by Marc Tanjeloff

Crystals have been a source of mystery and fascination for thousands of years. These powerful treasures of the earth have graced the altars of ancient temples and adorned palaces and private homes. They are documented in ancient scrolls and prized for their rarity, beauty, and healing powers for the body, mind, and spirit. But selecting the perfect crystal to suit a specific need can be a little tricky.

People purchase crystals for a variety of reasons, the most prevalent being collection or investment, home decor, and metaphysical use. It’s easy to get overwhelmed walking into a reputable gallery or store, so here are some tips for choosing the perfect crystal for a certain purpose.

The aesthetic appreciation of crystals requires no scientific knowledge at all; it is based purely on physical appeal. Regardless of the reason for the purchase, there are a few benchmarks all crystals should meet: form, color, transparency, and luster (see sidebar). 

With that in mind, it’s time to find the perfect healing crystal. 

Follow the Energy

Locate a reputable dealer, then focus on the crystal specimen that seems like it would be most helpful—but don’t write it in stone. 

For example, rose quartz might seem like the perfect choice to bring love back into a relationship. But if a small piece of bismuth catches your eye as soon as you arrive at the showroom, there’s a reason for that. Never underestimate a specimen that “winks” at you. Bismuth is known for its ability to foster connectivity and feelings of kinship, so a small piece of bismuth can help you project inclusive and connective energy that will attract the love you’re looking for. 

After finding some acceptable specimens, lay them out on a counter or table. Then, with eyes closed, take several deep breaths to slow and regulate your natural rhythm. Feel the earth energy entering through your feet and filling your entire body, willing it down your receptive arm and hand (the one you don’t write with) until you feel your hand slightly pulsating. Eyes still closed, hover over it a few inches above the selected crystals and move it slowly across all of them. It might be necessary to do this a few times, but eventually, there will be a sensation in your hand as it hovers above one or more of the crystals. Remove any that do not cause a physical sensation, and eventually, there will be one that feels stronger and more alive than the others. That’s the perfect crystal for you.

Now What?

So how do you use the perfect crystal? First, put it on a windowsill for three days and nights, letting it absorb sunlight and moonlight. Don’t worry if the moon can’t be seen from that window; moonlight reflects off every surface, so the crystal will absorb its cleansing qualities.  

Once that period has ended, any errant energy from the crystal’s journey from mine to home has been removed; it is completely clean and neutral. It can now be placed anywhere as a decoration, or hidden in a corner so its energy will permeate the room without anyone noticing it’s there. Put it on a desk or nightstand, in a purse or pocket, or on a bracelet, necklace or mala with different stones or crystals.

Marc Tanjeloff is president of Astro West, a third-generation family store located next to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Astro West has thousands of minerals, gems, fossils, meteorites, and pieces of rare and unusual jewelry on display, as well as a new private healing center. For more information, visit AstroWest.com or AWUnderground.com.

Crystal Aesthetics

When shopping for an investment crystal, these are the attributes to look for:

Form: Every crystal has a unique form, a compilation of the internal arrangement that defines its identity. The regularity and repetition of a crystalline structure appeal to the mind as well as the eye. A good-quality crystal should have a flat, smooth face with sharp edges and minimal distortion.

Color: The purity and transparency of color can produce an almost tranquilizing effect on the human mind. Look for deep, rich color and a level of transparency that enables you to see into the heart of the crystal. These are not only the most desirable crystals to work with but also the most valuable ones for resale or auction.

Transparency: Transparency gives evidence of internal perfection, as though the interior has been swept clean of any debris. It also reveals a lack of internal damage and a minimum of growth flaws and inclusions.

Luster: Luster describes the overall reflective effect from the fine-scale perfection of a crystalline surface as well as the refractive and absorptive properties characteristic of a particular species. Light can be reflected from the interior as well as the exterior face of a crystalline structure, increasing the total amount of light being reflected back to the viewer.