How to Buy Proper Gemstones for Crystal Healing

Crystal healing works on the theory that crystals carry different vibrational rates. By placing them within your aura or personal atmosphere, practitioners believe you can affect change in your aura with regards to physical and emotional health. Many crystal healers conduct the healing process at home in order to treat conditions like headaches, indigestion, fatigue and inflammation. Good quality stones are necessary in order to ensure proper healing. Follow these steps to learn how buy the right gemstones for crystal healing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Various crystals
• Cash, since many jewelry and gemstone tradeshows only take cash

Selecting Gemstones

1. Be on the lookout for irradiation. This process is used by some dealers and is largely considered to be the worst of the artificial treatment processes used on stones. By bringing out color and removing imperfections, irradiation causes the stone to have weak, or even dead, energy.
2. Smell the stone. Coatings may have been applied to enhance color on such stones as Jasper, but ultimately this will weaken the gemstone leaving it with a dampened energy. These coatings may give off a strong smell.
3. Scan the stone for effects of a bad dye job. Dye makes the stones more colorful and is the most common process used by dealers. Look for uneven color distribution or color that can be rubbed off. This can lead to weak stone energy.
4. Avoid anything that looks too good to be true because it's probably a fake. Fakes exist for almost every type of gemstone available and these stones may appear to be perfect or flawless.
5. Ask questions. If you don't know what stone it is, ask. The dealer should be very well-informed. How the dealer answers your questions is a good way to find out how honest he or she is.
6. Know the three C's: color, clarity and cut. The color should be saturated but natural with good clarity and a shape that's desirable and free from excessive irregularities and imperfections.
7. Learn more about proper gemstones. Visit the "Mystical Soup" Web site for extensive information (see Resources below).

Where to Buy Gemstones

8. Visit a gemstone and jewelry show. You'll see items first hand and be able to speak with a variety of dealers.
9. Shop online. Authenticity may be questionable, but selection is usually the best. Sometimes prices are better if you buy in large quantities.
10. Request catalogs. Many free-standing stores or dealers also have expanded catalogs which may be available upon request.
11. Check out free-standing stores. Stores geared toward jewelry-making often have a diverse selection of stones that can also be used for crystal healing. Be sure to inquire about treatment processes, as some stones used in jewelry may have been color-enhanced.

Tips & Warnings

• Cost will vary depending upon where you buy the crystals. The Internet may yield the best low-cost results, but authenticity cannot be determined until you have received the product.
• Severe symptoms such as heartbeat irregularity, insomnia or memory loss should be evaluated by a medical professional.
• Crystal healing is not a proven science and results do vary.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.