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Crystal Guide · Crystals by purpose

Crystals for Beginners

New to crystals? These twelve are the classic starter stones – easy to find, durable and each with a clear traditional meaning: clear quartz for clarity, amethyst for calm, rose quartz for love, citrine for positivity, black tourmaline for protection and more.

Start with two or three that match what you want to focus on, and read each crystal’s care tips – some, like selenite, must never get wet.

Crystals for Beginners

  • Amethyst
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    Amethyst

    Purple quartz, the February birthstone, famous since ancient Greece as the stone of calm and a clear head.

  • Aventurine
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    Aventurine

    Shimmering green quartz known as the 'stone of opportunity' in crystal lore.

  • Black Tourmaline
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    Black Tourmaline

    Striated black crystals of schorl – the most popular protection and grounding stone in crystal lore.

  • Carnelian
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    Carnelian

    Glowing orange chalcedony used since ancient Egypt – the crystal lore stone of creativity and confidence.

  • Citrine
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    Citrine

    Golden quartz and November birthstone – the crystal lore 'merchant's stone' of abundance and optimism.

  • Clear Quartz
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    Clear Quartz

    Water-clear rock crystal – the 'master' stone of crystal lore and the heart of modern electronics.

  • Labradorite
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    Labradorite

    Grey feldspar that flashes blue, green and gold – the 'northern lights' stone of transformation and intuition.

  • Rose Quartz
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    Rose Quartz

    Soft pink quartz – the best-known stone of love, self-love and compassion in crystal traditions.

  • Selenite
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    Selenite

    Luminous gypsum named after the moon – a cleansing stone in crystal lore that must be kept away from water.

  • Smoky Quartz
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    Smoky Quartz

    Brown to smoky-grey quartz darkened by natural radiation – Scotland's national gem and a grounding stone.

  • Sodalite
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    Sodalite

    Royal blue stone with white veins, once used to decorate a royal residence – a crystal lore stone of logic ...

  • Tiger's Eye
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    Tiger's Eye

    Golden-brown silky quartz with a moving band of light – a classic crystal lore stone of courage and focus.

Zodiac, chakra and purpose associations come from crystal-lore traditions and vary between authors. Crystals are not a substitute for medical advice.

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