Although crystals started trending in the 1970s, they date back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used turquoise, topaz, and quartz to anoint the tombs of the dead and wore them as protective amulets. Ancient Greek soldiers used amethyst to fend off hangovers, something I can totally get behind.

Then, in the 1970s, the idea of holistic-based therapies that emphasized self-healing came into the limelight, bringing the popularity of crystals with it. Whether it’s for spiritual and/or religious reasons, the fact they are beautiful and fun to look at, or for their healing properties, crystals and their powers are here to stay.

What are healing crystals?

Here are the basics: various stones have healing energies that align with the seven chakras. Each chakra corresponds with nerves, organs, and our emotional/spiritual being. If an imbalance in a chakra occurs, energy stops flowing, resulting in physical or emotional illness.

Crystals allow positive, healing energy to flow into the body while pushing negative, toxic energy out.

Bring home the right piece

Generally, choosing the right crystal lies in your intuition. People often gravitate toward certain crystals, even if they have no reason to explain it. But, in case you need a starting point, here are a few of my favorite crystals and their powers:

• Amethyst: essential for cleansing and purifying; enhances an individual's own intuition and sense of spiritual freedom; ground and expand the mind
• Clear Quartz: the “master” healer, can amplify the energies of all other stones
• Rose quartz: the love stone, promotes love of all types (including radical self-love) and healing
• Citrine: the money stone, attracts wealth and abundance, and stimulates mental clarity and creativity

Ultimately, it’s about what resonates with you. Even if your reason is simply because it’s pretty (ahem, rose quartz! 💕), that’s reason enough.

How to use your crystals

According to lifestyle blogger, Kimia Madani, “Using, carrying and vibing with your crystals every day is the most effective way to manifest the goals, intentions and good energy you wish to attract into your life. Even the placement of the high-vibe stones on or near your body can amplify and enhance your emotional and spiritual well-being. Meditating with them? Total game-changer.

Of course, adorning yourself in crystal jewelry is another obvious choice. Not to mention they can be used to decorate and invite positive energy into the home. But if that all sounds like a lot as you're just starting out, achieving this can be as simple as carrying the stone with you in your pocket or purse.”

Be sure to check out our crystal jewelry if you want an easy way to start your crystal healing.

Don’t forget to clean them!

Just like your laptop or phone, your crystals contain a finite amount of energy and need to be charged regularly. This starts from the moment you buy them. You’ll want to first cleanse the crystal of any previous energy associate with it. There are a few easy methods to cleanse and recharge your crystals:

Smudging, my favorite way, consists of engulfing your stones in the smoke from an herb or wood, such as sage, to absorb and clear out any negative energies

Alternatively, you can leave them overnight under a full or new moon, submerge them in a bowl of spring water, or bury them in dirt overnight.

So, what are you waiting for? Find the right crystals for you and let your energy flow.