You may know crystals as the glittering array of stones that bring healing into our world. But at a base level, crystals are solid materials of molecules that arrange themselves in a repetitive pattern. This arrangement gives a crystal its shape, color, and metaphysical properties. Truly a gift from nature, crystals are fascinating, and whether used in spiritual healing, jewelry, or modern-day technology, the crystal world is full of fascination. We look at some fun facts about crystals to underscore these stones’ uniqueness.
How Crystals Form:
Crystals are often born in the depths of the earth. They often form when hot liquids cool and harden. For example, when liquid magma slowly cools over time, this can cause diamonds, quartz, and other gemstones to grow. When salt water evaporates, salt crystals can also be left behind. When water freezes, the water molecules arrange themselves in intricate and symmetrical patterns, which lead to snowflakes (also known as ice crystals).
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Types of Crystal Structures
The Six Main Crystal Systems:
Depending on their atomic structure, crystals fall into six main geometric systems. These systems directly impact their appearance, including shape, angles, and even properties.
Cubic Diamonds and Fluorite fall under this category. The cubic or isometric system forms symmetrical crystals with equal-length sides at 90-degree angles, often resulting in cubic or octahedral shapes.
Hexagonal Quartz and Amethyst crystals are part of the hexagonal team. Crystals in the hexagonal system have a six-sided symmetry and often form elongated hexagonal prisms.
Tetragonal Zircon is part of this family. Tetragonal crystals are similar to cubic crystals but with one axis longer than the others.
Triclinic Turquoise and Kyanite belong to this category. Triclinic crystals have unequal, unsymmetrical axes, making them the least symmetrical systems.
Monoclinic Gypsum and Malachite are monoclinic. In this system, crystals have axes of unequal lengths with two intersecting at an angle other than 90 degrees.
Orthorhombic Topaz falls under this banner. Orthorhombic crystals have three unequal axes intersecting 90 degrees, forming tabular or prismatic shapes.
Examples of Common Crystals and Their Shapes:
Amethyst: This powerful purple stone is a famous crystal known for its serene and spiritual vibes. Amethyst is a hexagonal crystal.
Pyrite: Golden Pyrite crystals are often mistaken for actual gold and even has the nickname Fools Gold. It is part of the cubic crystal family.
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Fun and Unusual Facts About Crystals
Crystals Are Everywhere:
Crystals are all around us and are an important part of the natural and everyday world. Even salt and sugar are types of crystals. When water evaporates, it leaves behind tiny crystal solids, and if you were to magnify salt and sugar grains, you would see dazzling tiny crystal shapes.
Snowflakes are also one of nature’s most beautiful formations and crystals. Every single snowflake is unique. Formed high in the atmosphere, each snowflake takes on a unique shape as it freezes, influenced by temperature and humidity. This is why no two snowflakes are ever exactly the same.
The Largest Crystals on Earth:
Deep within the Earth in Mexico’s Naica Cave, some of the world’s largest crystals have been discovered. Towering gypsum of impressive proportions can reach a staggering 36 feet in length and weigh a whopping 55 tons.
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The Metaphysical Power of Crystals
Crystals for Healing:
Crystals come blessed with their own energy fields – like everything in this world. But because crystals have a stable atomic makeup, they also have stable energy, which can directly impact our energy fields. Crystals have long been used for healing, and gemstones like Rose Quartz, Amethyst, and Clear Quartz are believed to balance energy, flush out negative energy, promote healing, and enhance emotional well-being.
Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditional love. This pretty pink gem is ideal for attracting love and fostering compassion.
Amethyst helps with relaxation, sleep, and spiritual growth and is considered one of the best healing crystals.
Crystals and Chakras:
The body is believed to have seven energy points, each correlating to a different area of our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Each crystal is associated and linked to a particular chakra; the crystal’s color usually indicates which chakra it links with. For example, Clear Quartz is considered a master healer gemstone and can be used to balance all the chakras completely. The sunny yellow citrine stone is connected to the solar plexus chakra, which helps us find our confidence and step into our power.
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Crystals in Everyday Life
Crystals in Technology:
Quartz is truly one of the most awesome crystals and is also used in modern-day technology. You can find quartz in watches, radios, and a whole host of electronics. Quartz vibrates at a stable frequency when exposed to electrical currents, a process known as piezoelectricity, which means it keeps accurate time. Beyond timekeeping, quartz is also used in devices like microphones, ultrasound equipment, and GPS systems due to its ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical signals.
Crystals in History and Culture:
Civilizations throughout history, from Ancient Egypt to the Greeks, Ancient China, and Native American tribes, all used crystals for spiritual and decorative purposes. Amethyst was often worn to ward off intoxication, while Egyptians believed Lapis Lazuli opened the gateway to the spirit world. Jade was highly prized in Ancient China and stood as a symbol of wealth and wisdom. Many Native American tribes used turquoise for spiritual ceremonies and art, believing it to bring protection, strength, and a connection to the sky and earth.
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How to Care for and Cleanse Your Crystals
Cleansing Methods:
Crystals absorb energy from their environment to sweep away negative energy. Because they can collect energy (including negative and stagnant energy), it’s important to keep them cleansed and charged regularly. There are many methods for cleansing and charging your crystals, which can differ depending on the makeup of the crystal. For example, softer crystals shouldn’t be submerged in water, and brightly colored crystals shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight. A few non-invasive cleansing methods can be placing them in the moonlight overnight, using tuning forks and sound vibrations, and placing them on a Selenite plate known for naturally having charging energies.
Tip: Remember to be mindful of sunlight when cleansing sensitive crystals like Amethyst, as direct sunlight can cause them to fade.
Storing Your Crystals:
Store your crystals in a safe and sacred space to keep their vibrational energy humming. To protect your special stones, you can use soft pouches, separate drawers, and crystal grids.
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Where to Buy High-Quality Crystals
Ethically Sourced Crystals Matter:
Another essential factor to consider when purchasing crystals is to ensure you buy them from a crystal shop or retailer that ethically sources their stones. Not only does this mean you will get the best quality crystal, but it also means that their energy isn’t tainted by negativity or exploitation. Ethically sourced crystals will come to you in their purest form.
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Explore Crystal Collections at Tiny Rituals:
From Amethyst to Clear Quartz, Tiny Rituals has an extensive collection of crystals for all your metaphysical and decorative needs.
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Conclusion
Crystals are ever fascinating. Whether you are pulled toward their beauty, healing properties, scientific makeup, or historical significance, there are so many amazing factors to consider, and the more you know, the more enchanting the crystal world can be. Tiny Rituals Tiny Rituals offers a curated selection of high-quality crystals to help them on their journey to well-being.
FAQs
What is special about crystals
There are so many special things about crystals, especially their ability to hold energy due to their stable atomic makeup. This means we can exchange energy with crystals, which is why they are often used in healing work.
What are the 4 main crystals
The four main types of crystalline solids are ionic, metallic, covalent networks, and molecular crystals.
What do real crystals do
One of the central beliefs around crystal healing is that these precious stones can channel and redirect energy. This means that they can work with our body, mind, and soul to dissolve blockages and bring us into alignment.
Are crystals cold or hot
Crystals can be cold or warm, but they will often feel cool before you work with them. The more you meditate while holding them or use them, the warmer they may feel.
