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10 Essential Crystals for Beginners (And How to Use Them)

When it comes to gemstones and healing crystals, there can be a lot of variety. With different stones catering to different use cases, it can be quite overwhelming for beginners to get started with their first crystal or starter pack. 

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A problem among most beginners is the abundance of choices. They tend to get lost in the rabbit hole without ever getting started on their journey. So even though you are free to choose which crystals you want to get first, it doesn’t hurt to have a little guidance.  

To help you get started, we’ve put together this little guide. Here we will talk about 12 of the best crystals for beginners, as well as how to use them.  

With that said, let’s get started. 

The Benefits of Healing Crystals 

a woman wearing eye glasses

Of course, crystals and gemstones are pretty to look at, but they serve a much greater purpose than simple decorative ornaments. Crystals are believed to act as conduits of energy, allowing positive energies to accumulate or pass through while blocking out or extracting negative energy. 

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Different crystals have different properties so their method of handling these energies can vary. This is why we need to be mindful of the different types of crystals and their applications. 

Without going into a lot of detail, here are some of the most common benefits of healing crystals: 

  • Helping you sleep better 
  • Preventing diseases and other ailments 
  • Warding off evil and bad luck 
  • Improving your relationships 
  • Attracting wealth and good fortune 
  • Relieving anxiety and frustration 
  • Improving your mood 

Finding the Crystals that are the Best for You 

Although it’s tempting to find the shiniest crystal and do as the crystal guides you to, we need to be able to discern between different crystals and get started with ones that are easy to use and cater to the conditions that need tending. 

1. Your Intuition and Desires

crystal with woods

As always, you are free to choose. There is no standardized “Crystal Pyramid” highlighting which crystals need to be more present in your life than others. So, in most situations, it’s better to use your own intuition and pick out the ones that call out to you. 

Apart from that, you can also prioritize crystals based on your needs. In that case, ask yourself: “What benefits do I seek the most?” and get yourself a crystal (or several) based on what you need to fulfill. 

For example, if you feel like you need help eliminating stress and letting you sleep better, it might be a good idea to get started with a crystal known for helping with stress, like amethyst. 

2. Shapes and Sizes 

After deciding on the type of crystal, it’s equally important to consider the shape and size of your crystal as it will affect how you use and maintain it on a daily basis. 

The different shapes of crystals (such as cubes, pyramids, and spheres) can affect the overall function and their potency, while the size affects mobility and ease of use.  

For starters, a cube-shaped crystal is more efficient at grounding itself, while a sphere is better at radiating energy to its surroundings.  

Also, when it comes to size, smaller crystals are easy to carry around or embed into jewelry and clothing, whereas larger crystals are more efficient at dealing with the energies around a larger environment, whether that’s your workstation, bedroom, or apartment. Which you choose depends on your specific purpose.  

3. Overall Finish 

crystals in a box
Crystals from Cobra Art Ltd. See them here.

Most often, when crystals are harvested from their sites, they are either cut into shape and polished or used as raw crystals in their original state.  

Crystals are polished using a process known as “tumbling,” where the small crystals are washed and allowed to roll inside a “tumbling barrel” with other rocks and substances, which help smoothen out the jagged edges without chipping them entirely. 

Although many believe that raw crystals, with a freeform shape, are more effective, others may find them less capable of harnessing certain energies. Besides, raw crystals are not easy to carry around and you can’t make jewelry out of them. 

So, for beginners hoping to be more familiar with their first healing crystal, we recommend going for smaller tumbled crystals, like these ones.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Crystals 

White Selenite Necklace
Crystal jewelry is an effective way to keep them close. See these here.

The most effective way of harnessing the potential of healing crystals is to keep them in constant contact with your skin, either by holding them or wearing them as amulets, or incorporating them into other pieces of jewelry or clothing. 

Apart from that, you can always keep them in your vicinity, whether that’s keeping them in your pockets, or purse or setting them up on your desk or windowsill. Depending on the size, shape, and color, there are different ways in which you can use them. 

However, you also need to cleanse and recharge them regularly. There are many ways you can go about this, and the most common procedures involve rinsing them with water, burying them in brown rice for a couple of days, and even using other stones to recharge or draw out negative energies.  

As before, the method of cleansing depends on the type of crystal, which we’ll get more into below. 

