How the Ancients used Crystals
Crystals have been used by throughout history with ancient civilisations recognising and harnessing their power for healing, protection, energy work and spiritual connection.
Egypt
In Ancient Egypt, crystals such as lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise and clear quartz were used in healing rituals and burial practices as they were believed to hold divine energy. Pharaohs also adorned themselves in crystal jewellery as a symbol of power and divine favour.
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamians used crystals such as hematite, obsidian, jasper and agate in divination practices and for protection as they also believed that crystals carry divine energy. Crystals were also prized as trade goods and were crafted into valuable cylindrical seals and jewellery.
India
Indian Vedic texts also reference crystal use for healing and balancing the chakras. Crystals are seen as carriers of pranic (life-force) energy that are still used in Ayurvedic and Yoga traditions today. Crystals were also placed on altars or worn as talismans during meditation and rituals to enhance spiritual connection.
China
The Ancient Chinese used crystals in traditional medicine, including acupuncture, with quartz used to focus energy in healing rituals. Jade was treasured as a stone of protection, balance and immortality, and as a result was used in burial practices, with royalty being buried in jade suits. In Feng Shui, crystals such as citrine were used to attract prosperity.
Mesoamerica
In Mesoamerica the Mayans and Aztecs also believed that crystals were gifts from the earth and embodied divine and natural forces. They believed that obsidian allowed access to other realms and so used it for tools and scrying mirrors. Quartz and other crystals were also used in ceremonial temples and objects. Jade and amethyst were used during healing rituals to balance physical and spiritual energies to cure ailments and restore harmony.
Lemuria and Atlantis
The lost civilisations of Lemuria and Atlantis are also believed to have used crystals as tools for energy generation, communication and multidimensional travel. Crystals were also used in healing and meditation practices to balance energies and connect to higher-consciousness. Lemurian Seed Quartz crystals with their barcode like striations are thought to contain encoded wisdom from that time.
How Crystals are used Today
Crystal energy use rose in popularity with the New-Age Movement in the 1970s and 80s. It became part of mainstream culture in the last 15 years with the rise in holistic health, spirituality, manifestation and energetic practices. Crystals are now highly sought after meaning care needs to be taken when purchasing crystals to ensure that they are mined ethically, are authentic and are not being over-harvested.
Nowadays, crystals are generally used for healing, protection, cleansing, manifesting and spiritual connection. The energetic properties of each crystal interact with the energy systems of the body and the environment in subtle but powerful ways. Crystals are specifically chosen depending on their individual metaphysical properties and the intended purpose for their use. However, different types of crystals of the same colour have similar energetic properties meaning they can be used interchangeably. Crystal colours are also related to the chakras of the body.
To get the most benefit from crystal energy, it’s really important that crystals are cared for properly. Crystals need to be regularly cleansed, charged and programmed for effective use.
Metaphysical Properties
| Crystal Colour | Chakra | Energetic Keywords |
| Red | Root | vitality, passion, motivation, strength & grounding |
| Orange | Sacral | creativity, confidence, joy, expressive & sensuality |
| Yellow | Solar Plexus | clarity, confidence, focus, optimism & success |
| Green | Heart | abundance, balance, renewal & growth |
| Pink | Heart Soul Star | unconditional love, compassion, emotional healing & self-worth |
| Blue | Throat | communication, calm, truth & inner peace |
| Indigo | Third Eye | intuition, insight, wisdom, & spiritual awareness |
| Violet/Purple | Crown | spiritual connection, awakening, psychic & dreams |
| White/Clear | All especially Crown | purification, clarity, amplification & light |
| Black | Root Stellar Gateway Gaia Gateway | protection, grounding & energetic shielding |
| Brown | Earth Star Gaia Gateway | stability, grounding, reliability, resilience & focus |
In addition to the general properties of colour, individual crystal types have their own metaphysical properties. According to different sources, there are between 300 and 500 different crystals that are used for healing, enough to fill a book never mind a web page. So I have chosen 20 of the most well-known healing crystals and outlined their key properties below. I use all of these crystals regularly when working with clients and also in my own spiritual practices.
Clear Quartz
Amplification | Clarity | Healing
Amplifies energy, enhances clarity, and balances all chakras. Known as the “master healer,” it boosts intentions, promotes mental focus, and also connects to universal energy.
Amethyst
Peace | Intuition | Spirituality
Promotes calm, intuition, and spiritual connection. Soothes stress, aids sleep, and also enhances crown chakra energy, fostering peace and higher consciousness.
Rose Quartz
Love | Compassion | Connection
Encourages self-love, compassion, and emotional healing. Supports heart chakra work, nurtures relationships, and also fosters inner peace.
Citrine
Abundance | Confidence | Vitality
Attracts abundance, boosts confidence, and energises. Also enhances solar plexus chakra, promoting personal power, creativity, and optimism.
Black Tourmaline
Protection | Grounding | Stability
Grounds and protects against negative energy. Shields the aura, supports root chakra, and also promotes emotional stability and security.
Selenite
Cleansing | Clarity | Connection
Cleanses energy, promotes clarity, and connects to higher consciousness. Clears blockages, aligns crown chakra, and purifies other crystals. Selenite is self-cleaning so it only needs to be charged and programmed when working with it.
Moonstone
Intuition | Balance | New beginnings
Enhances intuition, emotional balance, and feminine energy. Supports sacral chakra, fosters inner growth, and also aligns with lunar cycles.
Lapis Lazuli
Truth | Wisdom | Inner peace
Encourages truth, wisdom, and self-expression. Also activates throat and third eye chakras, enhancing communication and spiritual insight.
Tiger’s Eye
Confidence | Focus Manifesting
Boosts confidence, courage, and focus. Also balances solar plexus and root chakras, promoting clarity and grounded decision-making.
Hematite
Grounding | Strength | Stability
Grounds and stabilises energy, absorbs negativity, and promotes strength. Also supports root chakra, fostering resilience and balance.
Jade
Good fortune | Serenity | Love
Attracts luck, harmony, and heart-centered healing. Supports heart chakra, encouraging emotional balance and prosperity.
Obsidian
Protection | Truth | Spiritual growth
Protects and reveals truth, aiding emotional release. Supports root chakra, facilitating shadow work and grounding.
Turquoise
Spiritual connection | Communication | Balance
Promotes protection, communication, and emotional balance. Activates throat chakra, fostering honest expression and spiritual connection.
Malachite
Transformation | Emotional Healing | Protection
Supports transformation, emotional healing, and protection. Activates heart and solar plexus chakras, encouraging growth and release.
Carnelian
Creativity | Vitality | Motivation
Boosts creativity, vitality, and courage. Supports sacral chakra, enhancing motivation, passion, and confidence.
Aventurine
Opportunity | Prosperity | Balance
Attracts prosperity, soothes emotions, and supports heart healing. Activates heart chakra, fostering optimism and balance.
Labradorite
Intuition | Transformation | Inner peace
Enhances intuition, psychic abilities, and transformation. Supports third eye and crown chakras, promoting spiritual awakening.
Smoky Quartz
Grounding | Healing | Balance
Grounds, detoxifies, and releases negative energy. Supports root chakra, fostering stability and emotional clarity.
Angelite
Peace | Spirituality | Compassion
Promotes peace, spiritual connection, and angelic communication. Supports throat and crown chakras, fostering calm, compassion, and higher awareness.
Red Jasper
Stamina | Stability | Passion
Grounds, strengthens, and boosts vitality. Also supports root chakra, enhancing physical energy, stability, and endurance.
Book a Crystal Energy session or find out more about how I use crystals as a Certified Crystal Energy Guide.