You can acquire them by unearthing them, by buying or receiving them as gifts. The crystals you find in shops have been exposed to energies from the miner, the buyer, the importer and through transportation which were used to reach the seller.

Using this method to find your crystal in a shop is excellent:

*  Stand in front of a group of crystals 

*  Close your eyes and relax

*  Open your eyes and pick the first crystal you see

Sometimes one may be drawn to a particular crystal without knowing why, this means the crystal has found you and wants to be with you (for the present). However, the crystal could be for someone else (even someone you have not yet met).

If choosing a crystal for a specific purpose (meditation, healing etc), that purpose can be projected to the crystal. Some people can sense an energy response from a crystal. The energy response can be a vibration, tingling sensation, a flash of light or a sense of the crystal jumping up and down saying "take me with you".

Choosing a crystal for someone else is also easy. Visualize the person whom the crystal is being chosen for, projecting this to the crystal, then selecting the crystal which responds whilst you visualize the other person. Another method - close you eyes visualize the person and upon opening your eyes you will be aware of which crystal/s respond. 

Cleansing Crystals

It is very important before you start working with your crystals and minerals you cleanse them first, remembering they have been exposed to many different vibrations and energies before coming to you. You must now tune the crystal to your own vibration and energy field.

A Note About Salt

Some people recommend placing your crystals in rock salt or salt water for long periods. Before doing this make sure your crystals are safe in water, remember salt can have a damaging effect on the surface of some stones. Example, if you leave malachite in salt water for a long time it will loose its beautiful sheen (it polished). Salt will remove polish from other stones. Calcite, selenite, barite and similar stones will fall apart in water.  

Sunlight/Moonlight - Probably the simplest methods of all. Place your crystals in direct sunlight for about five hours. Make sure it is pure sunlight or moonlight and not filtered through windows.

Place on a Cluster - You can place your crystals on an amethyst or clear quartz cluster. They can use the cluster as their permanent home, as amethyst has cleansing properties. Clear quartz clusters will assist in building its healing energies. 

Sea Salt - Cover your crystals with sea salt or rock salt granules for three to seven days, rinse with pure water and energize in the sun.

Salt Water - Place your crystals in a glass bowl and cover with sea water for three to seven days. If sea water is not available - make up using 3 teaspoons of sea salt to 3 1/2 litres of warm water, place in a location which will receive sunlight. (Check recommended care for your crystal first).

Water - Hold your crystals under flowing water (e.g. river, sea, lake or tap etc) for several minutes and energize in the sun. (Water is the universal cleanser and is effective in cleansing undesirable energies from all physical forms.)

Burying Method - With the point facing upwards bury your crystals a couple of inches below the ground, remembering where you placed it! Leave them for a few days. Rinse them carefully with pure water.

Smudging with Incense - Some stones such as calcite, selenite and dioptase will crumble and fall apart with water contact. You should use smudging to cleanse these stones. Sage and cedar or sandalwood are the best as they are cleansing substances, although any sandalwood based incense will do. Surround your stones with the cleansing smoke of a smudge or incense stick, asking them to be cleansed of any negative or unharmonious vibrations and energies. 

Brown Rice Soak - Soak crystal for twenty four hours in brown rice; the rice will balance and center the energy, removing negativity, whilst dissipating and transforming to positive. On completion of the soak, the rice is energized, purified and is wonderful to eat.

Flowers Soak - Soak crystal for twenty four hours in flowers  e.g. honeysuckle, orange blossoms, rose petals etc. The essence strips away negativity and cleanses the stone while purity and energy of the flower transmits to the stone.

Carrying your crystal around with you will interact its energy to you. You may wish to keep your crystal under your pillow or beside your bed to enhance your dreams of just absorb its healing energy while you sleep. There is actually no right or wrong method for using crystals and gemstones, as long as you use them with a good heart and the best intentions in mind. They are good companions if you meditate, hold in your left hand of place on the third-eye chakra if you're lying down. Dark blue or purple stones are best for meditation, feel free to experiment and use your intuition. Clear quartz crystals are easily obtainable and can be substituted for other stones, as they receive, store, amplify, transform and transmit positive healing energy. If you only have one crystal - make sure it is a clear quartz. They are delightful to have around and are a great introduction to the fabulous world of crystals and healing stones.

Information supplied above has been obtained from the following books:

Love is in the Earth - A Kaleidoscope of Crystals Updated  by Melody

Pocket Reference Series Crystals Gems & Minerals by Pamela Robbins

Crystal Checklist by Sheril Berkovitch

We highly recommend these books to source more detailed information.