Crystals and Gemstones
Crystals, minerals and gemstones can be classified in many different ways, such as according to:
- Colour
- Transparency (clear to opaque)
- Chemical Composition
- Crystal Structure
- Origin / geographical location of occurrence
- Metaphysical associations
- Chemical properties
- Mechanical properties
- Uses - see below
Uses of Crystals & Gemstones
The various uses of crystals and gemstones reflect the diverse reasons for interest in crystals.
These include:
- As decorative items for spaces such as the home, office or garden and/or as decorative gifts. These may be chosen purely for their visual appeal or also for energy balancing and/or Feng Shui.
- Use in jewellery, which may be intended as presents/gifts, good-luck charms, keepsakes, to aid personal energy balancing, or for their crystal healing effects. In this case some people like to choose gemstones according to the person's birthstone or 'star sign' e.g. as listed in the table of crystals and signs of the zodiac.
- Use in the construction of household items such as candle-holders, lamps, chandeliers, glasses/goblets, paper-weights and so on.
- Uses for healing such as in the cases of crystal healing and/or crystal reiki.
There are also related applications of the use of crystals in combination with other therapies such as reflexology or colour healing. - Uses to provide a focus for meditation. There are many different meditation techniques. Some meditation techniques involve concentration on one's own breath or breathing while others involve clearing the mind by focusing on a single point in space such as a simple candle flame or crystal point. Other techniques use 'guided meditation' methods in which the mind is guided by either the words of a person speaking aloud or a recording of such a voice, perhaps with additional background sound effects.
- Some crystals are used to clear energies from other crystals. These may be used by anyone who enjoys crystals and cleanses their own crystals. Other crystal clearing/cleansing techniques include the use of sunlight, flowing water or intention.
- As academic teaching aids, especially for subjects such as geography and geology.
- There are also many chemical and industrial uses or applications of many crystals and minerals.
