Sparkly, colourful and full of magical promise. You're curious about the power of healing crystals, but are unsure where to start. In the Crystals 101 series of articles, I'll explain everything you need to know about crystals and minerals but are afraid to ask.
I'm Laura, the Founder of Rock + Realm and self-proclaimed crystal addict and crystal nerd! I've been running my Norwich based ethical crystal business for about 3 years, during which time I've built up a wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom about the do's and don'ts of buying, using and caring for crystals and minerals.
I remember only too well how daunting it is when you first dip your toe into the realm of crystals and spiritual healing. But don't worry, I'm here to set you on the right path and give you the tips you need to confidently buy, care and benefit from crystals as part of your wellbeing journey.
If you’re eager to grow your crystal knowledge as well as your crystal collection, then read our Crystals 101: The Best 5 Crystals for Beginners to learn about the best crystals to start your collection with
- Clear Quartz crystal for enlightenment & amplifying energetic vibrations
- Amethyst crystal for balance, psychic protection & relaxation
- Rose Quartz crystal for self love, rejuvenation and feminine energy
- Smoky Quartz crystal for protection, grounding & calm
-
Selenite crystal for aligning chakras and cleaning other crystals
Essential Crystals to start your wellbeing toolkit
The first rule of crystal shopping is... don’t tell your partner you’ve bought another crystal!
Once crystals come into your life it’s easy to get hooked and find your collection grows quickly because no two crystals are ever the same. Not only do crystals look beautiful in your home, they hold many layers of meaning that are fascinating to learn about.
Their mineral content and how they formed millions of years ago, where they are from and if they are rare and then there’s the different energies, metaphysical and mystical benefits.
Everything in this universe is made up of atoms that vibrate at specific frequencies, including us. When you’re well and happy your energetic vibration is harmonised, but when you are ill or unhappy these vibrations become unbalanced. Crystals are believed to vibrate at frequencies that return our own energetic vibrations back into balance. Different crystals vibrate at different frequencies and so their benefits vary.
1. Clear Quartz - A crystal for enlightenment, clarity & amplifying energetic vibrations
I’ll borrow from Lord of the Rings to best describe Clear Quartz as One Crystal to rule them all!
Clear Quartz is like your favourite pair of jeans; it goes with everything, never goes out of fashion and can be dressed up or down depending upon your mood. Clear Quartz is found everywhere in the world, amplifies the vibrations of other healing crystals and can be programmed with your intentions to take on any task (a bit like a wild card).
Clear Quartz is commonly found in many different combinations with other minerals. These might be referred to as ‘included’, ‘phantom’ or just as ‘something’ quartz, like garden quartz, snow quartz or Himalayan quartz.
Clear Quartz is known as the master healer and is the most versatile and essential crystal to start your collection of healing stones with. If you could have only one crystal; Clear Quartz wins every time!
Did I mention it boosts the power of other crystals AND can be used to substitute any crystal you don’t have?! That’s pretty awesome in my book, a bit like having any super power you want.
Clear Quartz has been prized throughout time by scientists, healers and ancient civilisations. Clear Quartz can transform mechanical pressure or heat into electromagnetic energy, making it an essential component in watches, lasers and electronic sensors. And yet Mayans, Aborigines and ancient Egyptians, amongst many others, have also used Quartz in their healing and spiritual practices, believing it to expand your consciousness.
I love Clear Quartz for its variety and versatility. One of my first crystals was a mini quartz point bought in Bucharest that I carry in my pocket at all times and another favourite is a huge double terminated cluster hand mined from Madan, Bulgaria in Europe.
Clear Quartz is also extremely beautiful and can be used to add interest to any decor scheme with its minimalist good looks!
2. Amethyst - A crystal for balance, psychic protection, intuition & relaxation
Are you feeling in need of a spa break and some peace and quiet? Or perhaps you are looking to more deeply connect with your intuition and higher self? Does your child suffer with nightmares or restless sleep?
If so, then Amethyst is just the tonic you're looking for!
It's very like the lavender oil of the crystal world, helping to balance and calm your spirit. It has both a playful and protective quality and is believed by many to aid lucid dreaming and prevent nightmares.
Amethyst has an uplifting and balancing energy and aids connection to your third eye chakra and spiritual gateway. In combination this makes Amethyst the perfect meditation partner and it's beautiful deep purple tones make it a welcome addition to your home as well!
My personal connection with Amethyst started as a child because it’s my February birthstone and so I was gifted a mini cluster that I was obsessed with. I now have a number of Amethyst necklaces and beautiful Uruguayan Amethyst clusters and geodes in my bedroom, bathrooms and Living room. I've also recently added one of the gorgeous small towers from Rock + Realm to my home office... I just couldn't resist!
