Beginner's Guide to Understanding Types of Crystals
There are a lot of different types of crystals available on the market, and it can be tough to know which one is right for your needs.
Natural crystals can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, from massive pieces that are often used for home decor to tiny chips and flakes that are often used in resin art.
You can also find refined crystals that come in a variety of shapes, including clusters, points, spheres, pyramids, wands, carved sculptures, and orgonite.
When choosing a crystal, it's important to consider what you want to use it for.
Crystals have a variety of healing powers, ranging from dispelling negative energies and negative emotions to bringing mental clarity and positive thinking.
Many crystals have benefits and powers that overlap, but some are unique to an individual kind of crystal.
You might pick up rose quartz, clear quartz, nephrite jade, or some other crystal, but crystals come in all sorts of crystal structures, shapes, and sizes.
For example, if you're looking for the perfect crystal to help you focus and boost your energy levels, then a pyramid or point crystal may be a good option.
If you're looking for a powerful crystal to help you relax, then a sphere or tumbled stone may be a better option.
Ultimately, the type of crystal you choose should be based on your needs and preferences.
In this guide, we'll break down the different types of crystals found around the world so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Rough Crystals
Rough crystals are unpolished and unrefined gemstones.
They haven't been cut or polished in any way, so they still have their natural shape.
Because they haven't been cut or polished, rough crystals often have irregular shapes and uneven surfaces.
Rough crystals are usually found in nature, but they can also be bought from online retailers or crystal shops.
Rough crystals are often used for decoration or to make other products, such as jewelry.
Using Rough Crystals
There are several benefits to using rough crystals in your artwork because their natural shape can add an organic feel to your work.
Additionally, because they haven't been cut or polished, rough crystals retain more of their original energy.
This means that they can be used for metaphysical purposes, such as enhancing your creativity or attracting positive energy into your life.
Another benefit of using rough crystals is that they're relatively inexpensive.
Polished gemstones can be quite pricey, especially if they're rare or exotic, but rough crystals are typically much more budget-friendly.
This makes them a great option for artists who want to experiment with using gemstones in their work without breaking the bank.
Since rough crystals have sharp edges and uneven surfaces, it's important to handle them with care because they may have sharp edges.
You'll also want to be mindful when using them, so that you don't accidentally hurt yourself.
Additionally, because they're less expensive than polished gemstones, it can be tempting to buy a bunch of them at once.
However, it's important to only buy as many as you need so that you don't end up with a bunch of unused crystals and spend too much money.
Tumbled Stones
Tumbled stones are crystals that have been polished through a tumbling process.
This process gives them a smooth surface and rounds off any sharp edges.
Tumbled stones come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them versatile for all sorts of uses and art projects.
Using Tumbled Crystals
Tumbled crystals are a great crystal type that many people use because they are so accessible.
One of the most popular uses for tumbled stones is jewelry making.
Tumbled stones can be used as beads or added to metal components to create beautiful and unique pieces.
You can also wire wrap tumbled stones to create pendants, earrings, and other types of jewelry.
Whether you use herkimer diamond, black jade, or other popular crystals, your jewelry will be one-of-a-kind because no two tumbled stones are exactly alike!
In addition to jewelry making, tumbled stones can also be used in a variety of other art projects, like beautiful accents in mosaics or can be used as part of a mixed media collage.
You can also use them to create worry stones, which are small smooth stones that are meant to be held in the hand and rubbed during times of stress.
Worry stones are believed to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Tumbled crystals can also be used for meditation, crystal healing, and home decor because they're easy to hold and contain focused energy.
Tumbled stones are a versatile crystal, so go ahead and experiment because the possibilities are endless!
Clusters
Crystal clusters are groups of crystals that have grown together.
They can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Clusters can be made up of a single type of crystal or multiple types of crystals.
They're often used as decoration or in crystal healing because they're believed to emit a high frequency of energy.
Uses for Crystal Clusters
Crystal clusters have a variety of uses, both practical and spiritual.
