There are three common approaches: choose by the life theme you want to work on and match it to a crystal's qualities; work out which of the seven chakras most needs care right now and choose a stone for it; or simply pick the one you feel drawn to. The 35-question chakra test and the life path calculator here can help narrow it down.
Should I wear a crystal on my left or right hand?
The common folk principle is that receptive energy enters on the left and projective energy leaves on the right. Crystals for wealth, love and healing are worn on the left; those for protection and deflecting harm are worn on the right. Rose quartz and citrine usually go on the left, black tourmaline and obsidian on the right.
How often should a crystal be cleansed?
Once every one to two weeks is the usual suggestion, more often if you have been in crowded places or through emotional strain. Common methods are moonlight, a crystal cluster, or smoke from sage or sandalwood. Take care with water: gypsum-based stones, copper-bearing minerals and organic gems such as selenite, malachite, amber and pearl should not be soaked.
What are chakras, and how do they relate to crystals?
Chakras come from an ancient Indian energy system and refer to seven energy centres running up the body, each with its own life theme and colour. In crystal lore a stone's colour and character resonate with particular chakras — red tones with the root, green and pink with the heart, violet with the crown and third eye.
How is a life path number calculated?
Add every digit of your date of birth together; if the result has two digits, add again, until a single digit from 1 to 9 remains. For example 15 September 1989: 1+9+8+9+0+9+1+5 = 42, then 4+2 = 6, so the life path number is 6.
Crystal encyclopedia
Every crystal has its own full page covering what it does for body, mind and spirit, the chakra it belongs to, who it suits, which hand to wear it on, and how to cleanse and care for it.