But, first, an introduction:

Crystals are revered not just for their aesthetic appeal,  but also for the energies they possess- the unique vibrations they release can heal not just physical issues but mental and spiritual as well. Whether you believe this or not is of no consequence to starting your collection, although if I were to offer one piece of advice to any collector- it’s to keep an open mind. You’ll never know what you’ll discover in the process. 

Your body is a combination of the physical,  mental, and spiritual aspects of your being. Sadly, most people find it difficult to keep their lives balanced especially in this day and age where stressors are everywhere. So where do crystals come into the picture? The energies that crystals emit can flow through all three areas of  your being to help you balance the energy centers in your body (also referred to as chakras). Any imbalances in your chakras can lead to serious physiological and spiritual issues.

Of all the forms of energy healing, crystal healing is probably one of the most popular especially for beginners. Why? Because crystals are tangible: you can touch them, feel them, and explore every physical property that’s visible to you when you examine them closely.

I, for one, have crystals strategically placed all over my house, especially in my bedroom and office because these are areas of the house I spend most of my time. I have to admit that starting a crystal collection is quite daunting- there are so many to choose from and each type has its own unique healing energy. Some people choose specific crystals depending on their current issues and that’s a good way to start.

However, I do recommend adding certain essential crystals to your collection. I believe there are crystals that every collector should own, these are versatile crystals that work for everyone and once you start to use them for their healing properties, these crystals will form the backbone of your collection especially once you start to pair crystals to enhance their energies. 

Here are 7 crystals I recommend when starting your crystal collection. Why 7, you ask? Why not a round number like 5 or 10? Well, my reason for this is to make sure that you have at least one crystal that corresponds to each of the seven chakras (the energy centers along your spinal column).

Image Source: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com

Of all the crystals I own and have read about, clear quartz is arguably the most versatile. You should be able to find clear quartz in any crystal store (whether brick and mortar or online). It’s often available as tumbled stones, clusters, geodes, double-terminated, and as generators. 

Clear quartz is an amplifying crystal, meaning it amplifies the power of other crystals when used together. It is clear to milky white in color and corresponds not only with the crown chakra but with all other chakras as well. 

Aside from being compatible with all other crystals, clear quartz is also a self-cleansing crystal so you don’t have to cleanse it to get rid of negative energy. Not only is it self-cleansing but it can also be used to cleanse other crystals, especially if you have a large clear quartz cluster. Just place smaller stones on the cluster and leave them for about 12 hours or more to cleanse them of the negative energies that they’ve absorbed throughout the day or during meditation and healing practices.

Image source: Didier Descouens via wikicommons

Amethyst is a stone that has been highly revered for centuries. Its name is derived from the Greek word “amethystos” which means “not drunken”. As such, it is known as the stone of sobriety. In ancient history, the Greeks and Romans were known for having their goblets studded with amethyst stones to prevent drunkenness. 

Amethyst is a member of the quartz family and is commonly purple in color, although its color ranges from light purple to deep purple. It is a stone that corresponds with the third eye chakra and is often placed under the pillow or taped on the side of the bed near the place where the head usually rests to help people sleep better. Aside from preventing drunkenness, Amethyst also helps with insomnia, anxiety, safe travel, and intuition. As a sobriety stone, it is commonly used to help people who suffer from addiction. 

I have an amethyst geode pendant that I often use when traveling alone or when going out with friends for social drinking. I also use amethyst mala beads for meditation to connect with my “higher self” when there are important decisions to be made. 

Amethyst is a stone that amplifies universal energy and is therefore best paired with other crystals that also amplify energy. 

Citrine is a must-have for every crystal collector. It is a stone that amplifies positive energy and helps with self-esteem issues. It is also often referred to as “the merchant’s stone” as it helps with acquiring wealth and is often associated with business success, abundance, and prosperity. Natural citrine comes in a pale yellow color but you can also get heat-treated citrine (which is essentially heat-treated amethyst). If you want naturally occuring citrine, make sure to check the stone’s color: natural citrine is transparent and its colors range from pale yellow to golden yellow whereas heat-treated citrine typically comes in a more saturated yellow color. 

Natural and heat-treated citrine possess the same energy and properties but the naturally occuring kind is, of course, a lot more powerful. Citrine corresponds to the solar plexus chakra, which is responsible for self-esteem and setting boundaries. Citrine helps amplify your ability to assert your personal will and create healthy boundaries. 

I recommend you place citrine in your cash box if you run a business or place it strategically in the back left corner of your house or store to help you not only acquire wealth but also keep it. I sometimes put a citrine polished stone in my wallet as it helps minimize unnecessary spending. 

Image source: Maatpublishing 

Another form of quartz, smoky quartz is a stone that transforms negative energy into positive energy. It is a very powerful stone especially when it comes to balancing the energy of a place. If there’s too much negative energy in your home or place of work, I recommend you sprinkle smoky quartz chips around the place or place stones in strategic locations. It also helps to carry a tumbled stone of smoky quartz in your pocket to help ward off negative energy.

 It is associated with both the root and crown chakras even though its natural colors range from light gray to brown. While red is the color associated with the root chakra, black and brown crystals like smoky quartz, black tourmaline, and obsidian also help balance this chakra.  Many healers believe that you cannot balance other chakras or unblock them of negative energy without balancing your root chakra first. 

Image Source: Adam Ognisty 

Rose quartz, the stone of unconditional love, resonates with the heart chakra. While the heart chakra emanates the color  green, pink stones like rose quartz are deeply connected with this chakra as well. 

Its energy amplifies a person’s ability for compassion, kindness, and love. It is also associated with self-love. It comes in a pretty pink color and when polished, it’s a beautiful stone to use for necklaces. If you’ve suffered from betrayal or a breakup, rose quartz is an excellent stone for healing emotional wounds. 

I recommend you carry rose quartz with you when settling arguments to further enhance healing for both you and the other person involved. 

Image Source: Maatpublishing

Carnelian is associated with the sacral chakra (located on your abdomen right where the belly button is) and as such it helps with low self-esteem and self-image. It also helps with courage and creativity. 

In addition, it helps boost energy and creativity so whenever you feel a little low on energy or want to keep your creative juices flowing, carry carnelian with you in your pocket or keep one on your desk. I can personally attest to the effectiveness of carnelian especially when it comes to productivity. I usually keep a piece of carnelian along with lapis lazuli (the performer’s stone) on my work desk to help me focus on work and to give me an extra boost of energy.

As a healing stone, Carnelian is often prescribed for abuse victims, as abuse often takes away one’s personal power. Carnelian helps counteract the negative effects of abuse by helping victims develop a strong sense of self. It also helps boost courage and ensure personal safety. 

Turquoise is often referred to as a protection stone as it has long been believed to keep travelers safe, especially in ancient times when it was believed to protect riders from falling off their horses. It is a stone of the throat chakra and gives the wearer the courage to speak their truth. It also promotes luck and prosperity. 

Turquoise is a stone that absorbs and as such, it is calming and helps absorb excessive energy. It is also recommended to wear turquoise jewelry when you feel like your life is out of balance. As a stone of harmony, it helps keep your personal life in balance. 

I recommend placing turquoise in your bedroom and the family room to avoid conflicts and promote harmony in your relationships. 

These are just some of the crystals I recommend you keep at home or add to your collection. If you’ve just started your journey to discovering the world of crystals and their healing energies, I recommend that you follow your instincts and start with the stones that call out to you. Or, if you have specific problem areas in your life (whether personal or professional), you can start with stones that generate the energies necessary to help you balance your life and boost your health and happiness.