Crystal Health Disclaimer

⚠️ There is no clinical or medical evidence to support the use of Crystals for Physical, Psychological, or Emotional purposes. Nor is there any scientific evidence to support any claims of metaphysical attributes and properties. You should not disengage with or ignore any professional advice or symptoms, and crystals should be used as a complement to existing treatments and ailments. No information provided at Larinas Labyrinth should be taken as medical or other expert advice.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Crystal Encyclopedia

To learn more about your faviourite crystal, click on the first letter of its name, and then follow the prompts to find the metaphysical attributes.

What Shape Crystal should I buy?

The shape of your crystal will reflect your intention to use it—it might be purely for ornamental purposes. However, if you are into the metaphysical attributes, each crystal has a purpose and function, On this page, we offer names, descriptions, and suggestions for using each of the shapes to maximise the intention. Scroll down for more information.

Rough/Raw/ Mineral

Raw crystals are also called 'rough' (and differ from the 'crystal in the rough'). Raw or rough usually means that they are unprocessed, uncut, without further refinements, and less handled by people before they reach you. Many prefer their crystals to be as natural as possible because they believe they emit a stronger (often sporadic) and unadulterated energy, and support a person to remain grounded in the present.

Crystal in the Rough

A crystal in the rough is a naturally formed crystal that remains attached to the host rock on which it has grown. They are usually found as specimens and sold as' crystals in the rough' and are popular with mineral collectors for their unique form. Often these crystals are 'gem quality' and removed from the host, and made into gemstones for jewellery collections.Crystal enthusiasts and metaphysicians believe they emit a stronger and unadulterated energy to the polished and refined crystals.

Single-Faceted Crystal

Single-faceted crystals are created by cutting a larger crystal into smaller pieces and polishing one side to enhance its colours. They are less processed and preferred by people who love crystals and like them to be processed as little as possible before reaching them. They are popular with mineral collectors and crystal enthusiasts. Metaphysicians believe they emit the same energy as a rough crystal and enjoy the tactile sensation when holding them in their hands while meditating. Other times, a metaphysician will keep them in the environment to emit ambient energy.

Geode/ Cave

Geodes are naturally occurring hollow rocks, often called 'crystal caves'. Within the hollow of the rock, there is a crystal lining. They commonly contain clear quartz, amethyst, celestite, and agates (to name a few). Collectors and mineral enthusiasts enjoy geodes for their formations and colours, usually as specimens or for ornamental value. Crystal lovers, enjoy them for their inherent healing attributes, ambient energy, and other healing properties specific to the crystal type within the geode. Geodes are believed to carry the same vibrational healing properties as the raw crystal, emitting a stronger and more grounding healing energy, encouraging energy flow, offering internal healing, and cleansing and purifying. Crystal enthusiasts may use amethyst geodes to cleanse other crystals.

The Druzy

A druzy is a naturally occurring phenomenon in which tiny crystals form and appear as a sparkling layer on the surface of a larger rock or mineral. They are densely packed and give a shimmering or sparkling effect.. They commonly occur on quartz and agates. They are often used in jewellery but are also desirable for those who wish to place them in the environment to experience the ambient metaphysical attributes.

The Cluster

The crystal cluster is a group of numerous crystals that form and grow together on a shared base (the matrix). They have many points that radiate outwards, and they can include different types of crystals that do not interfere with the natural growth process of the other crystals. They grow in an open space that does not interfere with the cluster's natural formation and supports the growth of the individual points. Each point is well-formed with clearly defined faces and edges. The crystals will have a symmetry typical of their specific mineral type. Crystal collectors enjoy their structures and are popular as specimens with collectors. Crystal enthusiasts believe the clusters radiate energy outwards, particularly related to the mineral attributes. Each point of the cluster is said to hold an individual power and energy; the larger the cluster, the more intensity radiates from it. Energetically, they are popular within the metaphysical industry because they are said to encourage unity and act as an energiser within their environment.

The Family Cluster

Family clusters are clusters of crystals in which one crystal is much larger than the others and surrounded by smaller ones of varying sizes. Typically, people are attracted to family clusters that reflect the number of family members, with smaller points of varying sizes surrounding the larger one, symbolising their children or spouse. Energetically, it is believed that a family cluster will support harmony within the home and the family unity when placed in the shared environment.

