Hello, fellow crystal lovers. Are you curious about different crystal shapes and if they have any specific meanings or uses? If you are reading this blog, then it is safe to assume that you are currently working with or interested in working with crystals. So, welcome to the crystal community!
Whether you are just beginning your work with crystals or have been at this work for some time, every crystal practitioner reaches a point in their journey where they ponder about the many different crystal shapes out there. Do they have any special meaning? Are certain shapes used for certain things? Short answer? Yup!
I have put together a small list of what I consider to be 11 of the most popular crystal shapes and what each of these shapes is considered to mean and be used for. This list is based on studying and researching some of the well-known voices in the crystal world and my own personal experiences in working with crystals. I believe every healing journey is different and largely intuitive, meaning each experience or modality will be different for everyone, and it is important to stay in tune with what works for us, how it works for us, and honor our unique experience.
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It is also important to note that while each crystal shape has a meaning or use, the actual crystal material (ie: amethyst, carnelian, jasper, etc.) will have its own specific energetic properties/meanings/uses as well.
I would first like to touch on the topic of rough or raw versus polished or tumbled stones. There seems to be a clear-cut line on this topic in the crystal world, and usually every crystal lover stands more so on one side of this line. The raw side or the polished side. I personally have always been more attracted to raw/rough/chipped/cracked stones rather than the pretty shiny polished stones. I should clarify that I do own and work with both raw and polished crystals, I just have a deeper connection to and am drawn more to raw crystals. It is believed that raw crystals emit a stronger more powerful energy than polished ones. Tumbled stones still have great energetic properties and are powerful to work with, but raw crystals just have that edge that makes them more connected to pure Earth energy. As you continue your crystal journey, you may observe that you are more drawn to one or the other.
Raw crystals are thought to have a strong sporadic energy.
Tumbled, aka polished, crystals are known for a gentle constant energy.
Neither is better or worse than the other... they are just different.
Different Crystal shapes and their meanings & uses:
There are many different shapes and sizes of crystals. This list is meant to be a starting point for you as there is so much information out there regarding the world of working with crystals. I too am still learning daily.
Alrighty then, let’s get into some crystal shapes, yea?
1. Points / Towers / Generators / Obelisks – strength & transformation
Towers (aka points): Tower crystals, also called points, are elongated formations with a pointed tip and a wider base. They serve as conduits for energy, with the tip directing energy upward and the base grounding it into the Earth. Towers are excellent for amplifying intentions, focusing energy, and clearing blockages. Points emit a very focused and directional energy from the point.
Generators: Generators are characterized by six facets meeting at a single point, creating a powerful energy vortex. They are potent tools for generating and projecting energy in all directions. Generators are ideal for charging other crystals, enhancing meditation practices, and creating energetic grids for manifestation.
Obelisks: Inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture, obelisks are tall, four-sided pillars tapering to a pyramidal point at the top. They symbolize spiritual growth, enlightenment, and divine connection. Obelisks are used for channeling energy, enhancing intuition, and deepening spiritual awareness.
2. Spheres
Spheres are round, usually polished balls that range in size from very small to massive spheres that need heavy machinery to lift or move them. A sphere emits energy from all sides and can expand the energy evenly to an entire room or even larger space depending on the size of the sphere.
3. Pyramids
These crystals have two uses/meanings. The base of the pyramid mimics Earth energy and is very grounding, while the point allows energy to flow out the top directly towards the cosmos. This makes pyramids excellent for transmitting your intentions out into the Universe. Wonderful for use in a crystal grid, especially as the focus stone.
4. Cubes - grounding
Cube shaped crystals are considered by many in the crystal community to be extremely grounding. Meditating with cubic crystals helps to “root you” or ground and reconnect you with the powerful energies of the Earth. By placing cubic formations in each of the four corners of a room, you will seal, protect, and ground the energy of your space. While most cubes are man-cut, there are some natural cubic crystals found in nature such as Pyrite.
