Are you new to healing crystals? Here are a few things you should know about them:

1. Healing crystals have been around for a long time

It’s not a new idea that a crystal can calm you down. Many people use them to help with anxiety, make you healthier, or bring you money. You might think that the trend of using crystals for things other than cosmetics started in the 1960s when spirituality was all the rage. But that’s not entirely true.

Records show that people in Egypt, Greece, and China thought that crystals could heal and protect them thousands of years ago.

Healing crystals are often grouped with other spiritual practices like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness.

In the last few years, the idea of using crystals for healing has significantly grown. It has been driven by content creators and influencers talking about their benefits on social media sites like TikTok.

2. Some crystals disintegrate in water

A crystal as hard as a rock might look like it will last forever. However some are so chemically weak that they dissolve in water.

Selenite is one of the most well-known examples of this. It won’t dissolve right away like cotton candy in water. But even running it under water in the sink can wear down the finish enough to make the surface look different.

So, if you like putting a crystal in your water bottle (called “crystal water”), don’t use selenite or any other mineral that can break down in the water.

3. Some crystals break without water

While some crystals break when exposed to water, others, such as opal, need to be kept wet to protect them from cracking and getting damaged. Opals that have just been dug out of the ground are often called “wet opals,”. They need to be kept and displayed in water. Of course, you can dry them, but it’s challenging.

While opal and other crystals will disintegrate if not placed in water, you should note that if you buy a cut or polished opal that wasn’t kept in water, you don’t need to put it in liquid because it will have been appropriately treated before it was sold.

But if you buy opal in a closed container with water, do not take the crystal out at any time, as it will disintegrate.

 4. The crystals can be substituted or modified

When making the purchase, buy crystals and gems from a dealer you can trust because it’s easy to get confused between some groups of minerals.

Spinel is one of the better-known fakes in the market. It comes in different colors, and for a long time, people thought it was a ruby or a sapphire. Therefore if you want to buy one of those, make sure you buy it from a reputable seller.

Experienced crystal sellers can change one crystal to look like other types of stones. And the good thing is that they don’t even need advanced tools—heat is often enough.

For example, purple amethyst and yellow citrine are both natural crystals. However, you can change the color of purple amethyst to make it look like yellow citrine by heating it.

For peace of mind that you are buying genuine, high-quality crystals, buy them from independent, certified sellers, either online or in person. Buying them in person is even better since you can check their credentials or ask the sellers about them.

5. Some crystals can be used in pairs or groups

Did you know you can use crystals together to bring luck and other benefits into your life? Some crystals work well together to heal you and make your energy stronger.

For example, rose quartz and celestite, a light blue crystal, make a beautiful pair you can use with your heart and throat chakras. Or, if you need lucky crystals, you can use rose quartz and amethyst for calm, unconditional love.

Remember that how you like to use crystals is also important, so you don’t have to use crystals that are often used together if you don’t like them. Follow your instincts and your wants.

When you are using crystals that go together, how you display them is important. To help you out, here is a guide on how to display Energy Muse healing crystals.

6. Quartz can heal itself

Quartz is usually sharp and has a pointy edge that often gets damaged during mining or transport.

When you are in the stores, it’s common to come across some crystals whose points have broken off the main cluster

Should you buy such crystals with broken edges? Well, this depends on your preferences, but if they are self-healing, there is no reason not to buy them, as it’s a matter of time before the edges come back.

On their broken ends, many of these points show self-healing. Once a piece of quartz is broken off, it grows new crystals on the broken end.

If the end of a quartz point cluster is full of small-scale-like shapes or points, it’s probably a self-healing quartz, and if you are patient and wait for the edges to come, go ahead and buy the crystal.

7. Crystals have species

Yes, crystals and minerals have species, just like animals do.

Crystals of the same species have the same chemical structure at their core. Within each species, different kinds have different colors. Usually, this is because another mineral is present. Quartz, beryl, and corundum are all common types of minerals you will find in crystals.

What’s interesting is that a lot of the minerals we think are different crystals are the same mineral but a different color. For example, rubies and sapphires are types of the mineral corundum, but rubies are red, and sapphires are blue.

Amethyst is just purple quartz. The beryl family includes morganite, emerald, and aquamarine.

You don’t need to know about the different crystal species, but if you are curious, you can always ask an experienced professional to help you.

8. When exposed to light, crystals can fade

The sun fades the color of your carpet, and it can do the same to your crystals when you place them in direct sunlight. For example, semi-transparent crystals can become noticeably less clear over time, so it’s best to keep them away from direct light—yes, that means no windowsills!

Other crystals, such as crystal balls or lead crystals, should never be left in the sun. This is because most of these are made of glass and magnify the sun’s heat, which can sometimes even start a fire.

To protect your crystals, place them safely.

Crystals were covered in a book I reviewed 365 ways to feel better.