3. Rose Quartz - A crystal for self love, rejuvenation, harmony and feminine energy
To quote the legendary Ru Paul "Everybody say "Love"!"... "Love""!
Rose Quartz is the stone of universal and unconditional love. It is the most important crystal for the Heart chakra and restores trust and harmony in relationships.
Rose Quartz purifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. It has a gentle and soothing energy that makes it an ideal addition to your bedside or bathroom crystal collection.
It has also been thought for many centuries to have rejuvenating properties and was used by the ancient Egyptians as a face mask. Indeed legend has it that Isis, the Egyptian goddess of life, motherhood & fertility, used to rub rose quartz on her forehead, eyes and cheeks to ward off the effects of aging.
These properties have come into vogue again and you can find Rose Quartz as an ingredient in modern day face care products too! I like to put a chunk of Rose Quartz in the bath to fully harness the soothing and rejuvenating benefits.
4. Smoky Quartz - A crystal for protection, grounding & calming
Dark crystals are very protective and grounding. Connecting with your root chakra they work to increase your sense of security and connect you with the earth.
Smoky Quartz makes a fantastic protective talisman and I have a number of necklaces made of Smoky Quartz that I wear if I need to go into a stressful or negative atmosphere. The crystal absorbs the negativity and instils an inner calm and strength like a protective shield around my aura. Perfect for toxic work environments or when you have to be around those people who drag you down with their negativity. Maybe try one of the Rock + Realm Smoky Quartz Bead Bracelet if a negativity shield sounds ideal for you.
It is a beautiful stone as well, coming in a full range of beautiful coffee tones from very pale to the almost black. The colour comes from natural radiation of the silicone in the quartz.
Very rare Morion Quartz, which is only found in Namibia, is opaque black due to its proximity to uranium deposits. Morion itself is not radioactive and is safe to touch. True Morion is extremely rare and expensive, so more frequently black or dark smoky quartz is recreated by irradiating quartz in commercial settings.
If smoky quartz is too uniform or almost black and being sold at prices too good to be true, then buyer beware! The price is a good indicator, as you can expect to pay higher prices the darker or rarer the smoky quartz.
5. Selenite - A crystal for uplifting, aligning chakras and cleaning other crystals
This crystal superstar is also known as satin spar or Liquid Light! It got its name from the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene, and it’s easy to see why as white light dances across its surface.
Selenite is one of those must have crystals for your collection, useful not only for cleansing you and your home but also other crystals. It is often shaped into flat plates or bars to use as charging plates for smaller crystals. With it's uplifting and cleansing energetic vibrations, Selenite is best placed in your hallway to encourage positivity into your home, or in the Living Room to create a positive environment.
A selenite tumblestone or stick is a useful addition to your meditation toolkit too. It is a high vibration crystal, that connects to the crown chakra. Used in meditation it will supercharge the connection to your higher spiritual self and speed up your journey of personal transformation. If you're looking to improve your holistic wellbeing practices, then try meditating with a selenite stick on your chest pointing upwards to help realign and balance all chakras.
Selenite is made up of the mineral Gypsum and can be found in a number of formations, like satin spar or desert roses. It scores low on the Mohs hardness scale and is dissolvable in water - it must be treated with care so you don't damage it. Some of the largest crystals ever found are selenite, with the largest specimen found in the Naica Mine's Cave of the Crystals, Mexico, being 12 metres long and weighing 55 tons. Can you imagine the energy in this Selenite cave?!
Best healing crystals to start your collection
So there you have it, clear quartz, amethyst, rose quartz, smoky quartz and selenite are my top five foundational crystals to start your collection.
If you don't feel drawn to any of these crystals, don't worry, I don’t think you can go wrong selecting a crystal from a reputable seller. The best way is to choose what you are most drawn to, without even reading the description. The body knows what it needs and so often when you discover the benefits of your chosen stone you realise they are exactly what you need!
If you are inspired to start or add to your collection with these amazing stones, then check out our Crystals for Beginners Collection and pin this blog to refer back to.
More about us
Rock + Realm is an ethical spiritual retailer, specialising in crystals, incense, jewellery, spiritual wellness and more. As an independent, female-owned UK business we care deeply about supporting women to be their best selves.
Loved our Crystals 101: Five Essential Crystals to Start Your Crystal Collection?
💬 If you have any other questions about how to get started with crystal healing, crystal and mineral collecting or how to choose and care for your crystals, we’d love to help in the comments below!
