Crystals = Minerals = Healing by Atelier of Life

Crystals have been used throughout history for meditative, medical, religious, artistic and spiritual purposes. When crystals entered my life a little over ten years ago, I had been looking for something more. It was actually a reconnection — as a little girl, I was always bringing home stones. I was told by my parents one too many times, ”What’s with you and these rocks? You can’t have so many!” Yet, stones and crystals made me feel good, and they still do – especially now that I am consciously aware of their powers and potential. When I teach classes and workshops, I summarize the relationship as this :

Crystals = Minerals = Healing.

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A crystal is a solid material comprised of units, such as molecules or atoms, that are arranged in a highly organized structure (usually undetectable to the naked eye). A mineral is a naturally occurring structure with an ordered chemical structure. There are minerals necessary for human survival – major minerals for required larger amounts (including electrolytes) and trace minerals meaning smaller amounts are necessary. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Trace minerals include iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, and molybdenum.

Quartz crystal, for example, is a major part of the Earth’s continental crust. Because of the chemical structure of quartz, the overall chemical formula is SiO (representing 2 atoms of oxygen for 1 atom of silicon). Quartz is known as a semiprecious stone. It can be naturally occurring as well as manufactured. Quartz is frequently used to build items such as watches, radios, and computers. This is due to quartz crystals’ piezoelectric properties which means that a material can change a mechanical force into electricity, or the reverse. Quartz is also used for crystal healing. Within that field, it is considered a power stone and is often referred to as the “Universal Crystal” because of its many uses with energy, clarity, protection, and healing.

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Crystal Care 101

  1. Cleanse/release any energy that is not in harmony with yours by bathing the stone in the smoke of white sage, palo santo or in warm water with Himalayan salt. Make a clear intention for cleansing as you do this.
  2. Program or dedicate your stone. I like using the word awake, because it is about awakening the connection between you and the stone.
  3. Energize the stone by placing it in the sun or in the moonlight for an hour, up to a week.



Article written by Cephora Crystal at for Issue 0 of The Know Cultural Alamanac