How to Choose the Best Healing Crystals for Your Needs

Healing crystals are omnipresent on the Instagram feeds of wellness influencers. These gemstones and minerals may have more power than meets the eye. In fact, I started my own crystal journey back in 2016, and I've since become so obsessed that I'm about to become a licensed crystal therapist.

But since I'm new to the game, I wanted to tap a few experienced crystal therapists to learn exactly what each crystal is said to do. And I was happy to learn that some of the prettiest stones may also be the most helpful. Hot tip: Grabbing the first crystal that catches your eye also probably has a little extra ~*magic*~ to it.

Millennial pink hue aside, rose quartz is truly one of the most beautiful, feminine, and powerful healing crystals. "It's the ultimate love stone," says Audrey Kitching, a healing crystal therapist and the owner of e-boutique Crystal Cactus. "Especially self-love, though. Use this crystal to cultivate forgiveness and gentleness for your past as you work on forging a new way forward," Kitching says.

Rose quartz also works when you want to attract a new relationship or love yourself more as it emits strong vibrations from the heart, say Heather Askinosie and Timmi Jandro, owners of healing-crystal boutique Energy Muse and authors of Crystal Muse: Everyday Rituals to Tap Into the Real You

. "Rose quartz helps to raise your self-esteem, restore confidence, and balance emotions."

If there were ever to be just one healing crystal to be named the OG, it'd be amethyst. It not only has a litany of vibrational energies but also happens to be the mystical hue ultra-violet, the 2018 Pantone Color of the Year. "Amethyst is known to have a soothing and relaxing effect, calming fears, lifting the spirit, while also mediating anger and impatience," says Kitching.

Since it's also a natural stress reliever and sleep inducer, according to Askinosie and Jandro, keep a piece of amethyst in your bedroom to help you snooze and at your desk to manage deadline anxiety. (Also try these essential oils for anxiety and stress relief.)

Nicknamed "Liquid Light" by the Energy Muse owners, selenite is believed to have cleansing effects. "Not only does it have its own vibrational energy," says Kitching, "but it also cleanses and charges all other healing crystals, sacred spaces, and the like the same way smudging sage or palo santo would."

Askinosie and Jandro add that it can be used to keep your personal boundaries clear, giving you the ability to unblock stagnant or negative energy. I leave a mini selenite tower in the four corners of my apartment (along with its negative-energy-busting BFF, black tourmaline) to keep bad vibes out.

Known colloquially as the "Force Field Protector," black tourmaline is famous among healers and shamans for its protective, grounding qualities. "It heals physically, spiritually, and emotionally," says Kitching. "Black tourmaline is one of the most protective crystals, banishing negative energy and vibes."

I like to toss it in my gym bag for some extra focus on those not-entirely-feeling-it days. (See: The Non-Yogi's Guide to the 7 Chakras)

Amber is one of the most important stones for women, despite not being one of the more famous ones, like rose quartz or amethyst. "Commonly prescribed by crystal therapists for depression and anxiety, amber helps to heal your emotions by absorbing lower energy frequencies that steal your optimism and drive for life, and replacing them with empowering, positive energy," says Kitching. (These four steps to a confident mindset can help empower you too.)

Although I could argue I'm a relatively driven woman, placing an obelisk tower of rainbow fluorite on my desk helps me to think more clearly and focus more intently. "Fluorite possesses the magical ability to cleanse and stabilize the aura by absorbing and neutralizing lower vibrations and stress," says Kitching. "It helps to purify the mind of clutter and assist you in organizing your priorities," add Askinosie and Jandro.

Sometimes referred to as the veritable Xanax of healing crystals, lepidolite is said to help you dream more vividly and sleep more soundly. It may also help break any negative behavioral patterns. (I've been toting it around to ensure I don't yell at anyone on the NYC subways.) "Lepidolite assists in the release and reorganization of old psychological patterns, gently inducing change. It brings deep emotional healing and soothing energies while reducing stress and depression," says Kitching. And that's specifically because, according to Askinosie and Jandro, "lepidolite naturally contains lithium, making it an anti-depression/anxiety star." I suggest putting it under your pillow (no ingesting it!), so it's closer to your third-eye and crown chakras, which are located on your forehead and top of head, respectively.

Channel your inner goddess with rainbow moonstone, sometimes called the "Destiny Maker," the crystal of new beginnings and fertility. "Moonstone's energy is super important for giving you the confidence to stick with new goals, missions, and paths, as well as fertility in every aspect of the word," says Kitching. "Think of fertile soil when planting a garden. Moonstone will help give you the grounding structure needed for a new start."

Another stone that'll make you feel sexy? Tangerine quartz, say Askinosie and Jandro. "Tangerine quartz promotes creativity, emotional balance, and sensuality. It reminds you to keep a healthy balance between the giving and receiving aspects of your relationships with friends, family, and partner." And perhaps most germane to all women is that it's a real body-image booster—carry some around when you're feeling less than stellar but need to have total game face on.

"Around 2 billion years old, shungite absorbs and eliminates negative energy, say Askinosie and Jandro. Many healers make sure to carry it with them when traveling to deflect EMF rays from the X-ray machines.

Garnet is the unofficial stone of sexytime—or, at least, I carry it around when I want to feel sexy. "Garnet cleanses the aura, stimulates desires, and uplifts your attitude," say Askinosie and Jandro. Kitching doubles down on that, saying that garnet is the "stone of passion and energy that ensures the smooth flow of that energy throughout the body. It helps you feel more grounded and connected to yourself in the present moment." Leaving a piece on your nightstand (again, maybe with some self-loving rose quartz) may help boost your bedroom activities.

Just call chrysocolla the girl power healing crystal, as it represents empowered femininity, grace, intuition, and truth. "It not only promotes clear communication and expression, but also increases your capacity to love," say Askinosie and Jandro. "Chrysocolla encourages compassion, teaching that genuine power is best expressed through gentleness." It's a great gift for the matriarchs in your life—think Mom, Grandma—as it's the stone of wise women everywhere, especially after the birth of a child when women are required to step into a new caretaking role.

Blue apatite, despite its similar-sounding name, actually helps to nix your appetite and governs personal willpower and healthy choices—holistic healers will often prescribe blue apatite for weight loss and/or obesity-related issues. "Blue apatite motivational and inspirational crystal ... clears your mind, strengthens your personal power, and stimulates creativity," say Askinosie and Jandro. Whenever I keep a piece of blue apatite by me during mealtimes, I find that I eat my food more mindfully. Of course, I haven't stepped on the scale to confirm any purported weight-loss benefits.