Crystals are defined as solid minerals, in which component ions, atoms, and molecules are arranged in a regular structure. It is this orderly arrangement of the constituent particles that gives all types of crystals a straight edge and flat surface. Examples of common crystals include sugar, gemstones, rubies diamonds, etc. Each type possesses a specific shape and different properties, based on which they are classified.
There are seven crystal systems or groups, each of which have a distinct atomic lattice. The atomic lattice is a three-dimensional network of atoms that are arranged in a symmetrical pattern. The shape of the lattice determines not only which crystal system the stone belongs to, but all of its physical properties and appearance.
In some crystal healing practices, the axial symmetry of a crystal is believed to directly influence its metaphysical properties.
Cubic System
Also known as the isometric system, all three axes are of equal length and intersect at right angles. Based on a square inner structure.
Andradite
Attributes: Higher thinking, self-empowerment
Appearance: Granular to massive
Diamond
Attributes: Purity, abundance, prosperity
Appearance: Rounded octahedral
Fluorite
Attributes: Brings order to chaos, cleanses and stabilizes aura
Appearance: Nodular
Galena (Earth Stone)
Attributes: Strength, courage and ability to face difficult times
Appearance: Tabular
Garnet
Attributes: Energizing and regeneration of body
Appearance: Trapezoidal crystals
Gold
Attributes: Combats depression, instills confidence
Appearance: Rounded grains
Lazurite
Attributes: Strengthens intuitive abilities and psychic development
Appearance: Dodecahedral crystals
Magnetite (Lodestone)
Attributes: Used as a grounding stone, instills stability and balance
Appearance: Octahedral crystals
Pyrite (Fools Gold)
Attributes: Self-realization, clarification, protection
Appearance: Pentagonal
Sphalerite
Attributes: Psychic and spiritual development
Appearance: Massive crystals
Sodalite
Attributes: Brings order and calmness to the mind
Appearance: Massive
Tsavorite
Attributes: Comfort, strengthens the heart
Appearance: Crystalline masses
Uvarovite
Attributes: Associated with prosperity and wealth, promotes individuality
Appearance: Drusy dodecahedral crystals
Tetragonal System
Two axes are of equal length and are in the same plane, the main axis is either longer or shorter, and all three intersect at right angles. It is based on a rectangular inner structure.
Anatase (Octahedrite)
Attributes: Humanity, compassion
Appearance: Bi-pyramidal crystals
Apophyllite
Attributes: Regulates bodily functions
Appearance: Di-pyramidal crystals
Cassiterite (Tin)
Attributes: Higher love and true compassion
Appearance: Massive or granular
Chalcopyrite
Attributes: Connection to higher realms
Appearance: Tetrahedron
Scapolite
Attributes: Facilitates change and achievement of goals
Appearance: Massive crystalline
Scheelite
Attributes: Encourages spiritual and psychic openness
Appearance: Granular or massive
Wiluite
Attributes: Balances and cleanser, self reflection
Appearance: Euhedral crystals
Xenotime
Attributes: Facilitates psychic development
Appearance: Equant pyramidal
Tugtupite
Attributes: Encourages compassion and unconditional love
Appearance: Fine crystalline
Zircon
Attributes: Helps alleviate pain, facilitates detachment
Appearance: Tabular
Hexagonal System
Three out of the four axes are in one plane, of the same length, and intersect each other at angles of 60 degrees. The fourth axis is of a different length and intersects the others at right angles. Based on a hexagonal (6-sided) inner structure.
Apatite
Attributes: Motivation, energetic
Appearance: Short hexagonal prismatic crystals
Aquamarine (Blue Beryl)
Attributes: Boost memory, clarity
Appearance: Hexagonal prismatic crystals
Benitoite
Attributes: Psychic development
Appearance: Tabular crystals
Beryl
Attributes: Insight, self attunement
Appearance: Prismatic crystals
Cancrinite
Attributes: Facilitates meditation and regeneration
Appearance: Crystalline masses
Carborundum (Silicon Carbide)
Attributes: Calming and gently grounding
Appearance: Pseudo crystals
Emerald
Attributes: Communication and friendship
Appearance: Massive
Morganite
Attributes: Alleviates stress and anxiety
Appearance: crystalline masses
Pyromorphite
Attributes: Promotes vigor, vitality and personal strength
Appearance: Prismatic to acicular crystals
Vanadinite
Attributes: Reduces inflammation and engenders peace
Appearance: Flattened hexagonal crystals
Zincite
Attributes: Mood-lifter, bestows inner strength
Appearance: Elongated crystals
Dioptase
Attributes: Awaken love and compassion
Appearance: Rhombohedral crystal
Trigonal System
(Rhombohedral System) – Axes and angles in this system are similar to the Hexagonal System, and the two systems are often combined as Hexagonal. In the cross-section of a Hexagonal crystal, there will be six sides. In the cross-section of a Trigonal crystal, there will be three sides. Based on a triangular inner structure.
