As wellness-obsessed stars such as Adele, Lizzo and Gwyneth Paltrow step up their pursuit of self-improvement, crystal healing shops have seen a boom. But are these metaphysical stones ethically sourced?

Rose quartz attracts love while citrine deflects negativity; yet how can you be sure that the crystal in which you placed your trust hasn’t contributed to human trauma or environmental destruction?

Choosing a Crystal

Crystals can be an integral component of meditation, feng shui and other holistic practices for physical/emotional healing and spiritual development. To select an ideal crystal for you, start by setting an intention which will narrow down the options available to you.

To enhance emotional harmony and emotional balance, try selecting rose quartz – known for its soft pink hue and ability to foster love and healing – or amethyst; both stones possess grounding properties with relaxing properties which may help release negative energy while stimulating spiritual development.

Visit a crystal shop if possible so you can choose your own stones (tumblestones). Start by inspecting each stone for color, shape and texture before following your intuition – select one which speaks to you; this could include choosing one which feels comfortable in your hand while sparking positive associations or choosing online with closed eyes to find which image stands out most strongly from all the options presented.

Identifying Your Intention

Before selecting a crystal, it is crucial to establish your intention and select one that aligns with it. Be it clarity, grounding, love or protection – when combined, their energy creates an incredible synergy that helps achieve results quickly and efficiently.

Some shops specialize in specific healing stones or elixirs, like black tourmaline for its grounding properties and rose quartz for its emotional balance properties. Others prioritize conscious sourcing with vendors and partners to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for employees.

Though many stores pride themselves on mindfully sourcing their products, many also provide helpful tips for using and cleansing crystals. Some common methods of cleansing include running them under running water and smudging (using medicinal herb smoke to cleanse), which both help remove any negative energies from your crystal so it can serve your intentions more fully. It’s recommended that at least once each month crystals be cleansed by either running them under running water or placing them on a crystal charging plate in sunlight or moonlight for additional energy cleansing.

Using a Crystal

Crystal healing may not have scientific backing, but many have reported experiencing its therapeutic benefits. Plus, their beautiful designs add some positive vibes.

Start using crystals by holding or placing one where it feels good – even wearing one around your neck as part of your daily life can bring benefits! To begin, try holding or placing the stone either directly in your hands, or wearing it as a necklace throughout the day.

If you’re having difficulty selecting the ideal crystal, Panzarella suggests using either rose quartz (known for its love-attracting qualities) or clear quartz point as they both amplifies intentions and bring clarity to the mind.

Once you’ve discovered a crystal that resonates with you, write out your intentions or goals on paper and place the crystal over them. This technique works for any stone; however pyrite and amethyst tend to be particularly effective for manifesting health, wealth and abundance.

Keeping a Crystal in Your Home

Crystals make beautiful additions to any home decor, featuring their natural textures and shapes that blend perfectly into styles from boho to minimalist. However, using crystals at home goes beyond aesthetics – ancient practices like Feng Shui suggest they can help cleanse and improve the energy within an environment as well.

Crystal storage containers should be constructed from durable materials to protect their stones from wear and tear. Consider purchasing one with built-in dividers or compartments for optimal organization and easy access.

Cleansing and recharging crystals regularly are crucial to their healing properties, with running water being an easy method. You may also use smoke from herbs like sage or palo santo to purify them further, with sound vibrations like singing bowls or tuning forks also providing cleansing effects. Burying your crystals into the earth is another powerful technique for cleansing them as they reconnect them with nature.