Crystals: History, Uses and Ethical Sourcing.

Origin of the Word

The word "crystal" has its roots in the Greek language, where it means "ice." It is specifically referred to as clear quartz. Ancient Greeks believed that quartz was water that froze at an extremely low temperature and would remain in that state indefinitely.

Crystals in Early History

Human fascination with crystals goes far back. We can find them in almost every early human settlement. Crystals always captivated humanity with their beauty, mystery, and potential long before written history.

 For centuries, crystals were prized as protective talismans and symbols of good fortune. Ancient Egyptians decorated themselves with lapis and turquoise. Greeks and Romans wore amethyst and hematite for protection. In India and China, jade and quartz were treasured for both their beauty and spiritual symbolism. This practice continued throughout generations for their perceived ability to safeguard their wearers from visible and invisible harm.

Kings and all kind of rulers adorned their crowns with crystals. They used gems not just for their beauty but as connectors between this world and the realm where the gods reside. Kings and emperors also used them as material for the seals. Crystals became associated with certain powers. In different cultures, different crystals were associated with different powers or elements. Alchemists used them in their attempts to discover or create the Philosopher’s Stone.

Crystals in Religious and Spiritual Practice.

In Christianity, crystals hold symbolic value rather than possessing metaphysical power, representing beauty, purity, and perfection—qualities that are often associated with the divine.

In East Asia, they hold more spiritual and philosophical significance. For instance, in Hinduism, they are linked with deities, used in astrology, and incorporated into Ayurveda. Buddhism and Taoism employ them in meditation practices for mental clarity, harmony with nature, and a connection to the five elements. In Shinto traditions, crystals are often used as offerings to honor the kami and are incorporated into rituals.   

Native American and other Indigenous cultures attribute spiritual significance to crystals. They are used in many ceremonies, vision quests, and shamanic practices. Crystals represent conduits that connect a practitioner or shaman with the spirit world: the last generation, spirits of the land, and the Great Spirit or Creator of All.

We can find mentions of crystals or gemstones in almost every religious text.

Use of Crystals in Healing

From the dawn of humanity, people have observed nature and, through these experiences, they have discovered elements that could improve our physical and mental health. Crystals were worn, carried, and combined with herbal remedies for protection and enhancing the healing.

In the last fifty years, we have seen an increase in interest in crystals. A large number of books on this subject have been published, increasing public curiosity, and blending traditional uses with modern wellness practices.

Crystals in Modern Medicine

Today, crystals are part of integrative medicine. The perception of them evolves from a spiritual or metaphysical realm to a practical application in modern treatment protocols. Crystals are believed to have the ability to affect the energy fields of the human body, helping restore balance and strengthening energy flow. Practitioners mostly use them alongside Reiki, massage therapy, or reflexology to enhance relaxation, reduce stress, and promote emotional healing. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the psychological and physiological benefits of incorporating crystals into healing therapies.

While scientific evidence is still limited, many people report positive effects – less anxiety, reduced muscle tension, relief from chronic pain. Hospitals and clinics increasingly recognize crystals' work as a gentle, non-invasive complement to conventional treatments.

Are Crystals Alive?

It may seem like a crazy question. However, if we consider crystals' ability to grow, this question becomes less absurd. We can observe their growth, becoming more complex and beautiful over time.

Like every living organism, they require certain conditions, just as any seed needs favorable conditions to germinate. Similarly, crystals require specific chemical elements and a certain temperature.   

Nikola Tesla referred to crystals as living beings. He firmly believed that everything in the Universe vibrates at a specific frequency and that crystals could help us tune into those frequencies. So, synchronizing with the vibration or frequency of the Universe opens the door to all Universal knowledge and wisdom. He saw in crystals the fingerprint of divine organization, the sacred geometry that can be found everywhere in nature.

Some crystals can be easily grown at home, revealing the beauty of their formation.     

Crystals in the Human Body

Our bodies also contain crystals - called biogenetic crystals formed through a process known as biomineralization. These crystalline structures make up bones and teeth, stiffening and strengthening the tissues. It is a biologically controlled process, which means that we can grow teeth only in our mouths.

We also find them in white blood cells, the pineal gland, and the inner ear. However, when the homeostasis of our body is disturbed, they can form kidney stones or become a “floater” in our eyes; just two examples.

Crystals in Medical Technology

Solid and liquid crystals are indispensable in modern technology, and healthcare technology is no exception. They became an essential part of diagnostic and treatment tools.

Crystal plays a fundamental part in modern medical laser technology. Because of them, we can produce laser beams that can target not just specific tissues but also individual cells.

Ongoing research on using nanocrystals as a drug delivery mechanism in cancer treatment is very promising. They provide more precise, targeted drug delivery directly to the cancer cell, which significantly increases effectiveness.

Crystals are utilized in medical imaging and diagnostic procedures. They are part of PET scans and CT scans. Scintillating crystals can convert high-energy gamma rays into visible light, which can then be detected and transformed into images. We can also find crystals in nuclear medicine imaging devices and ultrasound, where they generate sound waves that create images of internal organs.

In addition to medicine, crystals are also used in communication, quantum computing, and energy and information storage devices.

Conservation and Preserving Nature

As crystals become increasingly popular, and crystal stores open in cities everywhere. Mining and selling crystals became another profitable business. Industrial mining damages the ecosystem, disrupts the Earth’s electromagnetic field, and leaves lasting scars. We must recognize that collecting crystals is not the same as collecting stamps.

There is no ethical way to source crystals; any form of extraction compromises the natural balance. If you value crystals, consider ethical alternatives like buying second-hand or simply enjoying their beauty in nature without removing them. Just as you can enjoy flowers without cutting them, you can appreciate crystals without contributing to their extraction.

Final Thoughts

We use crystals for healing and energetically clearing spaces, recognizing that they hold energy. However, what kind of energy do they carry if they were mined in harmful conditions or cut without reverence? This is why so many crystal users experience little to no actual healing effect from crystals.

In the age of mass marketing, crystals are being reduced to empty commodities – another element of “fast spirituality” alongside factory-made smudge kits and mass-produced symbols or Buddha statues. True crystal work requires respect, gratitude, and a willingness to learn their deeper meaning.

When crystals are honored as a living expression of Earth’s creative force, they can be partners in our healing, an everlasting reminder of our connection to the natural world and our responsibility to protect it.

With love,

Roman                                                                                                                   

September 1, 2025