Healing crystals are natural stones that people wear, carry or meditate with as part of crystal traditions. The best known are amethyst, rose quartz, clear quartz, citrine and tiger's eye. Below are 50 popular healing crystals and stones, what each one is traditionally linked with, and how people use them.
One thing first: these are beliefs, not medicine. Crystals cannot fix a broken bone the way a doctor can. Many people simply find them a calming, meaningful reminder of how they want to feel.
What makes healing crystals special?
Slow, steady growth. Crystals are minerals that grew slowly, sometimes over millions of years, deep inside the Earth. Their atoms sit in a perfect repeating pattern, like a tiled floor that never moves.
The "steady energy" idea. Crystal traditions say this orderly pattern gives each stone a steady energy. When you feel worried or upset, the stone is said to help pull your energy back into balance. This is a belief, not a proven effect.
Easy to find. Luckily, most of the best-loved crystals are common and affordable.
Match crystals to the seven chakras
In many traditions, the body has seven energy centres called chakras. A popular way to choose a crystal is to match its colour to the chakra you want to focus on.
- Red, at the base of the spine: feeling safe and grounded.
- Orange, near the belly button: creativity and excitement.
- Yellow, just above the belly button: confidence and courage.
- Green or pink, at the centre of the chest: love and kindness.
- Blue, at the throat: speaking your truth clearly.
- Indigo, between the eyebrows: clear thinking and insight.
- Purple or clear, at the top of the head: peace and wisdom.
Top 50 healing crystals and stones
We have grouped the 50 stones by what people most often choose them for. Each meaning comes from crystal tradition.
Top rated gemstones for healing properties: the five favourites
If you are new to crystals, start here. These five are the most popular all over the world.
- Amethyst, "the calm-down stone": light lilac to deep violet. It is the best-known stone for a peaceful, quiet mind, like a gentle hug in a rock. Many people keep a small piece by the bed.
- Rose quartz, "the stone of love": soft, milky pink. It stands for love and kindness of every kind, for family, friends and yourself. It is also said to help you be gentle and forgiving with others.
- Citrine, "the success stone": sunny yellow to orange, like a pocket-sized sunbeam. It is linked with happiness, wealth, creativity and confidence, so many people choose it when starting a big project.
- Tiger's eye, "the courage stone": golden brown with shiny, wavy bands like a tiger's eye. It is linked with bravery, confidence and good decisions, and is a favourite before a speech, an exam or a big day.
- Clear quartz, "the amplifier": clear, see-through crystal. It is said to boost the energy of other stones and of your own intentions, clear negativity and sharpen focus. It is a must-have in any collection.
Crystals for calm and clear thinking
- Selenite: white and shimmery, like the moon. It is the "clean-up" stone, used to clear negative energy from spaces and from other crystals.
- Aquamarine: light blue, linked with calm and clarity.
- Fluorite: comes in many colours and is linked with focus and decision-making. Popular with students.
- Howlite: white with grey veins, linked with a calm mind.
- Lepidolite: purple, linked with calm and peace.
- Blue lace agate: light blue, linked with gentle calm and easy communication.
- Celestite: light blue, linked with calm and a sense of connection to the sky.
- Angelite: light blue, linked with peace and spiritual connection.
- Amazonite: green-blue, linked with calmer emotions and clear communication.
- Kyanite: blue, linked with communication and clearing negative thoughts.
- Apatite: blue-green, linked with motivation and focus.
- Iolite: purple-blue, linked with focus and overcoming challenges.
Crystals for love, kindness and emotional balance
- Rhodonite: pink and black, linked with forgiveness and compassion.
- Chrysoprase: green, linked with forgiveness and self-acceptance.
- Kunzite: pink, linked with love and calm.
- Morganite: pink, linked with love and relationships.
- Topaz: comes in many colours and is linked with love and joy.
- Peridot: green, linked with growth and positivity.
- Malachite: green with swirls, linked with emotional balance and protection from negativity.
- Coral: red or pink, linked with emotional balance.
- Amber: golden, linked with calmer emotions.
Crystals for luck, wealth and confidence
- Jade: light to deep green. An ancient good-luck charm, used for thousands of years for good fortune and harmony. A popular pocket stone when starting something new.
- Green aventurine: green, often with a sparkle inside. The "new opportunities" stone, linked with luck and abundance, and with the courage to try something new.
- Pyrite: also called "fool's gold", linked with attracting wealth and success.
- Carnelian: bright orange-red, like a small flame. Linked with creativity, confidence and a kick of energy to start a task.
- Garnet: red, linked with energy, strength, passion and motivation.
- Sunstone: orange and gold, linked with joy and energy.
- Bloodstone: green with red spots, linked with energy and courage.
- Spinel: comes in many colours, linked with energy and renewal.
- Zircon: comes in many colours, linked with protection and confidence.
Crystals for grounding and protection
- Black tourmaline: solid black. The best-known protection stone, said to soak up heavy, negative energy like a sponge so it does not stick to you. It is also linked with grounding and feeling safe, and is an affordable choice.
- Smoky quartz: grey-brown, linked with releasing negative energy.
- Hematite: metallic grey, linked with grounding and balance.
- Onyx: black, said to absorb negative energy. A popular protection stone.
- Obsidian: black volcanic glass, linked with emotional release and protection.
- Shungite: black, linked with grounding and protection from harmful energy.
- Turquoise: blue-green, a traditional stone of protection.
- Ammonite: a fossil with swirls, linked with balance and stability.
Also popular: jasper. In earth colours of red, brown and green, often with spots, jasper is a steady grounding stone. Many people carry it to feel secure in a new place.
Crystals for intuition, wisdom and spiritual growth
- Lapis lazuli: deep blue with gold flecks like stars. Linked with wisdom, learning and creativity. It is tied to the throat chakra, helping you speak the truth with kindness.
- Moonstone: white and shimmery, linked with intuition, emotions and new beginnings.
- Labradorite: a shimmering stone linked with intuition and creativity.
- Tanzanite: purple-blue, linked with intuition and higher thinking.
- Moldavite: green, linked with transformation and spiritual growth.
- Zoisite: green, linked with transformation and growth.
- Chrysocolla: blue-green, linked with creativity and balance.
How to use healing crystals and stones
You do not need to be an expert. These are the simplest ways:
- Carry them: keep a small tumbled stone in your pocket or bag and hold it when you need it.
- Wear them: set them in rings, necklaces or bracelets.
- Meditate with them: sit quietly, hold a stone and breathe slowly. Think about how you want to feel: calm, loved or brave.
- Create a calm space: place crystals on a desk, a shelf or in any room to make it feel peaceful and positive.
The real power is you. Think of a crystal as a friend that reminds you how strong you already are.
How to cleanse your crystals
Crystal traditions say stones pick up energy over time and need a gentle refresh.
- Moonlight: leave your stones on a windowsill or outside overnight during a full moon.
- A quick rinse: tough stones such as quartz, amethyst and jasper can be rinsed under cool running water for a few seconds. Never put selenite or moonstone in water.
- Selenite: place your other crystals next to a piece of selenite for a few hours.
Where to buy healing crystals
Choose genuine stones. Buy from a trusted store, such as Raza Gems, that tells you plainly what each stone is. Browse our natural gemstones or find your birthstone.
Want the science? Read our guide to the healing power of gemstones: myths vs facts.
Gemstone traditions are cultural beliefs, not medical advice. See our gemstone and healing disclaimer.