The Best Crystals for Beginners 

So now we have a better understanding of what we have to deal with when it comes to healing crystals. With all that said, let’s move on to our list of the 12 most essential crystals for beginners. 

1. Amethyst 

Amethyst pendant necklace
Amethyst pendant by Blue Heron Jewelry. See it here.

Amethyst is one of the most well-known crystals. Amethysts are usually purple or violet in color and belong to the quartz family of minerals. These stones are usually harvested from geodes or hollow rocks.  

Naturally occurring Amethysts take the shape of prisms and thanks to a rating of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, they are easy to cut and manipulate into smaller shapes, but at the same time, are durable and hard enough to wear and use on a daily basis. 

The word Amethyst is derived from the Greek word “amethystos” which loosely implies sobriety. As such, Amethysts are said to represent a clearer state of mind, often being synonymous with peace, spirituality, trust, and even royalty. 

These crystals are best for beginners who have trouble sleeping or desire to feel calmer and clear-headed during the day. Since these crystals are easy to cut and polish, they are best used as amulets, whether that’s being used as necklaces or bracelets. 

Although they are very resilient, Amethysts tend to fade out when subjected to harsh sunlight or temperatures. The most common ways of cleansing an Amethyst include rinsing and polishing them with running water or burying them in brown rice. 

2. Clear Quartz 

clear quartz
Clear quartz crystals. See them here.

Clear Quartz, as the name suggests, is mostly transparent. As such it is a colorless crystal that, similar to many other crystals belonging to the Quartz family, maintains a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. 

So just like Amethysts, Clear Quartz crystals can be easily cut and polished to fit certain shapes and sizes. However, they are most often sculpted into larger shapes such as spheres, towers, and wands, making them less mobile than talismans or other pieces of jewelry. 

Regardless, Clear Quartz is mostly revered for its healing and amplifying properties. As such, it’s a very beginner-friendly crystal as it can complement other crystals, while also improving your overall well-being. 

Clear Quartz can be a great candidate for crystal grids, cleansing other crystals, improving their effectiveness, or on its own as a conduit for warding off negative energies. They are best used as decorative items around your desk, under your pillow, or in different rooms, such as your kitchen, bathroom, or living room. 

3. Rose Quartz 

rose quartz beads
Rose quartz bracelet. See it here. 

Rose Quartz is another beginner essential because it mostly relates to the heart chakra. As such, Rose Quartz crystals are all about relationships, and that includes not just being loving and compassionate to others, but for yourself as well.  

Unlike Clear Quartz, you will be able to tell these apart by their rosy, pink hue and they are not as transparent. 

Because of their connection with love and compassion, Rose Quartz can help people foster deep and long-lasting relationships, heal emotional wounds and even improve their heart health. 

Most often, Rose Quartz is used in smaller items such as jewelry and cosmetic items (such as dermal rollers), but you can also set up larger crystals in and around your bedroom.  

4. Smoky Quartz 

smoky quartz ring
Smoky quartz ring. See it here.

Smoky Quartz is another variant of the Quartz family, and it is often found in different tinges of dark yellow and dark brown, presumably the colors of the soil and dirt. 

Because of their connection to the Earth, they are most often represented as a crystal that’s capable of “grounding” a person and fortifying their connection with the natural world. As such, they can help stabilize a person’s mood, help them become more in tune with nature, and help expel negative energies away from the body and back into the Earth. 

Smoky Quartz crystals are best used during meditation and also as part of a crystal grid around your home. However, depending on the circumstances, they might require constant cleansing and recharging. 

5. Lapis Lazuli 

lapis lazuli pendant
Lapis lazuli pendant with tree of life. See it here. 

Lapis Lazuli crystals take on dark blue and indigo hues. Its surface texture most often found interspersed with gold and violet, is very unique, making it one of the most recognizable crystals out there. 

Among other things, Lapis Lazuli crystals are widely synonymous with wisdom. These were revered by ancient Egyptians and reserved only for royalty and the elite. As such, these crystals encourage spirituality, intelligence, perception, and our understanding of the universe.  

Lapis Lazuli stones are also said to connect with the throat chakra, and as a result, they also aid in communication and self-expression. These can be used however you wish, either as jewelry or as pieces of an altar or crystal grid. 