On a practical level, clusters can be used as decoration.
They make beautiful centerpieces and can be used to add a touch of beauty to any room.
Clusters can also be incorporated into works of art, such as jewelry or sculptures.
On a spiritual level, many people believe that crystal clusters have healing properties.
It's thought that the high frequency vibrations emitted by the crystals can help to balance the chakras and promote feelings of well-being.
Crystal clusters are often used in crystal healing sessions or placed on the body during meditation.
Whether you're attracted to them for their beauty or their spiritual properties, incorporating clusters into your life is sure to bring some positive vibes your way!
Points and Towers
Crystal towers and points are a type of cut and polished crystal that come in a variety of sizes, colors, and types.
They're often used as decoration or in crystal healing because they're believed to emit powerful energy.
Uses for Points and Towers
Crystal points and towers can be used in a variety of ways, both practical and spiritual.
Crystal points and towers not only make attractive centerpieces, but they are also said to have healing properties.
These crystals emit powerful energy that can help balance the chakras and create a sense of well being.
Crystal points and towers are often used in crystal healing sessions, placed on the body during meditation, or used in a crystal grid.
Crystal towers and points can be a great addition to your home or artist's toolkit.
They can promote creativity, concentration, and motivation while also helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts.
If you're looking for a way to boost your creativity or relieve some tension, consider adding a few crystals to your art space.
Whether you're attracted to them for their beauty or their spiritual properties, crystal towers and points are sure to add some positive energy to your life!
Spheres and Pyramids
Spheres and pyramids are two more types of crystals. Spheres are round, while pyramids have four triangular sides that come to a point at the top.
Like points and clusters, spheres and pyramids can add help you achieve a sense of well-being and a lot of visual interest to your artwork.
Using Spheres and Pyramids
Spheres and pyramids are used in crystal healing because they're believed to emit powerful energy.
It's thought that the shape of a pyramid can help to focus and amplify the energy of the crystal, while a sphere is believed to emit energy in all directions.
Spheres and pyramids are often used in crystal healing sessions, placed on the body during meditation, or used in a crystal grid.
They can also be used as decoration or incorporated into works of art.
Spheres and pyramids are sure to bring some good energy into your life, whether you're drawn to them for their beauty or their spiritual qualities.
Carved Sculptures
Crystal sculptures are beautiful pieces of art that can be used to decorate any home or office.
They are carved from a single piece of crystal and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
They're often used as decoration, but many people also believe that they have healing properties.
They're also believed to have healing properties, which make them popular gifts.
Using Carved Crystal Sculptures
Carved crystal sculptures can be used in a variety of ways, both practical and spiritual.
They make beautiful centerpieces or paperweights, and they're also said to have healing properties.
According to ancient belief, the energy emitted by crystals can help bring chakras into balance and promote well-being.
Nowadays, people use carved crystal sculptures in crystal healing sessions, place them on their bodies during meditation, or incorporate them into a grid.
They also make for beautiful decoration or thoughtful gifts.
If you're looking for a way to add some beauty and positive energy to your life, consider investing in a carved crystal sculpture, whether you buy one already carved or decide to carve it yourself.
Conclusion
No matter what type of crystal you choose for your artwork, we hope that this guide has helped you understand the differences between the various types.
Regardless of which crystals you bring into your life and home, it's important to cleanse it regularly so that it can continue to absorb and release energy effectively.
When cleansing your crystals, you can simply use water (but make sure it's not water-soluble first!) or you can place them in sunlight or moonlight for a few hours.
Once you've chosen the right crystals for your needs, be sure to take care of them so that they can continue to support and nurture you on your journey.
Don't forget: have fun with it!
Want to learn more with a complete beginner's guide to crystals? Check out The Aurora Codes' video!
If you're feeling stuck and want help getting motivated again, you can also check out our articles on how to find inspiration, finding inspirational music for creativity, and building creative confidence in your abilities.
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