People have treasured stones for as long as there are records: worn as ornament, carried as keepsakes, set into crowns, pressed into wax as seals and held in the hand during prayer or quiet reflection. Many readers of this site come to crystals from a place of faith, family custom or personal meaning, and that deserves respect. This section is written for you, and for anyone who is simply curious about what these stones are.
We describe each stone in three ways: what it is as a mineral, what its history and cultural traditions have been, and what crystal traditions associate with it, always attributed to the tradition that holds the belief. We leave the meaning to you.
The four parts of this section
- The crystal guide: twenty-four stones, from amethyst to sodalite, each with its geology, history, traditional associations, care and safety, and sourcing.
- Birthstones by month: the modern and traditional lists for all twelve months, the history of the idea, and a link to our finder tool.
- Crystals by zodiac sign: the stones commonly associated with each of the twelve signs in modern crystal traditions.
- Care and safety: cleaning, cleansing as personal ritual, stones that must not be wetted or swallowed, sun fading, children and pets, and how to spot fakes and dyed stones.
You can also use the birthstone finder to look up any month.
Our rules for every page in this section
- We describe traditions, beliefs, folklore, history and geology, and attribute every meaning to the tradition that holds it.
- We never say that a crystal cures, treats or relieves a health condition. There is no scientific evidence that crystals do, and if you are struggling with your health or mood, please speak to a doctor.
- We include safety facts, such as stones that dissolve in water or contain toxic elements and should never be swallowed.
- We mention sourcing and the labour conditions in parts of the gem trade.
- We do not sell anything, and we do not link to shops.