Top 10 healing crystals to start your collection

Crystals have long been utilised for their healing properties. Crystal therapy (or crystal healing) uses techniques to balance and align the chakras and aura and, in doing so, bring a sense of peace and well-being.

But, with literally hundreds of different crystals out there and thousands of different uses for them, it can be hard to know where to start.

So, to help you, here are 10 healing crystals to start your collection.

1. Amethyst

Amethyst is said to aid creative thinking and spiritual awareness. It is a protective stone and thought to reduce nightmares. It is also believed to release tension and its purple colour makes it the perfect stone for the crown and brow chakras.

2. Aventurine

Aventurine is a stone of optimism and zest for life. It can help you take everything in your stride. It is also a stone of ‘good luck’. Its green colour makes it a wonderful heart chakra crystal.

3. Carnelian

Carnelian brings an influx of life force into the body and is a powerful aid to those who wish to build confidence and courage within themselves. Its orange colour makes it an excellent sacral crystal.

4. Citrine

Citrine is a ‘feel-good’ crystal. It can help banish negativity and deep gloom and inspire enthusiasm and feelings of self-confidence. It is also called the ‘merchants stone’ and placing it in the wealth corner of your home is said to invite abundance. Citrine's yellow colour matches the solar plexus chakra.

5. Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz is the master healing crystal. It strengthens and stabilises the body’s energy field and promotes harmony. Its clear colour includes all the colours of the rainbow so matches all of the chakras, but especially the crown.

6. Fluorite

Fluorite is said to help absorb new ideas and bringing order to chaos. It also cleanses the aura. Containing purple, green and clear colours, Fluorite's energy often matches the crown and heart chakras.

7. Hematite

Hematite is the most effective stone for grounding yourself in the here and now. It helps dissolve negativity and learn from your mistakes. A great stone for the base chakra.

8. Red Jasper

Red Jaspermay help enhance stamina and work overtime to increase vitality. It is believed to strengthen the link between the base chakra and the Earth and help to stabilize your energy if you keep it with you.

9. Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditional love - for yourself, loved ones and everything in the Universe. Reawakening trust and faith in all that surrounds us, Rose Quartz is the perfect crystal for the heart chakra.

10. Sodalite

Sodaliteis a stone of insight. It is said to enhance mental powers of analysis and intuition. Its blue colour makes it a great stone for the throat chakra allowing you to speak your own truth.

With these 10 crystals in your tool kit, you will have the beginnings of a wonderful collection.

How can crystals help?

Many people report feeling more able to deal with the stresses of daily life after a crystal healing session and feel more capable of making decisions that will enrich their lives. Crystals can also provide relief from chronic pain and dissolution of old negative patterns and habits.

Crystal healing can help children and teenagers to deal better with school issues of bullying and changing friendships, as well as school tests and exams. They seem less anxious and stressed and just 20 minutes is usually enough to give them weeks of release from these issues.

The therapy itself is completely non-invasive and can be done with the client lying down or sitting if preferred. The only thing your practitioner should ask you to remove is your shoes and maybe any jewellery or glasses that you might find uncomfortable during the session.

Crystal therapy is often offered as one part of a treatment or other therapy, but to really experience the powerful benefit, this therapy should be tried on its own. The ability of an intuitive practitioner to help release the innate power of these amazing natural resources should also not be overlooked.

So what are you waiting for? Give crystal therapy a try and see if it helps you.