Guide to Choosing Crystals
by Donna Thomson
Choosing crystals can be a fun process but it can also be torturous if you just can't whittle your choices down or afford the gorgeous amethyst geode that you just have to have. A bit of patience is necessary but once you become interested in crystals you may be surprised at how they come to you. Here are some aspects involved in choosing crystals along with some tips and insights that may help:
Local sellers - First you need somewhere to purchase your crystals. New age and crystal shops are fun to peruse but can often be quite expensive, so it's a good idea to become familiar with your local outlets and compare their stock and prices. Alternatively you can find crystals at fairs and markets, often for very reasonable prices.
Online shopping - This is a popular way to purchase crystals these days due to the broad range of crystals available and the competitive prices. The downside is that you don't get to hold the crystals before purchasing them so you take a chance that they may not be exactly as you expected. However, you can still get a feel for which crystals appeal to you by looking at the images. Just make sure you understand what you are paying for as sometimes a photo will show several stones of which you will be purchasing only one. Also take note of the measurements so that you don't expect a nice sized crystal only to find something tiny turn up in your letterbox. Photos can be very deceiving in terms of size so feel free to ask the seller for measurements if they are not provided. You'll also want to question the seller if you're unsure if a crystal is naturally coloured or dyed. Honest sellers should have no hesitation answering your questions.
Sensing which crystals to buy - The most important aspect of buying crystals is to pay attention to which ones catch your eye or give you a special feeling. This can be as simple as being drawn to a crystal's beauty or finding yourself being drawn back repeatedly to the same crystal. Some of the ways you might connect with the right crystal for you, are:
Sight - When choosing a crystal to purchase or work with, certain crystals may appear more visually appealing to you. You may think that it's just because it looks brighter or more colourful than the others, but the crystal is appearing that way to you because it is in harmony with your own energy. Another visual connection you might make is to see white or coloured energy around a crystal or radiating from it - usually appears hazy, wispy, or as lots of small dots.
Touch - Some people feel a tingle or warmth in their hand when holding a crystal, especially one that is in harmony with their energy. The sensations can be very subtle or quite strong in that it takes you by surprise. You can also experience physical sensations throughout your body, on your skin, or within you. You may feel a boost of energy in the solar plexus or heart area. Or, you may be drawn to place a crystal on a particular area and feel warmth, coolness, or other sensations.
Sixth sense - At times, we just have a knowing that a particular crystal is meant to be ours because we "just have to have it". This is our intuition (or sixth sense) letting us know there is a place for this crystal in our life.
Decision making - You may have found several appealing crystals and just can't decide which to take home. If you can't take them all, then you need a strategy. Try holding them in your hands and feeling which have a stronger pull for you. You may be able to reduce the selection this way. Alternatively, put them all back, close your eyes for a short time, then notice which crystals you are immediately drawn to when you open your eyes again. You may actually find you can't get one or two out of your mind while your eyes are closed - take that as your cue to take those ones home.
Intention - You may have a particular intention in mind when you head out to get a crystal. Perhaps you are looking for something to help with study. Keep this intention in your mind when perusing the crystals on offer and see which you feel drawn to. Pick up the one that appeals to you and hold it for a few moments, closing your eyes if you feel comfortable doing so. Ask yourself if you feel this is the crystal to help you with your intention and follow your immediate instinct. If you find yourself looking at the information cards for crystals to suit your intentions, don't be surprised if the recommended ones just don't appeal to you. Go with the crystal that does.
Sets - A quick and useful way to start or boost a crystal collection is to purchase a pre-made set, usually based on the seven chakras or an attribute such as love, empowerment, creativity, grounding and so on.
Gifts - Sometimes crystals will come to you as gifts. It may surprise you to find that those crystals seem to be just what you need at the time. This may be the other person's intuition or indeed the universe working on your behalf. Sometimes you may not feel an immediate connection and that is okay too. Simply take your cue when you feel drawn to explore the crystal further. I have had many occasions where I've felt drawn to particular crystals and bought them, only to not look at them again for weeks or months until one day they stand out like a beacon and are just what I need at the time.
Alternatively, you may find that you will bring a crystal home only to feel drawn to give it as a gift to someone else at a later date. This is a wonderful way of crystals finding their way to those who need them.
Disappearing acts - Don't be surprised if one of your crystals suddenly disappears, especially if you have been working with it. Take this as your cue that your time with that crystal is finished, at least for the time being. Sometimes we can get caught up with a particular crystal for a longer length of time that is beneficial to us. For example, you may have suddenly been drawn to rose quartz and this may be something you need a boost of for an hour or so, but you have been carrying it with you for days on end. If you overdo it and don't pay attention to your instinct to leave it alone, it may indeed go missing of its own accord.
Crystals are beautiful, interesting and helpful in so many ways. Whether you have five crystals or fifty, I wish you many wonderful discoveries and experiences with your 'gems'.