Agate
Attributes: Calming, cleansing and protective
Appearance: Variegated chalcedony
Amethyst
Attributes: Master healer, soothing, calm
Appearance: Druzy clusters
Blue Calcite
Attributes: Celestial communication stones
Appearance: Massive
Brucite
Attributes: Neutrality, clarity and balance
Appearance: Tabular
Calcite
Attributes: Stability and trust-granular,
Appearance: Rhombohedral
Chalcedony
Attributes: Love stone, nurturing good will
Appearance: Fibrous crypto crystalline
Citrine Crystal
Attributes: Stone of joy, attract abundance
Appearance: Drusy crystalline
Cinnabar (Dragon’s Blood)
Attributes: Assertiveness, vitality and power
Appearance: Massive or granular
Dolomite
Attributes: Self realization, accimilation
Appearance: Tabular crystals
Hematite (Kidney Ore)
Attributes: Aids inner reflection and perspective
Appearance: Ocherous masses
Herkimer Diamond
Attributes: Attunement stone
Appearance: Doubly terminated prismatic
Magnesite
Attributes: Boost self-esteem
Appearance: Rhombohedral crystalline look
Phenakite
Attributes: Cleanses and purifies the body
Appearance: Crystalline aggregates
Prasiolite (Green Quartz)
Attributes: Promotes intellectual development
Appearance: Crystalline masses
Quartz
Attributes: Transmit, cleanse, and magnify energy
Appearance: Prismatic crystals
Rose Quartz (Love Stone)
Attributes: Self acceptance, attracts love
Appearance: Massive crystalline
Ruby (Red Corundum)
Attributes: Brings joy, vigor, and love
Appearance: Elongated hexagonal crystals
Smoky Quartz
Attributes: Grounding and protective
Appearance: Prismatic and crystalline look
Tourmaline
Attributes: Healing crystals, strengthen the heart, and protect from nightmares
Appearance: Acicular prismatic
Orthorhombic System
(Rhombic System) Three axes, all of different lengths, are at right angles to each other. Based on a rhombic (diamond-shaped) inner structure.
Alexandrite (Chrysoberyl)
Attributes: Independence, achievement of goals
Appearance: Rough tabular crystals
Andalusite (Chiastolite)
Attributes: Ward off the evil eye and negativity
Appearance: Prismatic crystals
Aragonite
Attributes: Grounding, strengthens the base connection-prismatic
Bornite (Peacock Ore)
Attributes: Advance in spiritual realms
Appearance: Granular to massive
Baryte
Attributes: Dream recall, inner vision
Appearance: Tabular, fibrous
Celestite
Attributes: Attune to higher realms
Appearance: Tabular
Cerussite
Attributes: Healing and grounding stone
Appearance: Varied morphology
Chrysocolla
Attributes: Detoxifying, balancing and calming
Appearance: Bubbly crystals
Danburite
Attributes: String healer, detoxifier
Appearance: Prismatic crystals
Enstatite (Bronzite)
Attributes: Lively, friendly, mood-lifting
Appearance: Crystalline masses
Hemimorphite (Calamine)
Attributes: Balances male-female energy
Appearance: Thin tabular crystals
Iolite
Attributes: Detoxification, letting go of addictions
Appearance: Pseudo crystals
Lollingite
Attributes: Gently grounding, calm,self-belief
Appearance: Prismatic crystals
Olivine (Peridot)
Attributes: Bestow wisdom and friendship
Appearance: Massive to granular
Ramzaite (Lorenzenite)
Attributes: Stabilizes emotional and physical imbalance
Appearance: Bladed prismatic
Shattuckite
Attributes: Inner strength, courage, remember information
Appearance: Botryoidal and spherical
Stibnite (Antimony Glance)
Attributes: Inner stillness and centering
Appearance: Prismatic crystals with vertical striations
Sulfur
Attributes: Cleanse and eliminate negativity blocky
Appearance: Dipyramidal crystalline look
Tanzanite (Zoisite)
Attributes: Communication, anti depressant
Appearance: Massive crystalline aggregates
Topaz
Attributes: Bestows happiness, love and abundance
Appearance: Distinct prismatic crystals
Variscite
Attributes: Calming, increases perception
Appearance: Encrusted masses
Wavellite
Attributes: Calms and gently balanced feeling
Appearance: Radiating fibrous crystals
Monoclinic System
There are three axes, each of different lengths. Two are at right angles to each other and the third is inclined. Based on a parallelogram inner structure.