The natural quartz type tower usually has a natural hexagonal shape with six sides meeting at a six-sided point. Typically, they will be wider at the base. However, they can be carved to be even on all sides. Some towers may be octagonal (8 sides) and are generally marketed for chakra healing purposes. Depending on the size of the tower, it is often cut and polished at the base to create stability. Some towers are less distinctive and naturally formed and will be of different materials. Towers are excellent for transmitting ambient energy into the environment. Depending on the tower size, you can also hold it during meditation or place it nearby.

The Tower

The Generator

Crystal generators have a distinctive geometric shape, with a flat base and pointed six-faceted tip. The sides are not always carved, and the tip is believed to concentrate and amplify energy. They are usually made from quartz but are also carved from other minerals. They make beautiful ornaments and are popular for their metaphysical attributes and ambient energies. Energy workers and metaphysicians use them for healing, gridding, or meditation. In grid and healing work, energy is believed to enter through the base and out through the point directly to the area requiring an energy 'boost'.

The Obelisk

The obelisk typically has four equal sides that taper upwards to the point, which is generally four-sided. It is carved to a flat base and is ideal for standing (stable form). Depending on its size, it can also be used for meditation or as part of a healing grid. It can be used as an ornament and will emit ambient energy associated with its inherent crystal attributes.

Cubes

A cube is a naturally formed crystal shape growing upon a host rock. The perfectly formed square is more rare (although not rare), making it popular with collectors as specimens. For metaphysicians, cubes are believed to offer grounding, sometimes protection, and benefits when meditating. Often, the cube is removed from the host rock for ease of use when holding. They can also be placed as ornaments in the environment for ambient energy dispersion. Care should be taken with your cubes, especially cube clusters, as depending on the cube type, they may be adversely affected by exposure to air and must be in a display cabinet.

Slices

Mineral slices are slices of a bigger 'rock' that have usually been sliced and then polished on both 'faces' to enhance the colour and appearance of any of the crystals' unique details, such as stripes. They tend to be more popular with specimen collectors than crystal enthusiasts; however, they allow enthusiasts to collect without worrying about freight costs if they have to order it from overseas. Enthusiasts believe the slices emit ambient energy within the environment where they are placed, and some people will meditate with the slices. Crystal enthusiasts will often use a slice as an ornament, as part of experiencing 'ambient energy'.

Tumbled Cubes

Tumbled cubes are not naturally formed and have been processed with cuts from a bigger rock to be square and then polished to remove the rough edges. Equally the 'square eduges' have been tumbled off, and they are not perfect 'squares'. They are popular as chakra balancing sets, for meditation, for people to place out as ornaments, or under their pillows for ambient healing attributes.

Tumbled Stones

Tumbled stones or crystals are the smaller part of a larger mineral, unsuitable for carving and often not considered suitable for jewellery making. They are usually the leftover pieces of a bigger carving, set aside to sell as tumbled, although in some instances, they are mined with the intention of tumbling. Usually, we consider tumbled and polished stones smaller stones (less than 3cm or less) that hold no value to collectors but are considered valuable to metaphysicians, as chakra balancers, or for making crystal elixirs. Larger Tumbled stones are what is called 'freeform shapes'. (CAUTION: Some crystals contain toxic minerals and are unsuitable for ingestion, prohibiting them from being used as an elixir. Other crystals are not suitable for water immersion. See our section on "Toxic Crystals".)

Free Form

Freeform crystals are part of a larger rock or mineral that has not been cut to a specific shape but instead polished and tumbled to the free shape. They are popular as ornaments because they are usually polished to highlight their natural colours or features, such as stripes or spots. Metaphysicians also enjoy them for their metaphysical healing attributes.

Single Terminated Points

Single terminated points are naturally formed crystals that have usually broken away from a larger cluster. They are 'open' on one end, and pointed at the other end. Crystal healers use clear quartz single-terminated points as part of their treatments, where it is believed that energy enters through the 'open end' and exits in a focused and pointed direction to a person, part of a person or a crystal. For instance, they may place a tumbled stone over a chakra and surround it with crystal points, directed to amplify the stone's natural healing attributes, which is believed to strengthen the healing of a specific chakra.

Double Terminated Points

Double-terminated points are naturally forming points that are naturally pointed at both ends. They are believed to transfer energy from both ends of the crystal, enhancing the flow of healing energy. An example of a double-terminated crystal point is the Herkimer Diamond. They are popular with metaphysicians as part of Crystal Healing treatments and for gridding.

