For
a long time I hated quartz.
I
mean, not hate hate. I just didn’t like it. I was utterly underwhelmed. I’m an April baby, which means that my birthstone is the diamond (though sometimes it’s listed as cubic zirconia or quartz.) That means all of my birthstone jewelry is clear. That means all of my birthstone jewelry is
ugly. This is especially when compared
to beautiful stones like July’s ruby, September’s sapphire, or even November’s
topaz.
Diamonds
and quartz and cubic zirconia are just boring. So when I first started to collect stones I’d
reach for the pretty ones – amethyst (of course), fluorite, and citrine. And then I began to move onto the colorful
ones like labradorite, jasper, and moonstone.
As
I’ve grown with my relationship with crystals, I’ve come to appreciate them
all, including (or especially) the ugly or boring ones. Sure, I typically still enjoy something shiny
and pretty like pyrite or a highly polished geode, but over the years I’ve come
to appreciate stones and crystals as not just adornments, but as magical
tools. I can wear a hematite pendant
when I want a little extra protection, and no one is going to notice it like
they would if I wore an elaborate amulet.
I can slip on a cute onyx ring and no one is going to look at it and
know that I’m in need of some grounding and stability in my life.
I’m
still not the biggest fan of diamonds (a lot of my issues with diamonds are
ethical ones coming from the diamond industry and the wedding-industrial complex) and cubic zirconia (I’m still trying to reconcile my relationship with
man-made stones) But I’ve started to appreciate
and even enjoy quartz.
According
to Wikipedia, it’s the “second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental
crust.” This has become abundantly clear
when browsing crystals online or in stores or shopping for other magical
tools. Quartz is everywhere. I’ve also come to realize that many of my more
prized crystals are really just different types of quartz, including citrine and amethyst. Quartz is also found in
other stones, like agate, onyx, carnelian, and jasper. So, it’s pretty hard to get away from it.
But
not only is it abundant and permeating, quartz is powerful, too. I’ve read many places over the years that say
that if you don’t have a certain gemstone quartz can stand in for anything that
you might need. It’s an energy amplifier,
and pairs well with pretty much everything.
It’s commonly used in the tips of wands or staffs, and it can be a great
addition to an altar or other special area as a way to increase the vibrations
of that space. Some special quartz also retains
energy, emotions, memories, and data, and these can be accessed through
meditations and visualizations.
I’ve
also come to realize that quartz is actually very beautiful. I have a few
clear quartz pieces I’ve managed to collect over the years, and I display them
proudly with my flashier chunks of pyrite, amethyst, and citrine. I use them in charms and rituals, and I have
a few placed strategically around the house where I think they might enjoy
themselves and also direct the energy in a way that is beneficial for everyone.
Just
because a crystal isn’t flashy (like labradorite) or pretty (like moonstone) or
really cool looking (like jasper) or found in every single new age store across
the globe (amethyst), I'm glad I gave quartz a chance. I stumbled upon a stone that became a favorite, as
well as being a versatile, powerhouse of energy.
So,
do you have any favorite crystals or gemstones?
What are your least favorite crystals or gemstones? Do you have anything that it took you a while
to work with but once you did you were happy with the results? Please share your thoughts in the comments! I’m always trying to learn more things about
crystals, and I’d love to hear from you!
In the meantime, clear skies!
Other crystals I've written about:
