Buying a Crystal as a Gift

From Star to Stone by Mervyn Kelly (Sept, 2018)

We all love to give gifts, the recipient usually being someone who holds a significant position in our life. Whether it is a friend or a loved one, we always hope the person accepts the gift with great joy. However, the choosing of a gift can be simple and complicated in equal measure. Simple when we stumble upon the perfect thing by chance, difficult when all we have is an idea of what we want to give, but with little idea of where to begin in its discovery. Giving a crystal can certainly fall into the second category.

Let us begin by assuming that you know little about the world of crystals and stones and that the gift will be for someone taking their first steps along this path. But before we start thinking about where to start looking for this special gift, or even which stones and crystals to consider looking for, I feel it is important that I say a few words upon your budget. It can be very easy to get caught up in the excitement of selecting the crystal that will be the perfect gift, and within that excitement spend more than we had intended. So, I strongly recommend you set your budget and guard it well. I would also highly recommend writing a small list of crystals to look for, because it is very easy to get distracted with all the crystals on display, believe me, I know!

Now a few words about where to begin your quest to find your gift because this relates to your budget. Prices can range wildly from store to store and website to website, which admittedly can be confusing when to select the best place to buy your stones and crystals. But honestly, a few very simple rules will help guide you. First, do some legwork, which is looking in as many of the stores in your local area that sell crystals and stones. You may wander around the Internet in your search.

This research will help you find an average price for the crystals you have picked for your list, what is high, and what is low. The next thing I would recommend you do is to ask questions, lots and lots of questions. The more information you have, the more confident you will be in your choice of gift. But I will just warn you, the more you delve into the crystal world, the less likely you’ll ever want to leave, and you’ll begin collecting them for yourself!

Now we will begin exploring the fun part, what to look for in a crystal or stone. Before I give you some suggestions on what crystals to consider, I want to talk for a moment about the formations or shapes you will encounter. Just as a few examples there are tumble stones, points, spheres, clusters and so on. If, as I have assumed, you are new to crystals, I think it is very important that you do not worry about this. Once you have set your budget and selected the store, just browse through the selection they have of the crystals on your list, and you’ll see that the right stone will reveal itself to you.

Quartz Crystal

The first place I always go to when I have asked for some advice on which crystal to buy, especially for the first steps into the crystal world, is Clear Quartz. Although it may be one of the easiest crystals to find and can often be reasonably priced, it is an incredibly powerful stone. Quartz is a Master Healer, and whilst there are others, this for me is the first one.

It is difficult to overstate what an amazing crystal this is. Because of its unique crystal structure, it is considered to be the most powerful healing crystal and energy amplifier. Quartz is the crystal that can be used in any situation and will work with any healing method, and assist in any healing situation. It is so much more than that though if this is a crystal that you give, the person who receives it will have a lifetime journey with it. Clear Quartz is not a crystal on its own either. It is part of a whole family. Quite a large family.

There is Smokey Quartz which is a powerful grounding crystal, Rose Quartz is particularly good at emotional healing, Lemurian Seed crystals are just amazing on every level, and that’s just to name but a few. The list goes on, even Citrine and Amethyst are a part of the family. So, it is here where I become in danger of confusing you, so don’t worry about all the different types of Quartz for now, and I will introduce you to Amethyst and Citrine next.

Amethyst

Amethyst and Citrine are two stones thought to be more commonly available crystals. But as with Clear Quartz, don’t assume that means these crystals are not special or have little to offer. Every crystal and stone that we encounter is equally special, and important, as all of the others. Amethyst can be quite striking in its colour, and it ranges from purple to a lighter lavender. Although, I did find a piece in which the colour is so dense it appears black! It has very strong healing and cleansing powers.

The ancient Greeks wore it to prevent drunkenness. This Amethyst is a really great crystal to give someone who practices meditation, whether just beginning or as part of their daily life for many years, as it aids in calming the mind. It helps us let go of the usual mundane thoughts and more easily find a place of tranquillity where deep understanding resides. Having a piece beside your bed can assist you in having a more restful night, especially if sleep is a problem.

Citrine is a crystal of pure joy and another powerful cleanser. Golden yellow its energy is like that of the sun, and it can absorb and transmute negative energy. Citrine is a wonderful crystal for people who work with the Chakra system. It can cleanse all the Chakras, but it is especially useful when it used with the Solar Plexus. Quite easily found in stores, I offer a note of caution in purchasing Citrine. Natural Citrine is not as common as Quartz or Amethyst and is often heat treated and sold as Citrine. I always ask the question if the crystal is heat treated. Any reputable store owner will always tell you the truth.

There is a fun and interesting combination that may show up as you are questing for the perfect crystal gift, it is a little rarer, but you can find it, Ametrine. Ametrine combines both Amethyst and Citrine giving it amazing properties, and it’s a really pretty crystal!

Ametrine

Those are just a few of the options you will find, but there are so many more. Rather than try and make a big list, I will simply offer you my next piece of crystal buying advice. Let the crystal call you. Browse your chosen store with a clear and open mind, allowing your gaze to fall upon the selection that is available and see what happens. As you look around, there may be one that draws you more than the others. Perhaps you will hear literally it call to you, or maybe it will look just that bit brighter than the others.

Perhaps you will just know that this is the one that is needed. The crystal selecting you is an enjoyable way to choose the gift you are seeking. But remember to ask for as much information about it as you can when you make your purchase, what it is, what it does and so on, so you can give that information along with the crystal.

I assume that the world of crystals is both new to you and also how to purchase a crystal as a gift. But what if you are buying this gift for someone whom is well versed in the knowledge of crystals and has a great deal of experience with them. I shall let you in on a secret, it does not matter what you give, and it matters even less how expensive it may have been. Whatever your crystal gift is, it will be loved as much as all the other stones they already have and use.

In fact, you needn’t spend any money at all. A stone picked up from the ground from a special place you visit, especially if it is a place of power and legend, will be a perfect gift and will be held in a special place among all the other stones and crystals they have around them.

This item is very important. If you choose to do this, you must ask permission of the stone and the Spirits of the place before you take anything. This request does not need to be anything elaborate. Simply reveal why you need the stone; whom the stone is for; why you feel the person receiving the stone needs it. If you feel you received permission, you are good to go, but if you feel permission is not granted, don’t go against that feeling. We humans have, for far too long, been told that we can do whatever we want to the world. Human dominance has never been true, so ask for permission and follow your guidance to the right way and the good way to do gift the stone.

I have one last thing to tell you. When you go in search of a crystal or stone to give as a gift, whether it is for someone just starting their work with crystals or who has been working with them for many years, your journey with crystals and stones has also begun. ✦

ervyn Kelly lives and works on the east coast of Britain. Spiritually, he walks the Druid path and is a Reiki Master and Teacher, but continues to study other alternative and natural healing methods. Mervyn has been involved with exhibiting photography nationally. He is the host of “From Star to Stone” on Star Nations Live Stream and is co-author the book 53°12’49”N 0°20’31”E available on blurb.com. It is a book of photographs taken at sunrise every Sunday for the whole of 2012, with accompanying poetry. Each image was taken at the same spot on the east coast of England, regardless of the weather or the need to wake up very early during the summer! m.kellyreiki@btinternet.com | fb: From Star to Stone