy it has absorbed cleanse your rock with one of the following methods.

• Reiki
• The moon - Place your gemstone in the moonlight outside or on a windowsill during a new moon or full moon.
• The sun - Cleanse your crystals by placing them in the sunlight.
• The Earth - Place your healing rocks directly on the ground outside for approximately twenty-four hours. Cover jewelry with a cloth to protect it from dirt and debris.
• The water - Pour purified water over your gemstones. Be careful, as some gemstones should not be submerged.
• Sea Salt - Place your crystals in a bowl of sea salt. Alternatively, you can place your crystals in a clear glass bowl, then place that bowl in the sea salt.
• Rice - Place your stones in a bowl of dry brown rice. Dispose of the rice when you’ve finished cleansing your healing stones.
• Smudging with sage - Burn a smudge stick made from white sage and pass your stones through the smoke.
• Placing your rock on quartz crystal - Quartz will clarify and cleanse your healing rocks. Be sure to cleanse your quartz regularly.

2. Set your intentions - Also known as programming. Sit quietly while holding your stone in your palm. Bring your intention to your mind and try to clear all other thoughts. Repeat your intention to yourself as many times as you like, until you feel your stone has fully absorbed that intention. This process is about intuition, so when you feel the process of programming is complete, it is.

3. Decide on a home for your healing crystals - Will they be on display, or will they rest quietly on your nightstand to go with you each day. Designate a spot for your crystals.

Humans have admired crystals, minerals, and rocks for their beauty for all time. As long as we have admired them for their beauty, we have also been using them for their healing properties and powers.

While the scientific evidence to support the wonders of crystals is not there, you should not underestimate the power of the mind. Our minds are beautiful and powerful things that can also be dangerous to ourselves and others if we’re not careful. Intentionally train your mind to be a source of good and healing and watch your life change. Crystals can help you with that process, and at the very least, you have a beautiful and meaningful piece of natural art to display in your home or present to a loved one.