Aegirine (Sword Stone)
Attributes: Gathers and consolidates scattered energy
Appearance: Elongated blade
Azurite (Stone of Heaven)
Attributes: Intellectual logic with love, calms and relieves stress
Appearance: Tabular prismatic
Brazilianite
Attributes: Opens us to universal love
Appearance: Prismatic, spherical drusses
Charoite
Attributes: Transformation, overcome fears
Appearance: Fibrous massive
Crocoite
Attributes: Vitality, passion and zest
Appearance: Coarsely crystalline
Clinoclase
Attributes: Balances and calms
Appearance: Drusy crystalline
Desert Rose
Attributes: Self improvement
Appearance: Spherical and disk shaped crystals
Epidote (Pistacite)
Attributes: Warmth, light, and expansion
Appearance: Very prismatic crystalline look
Fuchsite
Attributes: Accept human flaws, love and compassion
Appearance: Massive
Glendonite
Attributes: Tranformation. Transmutation
Appearance: Pyramidal
Hyalophane
Attributes: Clairvoance
Appearance: Massive crystals
Heulandite
Attributes: Reorganizes, stimulates
Appearance: One/grouped crystals
Hiddenite (Green Spodumene)
Attributes: Cheering and uplifting
Appearance: Elongated striated crystals
Hureaulite
Attributes: Inner expansion, stimulates
Appearance: Short and prismatic crystal
Malachite
Attributes: Healer and very good balancer
Appearance: Massive crusts
Moonstone (Rainbow)
Attributes: Develops psychic potential, introspection
Appearance: Massive crystals
Nephrite
Attributes: Longevity and strength, protection against failure
Appearance: Massive
Petalite (Castorite)
Attributes: Promotes psychic and spiritual development
Appearance: Massive crystals
Rhodolite
Attributes: Detoxifying, mood lifting, calming
Appearance: Tabular
Selenite (Satin Spar)
Attributes: Calming, understanding and concentration
Appearance: Granular masses
Staurolite (Fairy Cross)
Attributes: Stress reliever and mood-lifter
Appearance: Twinned crystals
Tremolite
Attributes: Alleviates sadness and depression
Appearance: Prismatic bladed
Diopside
Attributes: Protecting, mediative state
Appearance: Crystalline masses
Titanite (Sphene)
Attributes: Calming, balancing
Appearance: Flattened wedge shaped crystals
Vivianite
Attributes: stimulates healing process
Appearance: flattened prismatic crystals
Triclinic System
All three axes are of different lengths and inclined towards each other. Based on a ‘triclinic’ inner structure, meaning ‘three inclined angles’.
Ajoite
Attributes: Forgiveness and compassion
Appearance: Phantom quartz
Albite
Attributes: Clarity in thought, emotional stabilizer
Appearance: Tabular
Amazonite
Attributes: Hope stone-Anti-depressant, calming
Appearance: Prismatic crystals
Amblygonite
Attributes: Divinity, very balanced emotions
Appearance: Crude crystals
Axinite
Attributes: Heals bone tissue, anti-negativity
Appearance: Flattened axe-head
Kyanite
Attributes: Spiritual and healing, alignment stone
Appearance: Elongated blade crystals
Labradorite (Spectrolite)
Attributes: Revelation of psychic abilities
Appearance: Crystalline aggregates
Okenite
Attributes: Self forgiveness, eases karmic guilt
Appearance: Thin straight crystals
Oligoclase
Attributes: Inner strength and solidity
Appearance: Massive crystalline aggregates
Rhodonite (Rescue Stone)
Attributes: Understanding, strengthens friendship
Appearance: Tabular
Sunstone
Attributes: Mood lifting, anti depressant, self worth
Appearance: Massive crystalline
Turquoise
Attributes: Protection, strength and good health
Appearance: Reniform crystals
Larimar (Atlantis Stone)
Attributes: Dissolves fear, promotes inner peace
Appearance: Crystalline masses
Amorphous
No crystal structure. Most of these are either cooled too quickly to crystallize – such as obsidian or moldavite, or are organic – such as amber.
Amber(Liquid Sunshine)
Attributes: Good-luck and happiness
Moldavite
Attributes: Protects the heart
Opal
Attributes: Energizes, balances, and lifts the spirits-crystalline masses
Obsidian
Attributes: Brings clarity, increases self-control, protective stone
Crystal healing is a phenomenon wherein the properties of crystals and stones are used to manipulate our thoughts and emotions, so as to help manage anger, stress, depression, disease symptoms, and other negative energies in the body. With the increased popularity of crystal healing, rigorous studies have been done on crystals and their meanings.