Twin Points

A twin-point crystal is a naturally occurring crystal that grows with and attaches to another crystal. The 'join' is clearly visible, and the crystals have two separate points (one of which is usually longer than the other). Sometimes, the twins will angle at each other at the tip, but they are still clearly attached. Twin-point crystals are popular with crystal enthusiasts and metaphysicians because they are believed to support balance, enhance communication and cooperation, and bring harmony to relationships.

When the twin points are the same length, they are believed to be a 'soulmate' or 'twin flame' point, which attracts your soul mate or strengthens the telepathic communication between you and your loved one. Other beliefs include working with your soul mate to uncover karmic links (and heal them). When a person is not in a romantic relationship (and has no desire to do so), the twin is believed to help create and heighten internal balance and independence. Attributes of the crystal include the balancing of yin/yang, masculine and feminine individual energy and unifying them, giving a greater sense of internal unity and wholeness.

Palm Stones

Any stone can be used as a 'palm stone' if it comfortably fits into the centre of your hand. However, those marketed as palm stones tend to be polished smoothly, oval-shaped, or round to increase the holder's comfort. When used for meditation, it is believed that holding it in the non-writing hand increases energetic receptivity. They are most commonly used as tools for meditation and crystal healing energy. While they can be used as 'worry' stones, they differ from a worry stone because of their shape and size.

Worry Stones

Worry stones are similar to palm stones and can be used in the same way; however, they are smaller and designed for handling when feeling stressed or anxious. They are usually smaller and thinner, and they have a hollowed-out area for the thumb to rub against them. They fit easily into a pocket or a handbag. It is believed that handling them supports receiving the healing attributes of the crystal they are carved from.

Eggs

Crystal eggs are popular both for ornamental value and for metaphysical value. They are carved from a bigger rock and come in a variety of sizes. While many believe that the shape reflects fertility, others believe that it is only if the egg is carved from a crystal that carries the attributes of fertility that it will promote creativity, pregnancy and procreation. The smaller sizes are currently popular for women, marketed as 'yoni eggs' as part of repairing muscles after childbirth, or to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles where there is a weakness.

Spheres

Spheres are carved from larger rocks and are popular with crystal enthusiasts and collectors. Quartz spheres (of varying colours) are also popular with the metaphysical industry and workers for 'scrying' or 'gazing'. However, they are believed to send ambient energy into the environment aligned with the crystal attributes from which they have been sourced.

Pyramids

Pyramids are carved from larger rocks and tend to be more popular with crystal enthusiasts, metaphysicians, and crystal healers. The shape is believed to energise the natural crystal attributes because of its associations with 'sacred geometry,' enhancing any healing activities. When using or working with a pyramid, the energy collects at the apex (top point) and is channelled down and through the base, when 'channelling universal energy downwards'. To release energy to the Universe, the pyramid is turned upside down, so that the energy goes through the point from the person, and then back to the Universe. When working with the pyramid, you should hold it in your non-writing (or non-dominant hand). Pyramids are believed to enhance energy and create a vortex because of the geometry of their shape.

Wands

Crystal 'wands' come in a variety of shapes and styles, and not all are polished. The basic wand can be anywhere between 8 cm long and even up to 90cm long. Those wands carved from rock minerals tend to be narrower at the base and wider toward the top end. They are not shaped to have a point. These types of wands are more likely to be used as massage tools; however, they can also be used for ritual and healing work if desired.

Selenite wands can be rough and unpolished and as long as 90cm. They are usually used for energy work and healing purposes. Other, less majestic selenite wands can be used for clearing and purifying the aura. Thicker selenite wands can be called charging plates, 'logs,' or even rulers, and while they are not used as wands, they are used for clearing and charging other crystals. Selenite wands are multipurpose for energy workers.

Carvings

Crystal carvings are popular as ornaments and healing talismans whether a person enjoys the concepts of metaphysical attributes or not. However, for many people, the shape of the carving adds to the crystal's natural attributes. This will often include symbolism and animal symbolism. For instance, a crystal carved in the shape of a heart is believed to promote 'love'. A crystal associated with connecting to the higher realms and light beings is believed to be more powerful when carved in the shape of an angel. For Christians, a cross-shaped carving in the image of Christ or the Crucifix may indicate ease of connection when they pray. Dependent on a person's faith, a moon might symbolise connection to Goddess energy and intuition, especially when carved from a crystal with those attributes. There is no hidden meaning or symbolism for other people, simply an appreciation of a work of art.