6. Carnelian 

carnelian bracelet
Raw carnelian bracelet. See it here. 

Carnelian crystals are all about passion and energy and considering that the colors associated with this crystal are mostly bright reds and oranges, we can start to see why. 

These crystals are part of the Chalcedony family and while sharing the same amount of hardness, they only offer slight variations from Quartz due to their differences in molecular structure. 

Carnelian crystals are also very easy to cut, polish, and manipulate. They can be fashioned into amulets or tumbled and polished as parts of an altar or grid. Because these crystals are all about energy and vitality, they can help beginners improve their lack of motivation, desire, or ambition, while also grounding them and creating a peaceful, yet focused state of mind. 

7. Moonstone 

Genuine moonstone necklace
Moonstone pendant with meaning. See it here.  

As you can see, Moonstones get their name from the white pearly glow of the moon. However, they share much more than at, as Moonstones are also associated with femininity and the cyclical nature of the universe. 

Most beginners will be able to relate to the inherent power of Moonstone crystals as it signifies change, and the ability to adapt to it. Whether that’s physical or mental, moonstones can help comfort and relieve discomfort that may arise due to constant change. 

On top of that, Moonstones are said to aid with fertility, hormone balance, and mood shifts, teaching us that change is inevitable and that it is within our power to adapt. 

8. Black Obsidian 

Black Obsidian crystal
Black obsidian stone. See it here.  

As you may already know, Obsidian is a hard glass-like crystal that is formed when lava is rapidly cooled.  

Although it is considered to be a very hard substance, unlike Quartz or Chalcedony, it has a hardness rating of 5.5, making them more brittle and less likely to be used as jewelry or smaller pieces, although it’s possible to shape them into amulets and bracelets. 

Regardless, Black Obsidian is highly regarded for its connection to the root chakra and its ability to ground the user and ward off negative emotions. On top of that, it is also considered to be a “truth seeker” and can help users protect themselves from lies and deception. 

Black Obsidian is best used as grounding crystals near doorways and windowsills, but it can also be used as bracelets, pendants, and other low-impact jewelry. 

9. Hematite 

hematite bracelet
Hematite stones. See them here.

Hematite crystals are widely known for their dark yet shiny shades of silver, and although their texture is not very smooth or clear-cut like Obsidian, Hematite crystals are well regarded since early civilizations as a crystal that grants protection from negative energies. 

As such, Hematite crystals are synonymous with strength, protection, power, and courage. It’s another suitable option for a beginner’s collection because of the crystal’s versatility in protecting the user from negative energies of any realm, be it physical, mental, or spiritual. 

Hematite can also be fashioned into jewelry, whether that’s bracelets or necklaces. However, you can never go wrong by setting up a dedicated space inside your home, work desk, or apartment. 

Beginners can always refer to Hematite crystals whenever they feel vulnerable or require courage. However, despite their versatility, please note that Hematite crystals don’t go well with water. Instead, it’s better to polish and scrape away dust and dirt using an old and dry toothbrush. 

10. Selenite 

holding a selenite crystal
Selenite wand. See it here. 

Selenite crystals are mostly about dealing with the spiritual realm and a higher purpose. These pearl-white crystals are very soft and only hold a rating of 2 on the hardness scale, making them very vulnerable to physical damage.  

So even though it might be difficult to obtain jewelry that’s integrated with Selenite, you can always gather a set of Selenite crystals and place them around your home to improve your consciousness and allow for more spiritual energies. 

These crystals can open our minds to the spiritual, while also helping us stabilize our mood. Although they don’t have a lot of association with the physical, Selenite crystals are still an essential component of any starter kit.  

You never know when you might have an inkling to explore a higher realm, so it’s always a good idea to keep a Selenite crystal (or two) in your kit. 

Wrapping Up 

Although there are no rules when it comes to healing crystals, it’s more helpful and easier for beginners when they have a starter kit of the most essential crystals on hand.  

What makes the crystals on this list so beginner-friendly is that they are easy to use, cover most common ailments, and are very easy to cleanse and recharge.  

So hopefully, through this article, you’ve gained a better understanding of healing crystals and how you can pick out the best ones to suit your needs.  

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Dani Rhys
Dani Rhys

Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. She works as the chief editor of Symbol Sage but also takes the time to write on topics that interest her.