A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Healing Crystals
Did you know there are more than 4,000 known naturally occurring crystals? When it comes to buying crystals for the first time, the options can be overwhelming! How do you know which crystal would be the right fit for you? What is considered to be good quality? How do you know if you’re getting a good deal? Today, my goal is to help answer all of these questions for first-time crystal buyers to you can discover where to buy crystals, how to choose the best crystals, and other buying tips.
Where to find crystals:
You can find a nice selection of crystals at most metaphysical or spiritual shops. A good ole’ Googling will do the trick to see which stores are closest to you. The positive side of shopping in person is you can hold the different crystals in your hand and have many options to choose from with knowledgable staff to offer support for your purchase.
There are endless websites that sell crystals too. If you decide to order a crystal online, check the caption on the image or somewhere on their website that may have a disclaimer that the crystal you would like to purchase is the same one featured in the photo. Some online crystal shops will show a general photo of what the crystal looks like, but the crystal you receive may be slightly different including the colors, patterns, and shape of the crystal. I especially love to support other small business owners by making crystal purchases on Etsy.
In the days of pre-COVID, crystal and gem shows pop-up all over the world, and offer special prices for those who carry a seller’s permit to receive wholesale pricing. Some metaphysical or spiritual shops may honor a seller’s permit or offer special pricing if you are looking to buy in bulk. I’ve done this many times with not only my seller’s permit, but buying in bulk for Christmas gifts.
Here are a few websites to get you started:
https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystals
https://www.energymuse.com/crystal-shop
Instagram: Search by using hashtags like #crystalsforsale #crystalsale
Some of my favorite crystal shops in Los Angeles:
Create & Express: El Segundo, CA: https://www.createandexpress.com/
Malibu Shaman: Malibu, CA: https://malibushaman.com/
House of Intuition: Multiple Locations in LA: https://houseofintuitionla.com/
Lighthouse Crystals: https://www.lighthousecrystals.com/
Spellbound Sky: http://www.spellboundsky.com/
Thunderbolt Spiritual Books: Santa Monica, CA
Aura Shop: Santa Monica, CA
You may choose to pick up a crystal book and make a list of crystals that appeal to you before searching online.
Great Books & Helpful Resources on Crystals To Get You Started:
Lembo, Margaret Ann. The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals, and Stones. 2016. Llewellyn Publications.
Hall, Judy. The Crystal Bible Volume 3. 2013. Krause Publications.
Hall, Judy. Crystals and Healing Stones: A complete guide to 150 recently available crystals and stones. 2006. Octopus Publishing Group Ltd.
Simmons, Robert & Ahsian, Naisha. The Book of Stones. Who They Are & What They Teach. 2005. Heaven & Earth Publishing LLC.
Lilly, Sue & Lilly, Simon. Healing with Crystals and Chakra Energies: How to Harness the Transforming Powers of Color, Crystals, and Your Body’s Own Subtle Energies to Increase Health and Wellbeing. 2007. Hermes House.
Shop with intention:
It’s great to have a specific intention or at least an idea of what you would like to use the crystal for, whether it is to develop your chakras, assist in meditation, bring abundance & good luck, grounding & protection, manifest a goal, alleviate stress or anxiety, motivation to move forward, mental clarity and focus, or perhaps you’re open to whatever crystal you’re attracted to the most is right for you at that moment in your life. Are you looking for a crystal that can assist you on all levels of your being- spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically?
With your intention in mind, think about what size you would like to buy. Is it going to be used as a decorative piece in your home for positive energy? Should it be small enough to fit inside your wallet or pocket for good luck? Maybe you would like one that fits easily in your palm for meditation?
How to choose a crystal:
Whether you are shopping in person or online, which crystals do you find most appealing? Typically, the one you are drawn to the most is meant for you. Maybe it is the color that grabs your attention, or how it sparkles when it is held up to the light.
If you’re shopping in person and you’re not sure if it’s the best crystal for you, hold it in your receptive hand, (your left hand), and close your eyes to see if you feel a shift in your energy. In other words, your body may sway forward or feel a vibration/tingling sensation in your hand. Don’t worry, this is not like an electrical shock, but rather the vibration of energy moving from the crystal and resonating and harmonizing with your personal vibration. Pay special attention to your energy and mood when you are holding the crystal. Some crystals have a calming effect, while others will help you feel happy and energized! Try experimenting and holding a variety of different stones. This shift is the energy from the crystal is a sure sign it will be the right fit for you. Some people are more energetically sensitive to crystals than others, so if you don’t feel any of the sensations- that’s perfectly ok! You can ask your Higher Self, saying it to yourself or out loud, “Is this the crystal for me?” The first answer you feel is the correct answer. Don’t second guess yourself. You will intuitively know if the crystal is the right choice.
Types of crystals:
When shopping for a crystal for the first time you will encounter various types of crystals, which can be raw or polished, natural, or dyed. Crystals can also come in various shapes and sizes. Speaking from professional, personal experience, I find that raw and polished stones can be equally effective at healing, however, I do my best to find crystals as close to their natural state as possible. For example, I use raw, unpolished selenite, and black tourmaline on a daily basis for healing purposes. I find that the energy coming from raw stones can carry a stronger vibration than crystals that are polished or altered in some way. Try an experiment for yourself by holding a raw crystal in one hand, and a polished stone of the same kind in your other hand.
Pricing:
It may pay off to do a little research and shop around when it comes to getting a good deal on crystals, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money! There are crystals for every budget. Some polished crystals between 1-2 inches in size typically cost about $2, while some large geode crystals that are multiple feet long can cost thousands of dollars. It depends on what you are looking for and goes back to your original intention for using the crystal.
Smaller crystals don’t always mean cheaper too. Some crystals that are more rare will cost more, even if they are smaller than the tip of a pencil eraser. If you happen to fall in love with one that is considered “rare” or a collector’s piece, make sure the crystal comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Other things to consider:
Take note of where the crystals are coming from. There are crystals that are well-known and/or only come from certain regions in the world, and some crystals come from high energy vortex. For example, crystals mined in Peru, Sedona, Arizona, and Mt. Shasta, California, are all spiritual & energetic vortex on Earth and will have significantly higher vibrations than crystals mined from other regions.
Some high energy crystals are not even from this planet. One of my personal favorites is moldavite, which is only found in the Czech Republic, and formed when a meteor hit the Earth. This crystal and other types of cosmic stones are called Tektites, which have very high vibrations.
Another reason why it is important to research where crystals are coming from is that you want to buy a crystal that is ethically mined, which means workers were paid fairly, and exchange between countries are using fair trade.
Lastly, some crystals are considered toxic and should be handled with care or kept in a case. While many crystals are non-toxic, some crystals should never be put in your mouth, ingested, or placed in water to make crystal elixirs or gem essences too. If you are unsure if a crystal is safe to handle, always use a Google search or use one of the crystal book references provided above.
Check back on the Chakra To Ya blog next week as I’ll be writing about how to create a crystal starter kit, which includes a variety of popular, easy to find options for each chakra.
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*Energy & intuitive healing practitioners do not diagnose conditions, perform medical treatments, prescribe substances and medications, or interfere with the treatment of a licensed medical care professional. Energy healing is an effective treatment in addition to, NOT a substitute for, medical attention and medications provided by a licensed physician or licensed professional health care for any ailment. It is recommended that clients receiving Reiki treatments also see a licensed physician or other licensed health-care professional for any ailments.