Earlier this year I worked with Gemporia when they launched The Diamond Room, which meant I spent a lot of time eyeing up crystals and gemstones like Scrooge McDuck. During my research for the piece I came across quite a few sites that claimed certain types of crystals and gemstones possess healing qualities, and so I’ve decided to explore this assertion to see whether there is anything to it. After all, evidence and proof should always precede belief.
The Power of Crystals & Gemstones
I suppose it’s best to begin with all the healing powers crystals and gemstones are said to possess. Here we go:
Crystals In History
Though many assume the use of crystals and gemstones became popular in mainstream culture due to the New Age movement, humanity has actually been using them for thousands of years. Numerous ancient civilisations and religious texts mention crystals and gemstones, often turning them into talismans and amulets to heal an assortment of ailments. Here are just a few ancient societies, as well as some modern day religions, that used crystals and gemstones in everyday life:
Ancient Egypt: Few civilisations have used crystals and gemstones more than the Ancient Egyptians. They buried their dead with quartz to guide them safely to the afterlife, whilst living Pharaoh’s carried quartz in cylinders to balance their Ba and Ka energies. Royal women also used crushed Lapis Lazuli as eye makeup to increase enlightenment and dancers would place rubies around their navels to enhance their sexual appeal.
Ancient Greece: The word crystal actually comes from the Ancient Greek ‘krustullos,’ meaning ‘ice’, as they believed some gemstones were sent from the heavens as eternal ice. Amethyst also means ‘not drunken’ and was used to prevent drunkenness and hangovers. However, the Ancient Greeks’ favourite gem appears to be hematite which they rubbed on soldiers’ bodies as protection.
India: Crystals are frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine to promote emotional and metaphysical balance.
Ancient China: The Chinese were borderline obsessed with jade, creating jewellery, instruments, death masks and even armour out of the gem. It was thought to possess healing vibrations as well as love essence.
Ancient Japan: The Japanese have been scrying for centuries, using crystal quartz spheres which represented the heart of a dragon and signified power and wisdom to connect with psychic energy.
Native Americans: Particularly popular amongst the Cherokee, crystals were often found in Native American homes to reflect the sunlight throughout the day. Many also hid crystals on their bodies, except for the red and white chiefs who wore large crystals proudly.
Christianity: There are over 200 references to crystals in The Bible, which isn’t surprising considering the Pagan society many early Christians lived in. Revelations goes on about gemstones quite a bit whilst describing God’s heavenly city New Jerusalem, whilst in the Old Testament High Priests wore breastplates featuring 12 sacred stones (aka birthstones).
Islam: Not only is the fourth Heaven made entirely out of garnet, Muhammad himself wore a Carnelian ring. Author Jameel Kermalli wrote in his book ‘Islam: The Absolute Truth‘: “In Islam a tradition states that Ali used to wear four rings on his hand-Opal (Yaqut) for beauty and dignity; Turquoise (Feruz) for obtaining Divine help and victory; Hadid Thin for strength , and Carnelian (Aqiq) to protect himself from enemies and all types of misfortune.” This led many muslims to wear similar rings to amplify their faith.
Hinduism: The Hindu Vedas mention crystals frequently, specifically sapphires which increase clarity and mental balance, and jasper which aids harmony, sexual vitality, and balances base chakras.
Buddhism: A 7th Century text references a diamond throne under The Tree of Knowledge where numerous Kalpa Buddhas relaxed. The medicine Buddha is even named “Healing Master of Lapis Lazuli Radiance”.
Many of these ancient traditions have been passed down through generations and are often applied in New Age holistic and alternative medicine today.
How Do Crystals and Gemstones Work?
According to Energy Muse, our bodies and quartz crystals are both made up of mineral silicon-dioxide, causing a natural connection and our ability to feel vibrations from crystals. “When crystals are placed directly on your body, they have a powerful vibratory effect that surges from the crystal to you,” Energy Muse explains. “According to the law of physics, thoughts direct energy and energy follows thought.”
Benjamin Dean of Crystal Cure explains further, stating: “Keep in mind that our entire bodily system is nothing more than energy that shows up in various patterns and densities. Our thoughts and our feelings are connected to our physical bodies and have a density of their own.
“Each stone resonates with a slightly different pattern geometrically. These same geometric patterns reside in our systems, organs, etc,” Dean continues. “To hold a Rose Quartz up to our heart is to ask the structural patterns active in our subtle bodies to align themselves and operate effortlessly and with purity. Any unresolved heart issues will be challenged to break up, allowing us to let go of whatever is distorting our energies. One often experiences a flash of imagery around the past experience that initially caused the distortion.”
Soular Energy adds that the crystal’s connection to Mother Earth is the source of the energy. As crystals form they experience heating, cooling and displacement, which influences the kind of energy field, colour and vibration each stone will have. SE explains: “Each stone is made up of minute crystals which are in constant motion thus emitting an energy signature or frequency. The gemstone’s colour also plays a dynamic role in the stone’s healing energy. The play of light and colour can stimulate or calm; purify or heal.”
Crystals and Gemstones: Real Magic or Mere Rocks?
In 2011, Psychologist Dr. Christopher French, of Goldsmith’s College London, performed an experiment to see whether crystals held any real power. Dr. French gathered 80 volunteers and handed half of them real quartz crystals during meditation, whilst the rest received crappy plastic crystals under the guise they were also genuine.
All of the volunteers were asked to report any sensations they experienced whilst in contact with the crystals. These included tingling, increased focus, emotional balance, heat in the hand, more energy, comfort, less tension in the forehead, heightened swallowing reflex and “activation of all levels of consciousness”, whatever that feels like.
Of the eighty surveyed, only six reported feeling no changes. Others experienced various sensations, with the most common being elevated heat in the hands and increased focus. Most interestingly, those who held real crystals and those who had fake crystals had extremely similar experiences.
“The fact that the same effects were found with both genuine and fake crystals,” Dr. French states, “undermines any claims that crystals have the mysterious powers which they are claimed to have.”
This study, amongst others, has led many to conclude that crystals and gemstones create nothing more than a placebo effect. Still, although crystals may not work in the same way believers say they do, a placebo effect is still an effect. The fact that beliefs and thoughts surrounding random objects can have a physical impact at all is fascinating, even if the object itself is powerless.
When Crystals And Gemstones Don’t Work
Of course, although there is nothing wrong with experiencing and believing in a placebo effect, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest crystal healing or therapy can cure patients with serious diseases or illness. Despite this, there are numerous websites that claim crystals can cure HIV, Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Scoliosis and more. Strangely enough, many of those who suggest crystals have magical healing powers often benefit financially from their customer’s naivety. Although, I must say that many of them do mention that they should be used in conjunction with actual medical treatment, so they’re not completely evil or anything.
Conclusion
Whether you believe that crystals and gemstones possess magical powers, minute molecules that vibrate with our gunky insides or are tiny chunks of Mother Earth herself, there’s really no harm in it. Sure, the scientific studies don’t support the idea that a shiny gemstone is anymore likely to boost your self esteem than a raggedy pebble is, but maybe they don’t need to. After all, throughout history human civilisation has been attaching meaning and power to all sorts of things in an attempt to experience some sort of comfort. In the end, it’s the belief in that meaning that holds real power and whatever makes it easier for you to deal with your life is no business of mine.
That said, crystals will not cure your cancer or HIV, so don’t be dumb and always seek real medical advice.