5. Eggs
An egg-shaped crystal emits energy from all sides with a focal point at the top. Eggs are great for new beginnings – they assist in birthing new ideas, new goals or relationships. Eggs carry a feminine energy and are associated with fertility, growth, and personal transformation. When using a crystal egg for fertility and reproductive work it is often referred to as a Yoni Egg.
6. Hearts – Love & Healing
Energy is received from the crystal in a very loving manner giving the user a sense of peace.
Crystal hearts can range in many sizes and styles, but what is important to remember is that they connect with the energy of the heart chakra and emit their energy in a very loving and gentle manner while giving us a sense of peace and harmony. For this reason, heart shaped crystals can be good for those who are extra sensitive to the energies of crystals since their energy output is softer. Crystal hearts hold a lot of power and can fill a large space with their vibrations. Hold them tight to connect with loved ones and meditate with a heart-shaped crystal to open your Heart Chakra. Hearts make very thoughtful gifts for loved ones, as a symbol of reaching across time and space to heal and connect. The heart space also governs joy and vitality, so working with a crystal heart can help enhance both joy and vitality in your life.
7. Clusters & Geodes
Clusters and Geodes are in the same family, however there is a distinct difference and that is geodes have all their terminations on the inside where clusters can have terminations extending out from all directions of the stone.
Clusters are very powerful crystals to work with, as each point in a cluster emits its own energy, while all points in a cluster vibrate together harmoniously and radiate energy throughout the entire crystal. Crystal clusters can be a great addition to an office setting to help bring group harmony or placed in a dining room or living room to facilitate positive communication.
As mentioned above, geodes terminate inside the crystal. Geodes can be wonderful charging and cleansing tools.
8. Palm stones:
Palm stone is kind of a blanket term. There are many types of palm stones, which can include thumb stones, don’t worry stones (they’re called worry stones, but I loathe that term as I feel it emits that energy into the stone), gallets, palm stones, and touch stones. Each of these palm stone varieties have specific features, but sometimes in the ever-growing crystal market the names can be interchanged, and it can get a bit confusing, at least for me it does.
My personal breakdown of this category is as follows: thumb & don’t worry stones are smaller in size and sometimes have an indentation on one side where you can place your thumb, hence the namesake. Palm stones are cut fairly equal in size and proportion, and they can be circular or oval shaped and small enough to fit in the ‘average’ palm size. Palm stones have a soft energy output and are great to hold during meditation or place under your pillow.
9. Wands
Wands allow for energy to flow and be directed. They are typically used to bring in healing energy.
Some wands are double terminated (DT), meaning that they have terminated into a point on both ends of the wand. DT wands both receive and emit energy and are used for healing rituals where you are moving and directing energy. They can also be used intuitively to detect areas of stuck energy in the body.
10. Free forms & Flames
A freeform is a chunk of material that is typically carved in an irregular rounded shape that flows with the crystal’s energy and highlights its natural beauty. Freeform crystals come in many sizes and each one is unique and highlights the natural beauty of the stone(s) it is formed from. Free forms do not have a specific type of energy output, although I like to think of the energy output a little like spheres – I believe that the energy will emit from all areas of the free form shape.
A flame is like a freeform, but flames are meant to taper off at the top and they resemble an actual flame emitted from a fire. Flames could be used as an enhancement to spiritual and manifesting practices related to personal power and taking action. I like to think flames resonate with the solar plexus chakra, our inner fire, our ‘get shit done’ aka power center.
11. Seeing Stones
Seer stones are primarily used for crystal gazing which helps connect us to higher knowledge, spirit guides, and angels. Seeing stones are chunks of material that have one side that is polished so you can see into the crystal. The polished area acts like a window allowing you to see “inside” the stone due to its optical effect. Sleeping with a seer stone under your pillow can help with lucid dreaming or dream recall.
Alright, I know I said I would share just 11 of the most popular shapes, but I am going to throw in a couple bonus shapes simply because they are some of my personal favorites that I work with regularly.
Bonus 1:
MOON carvings
The moon is said to represent our emotions. It is our yin side, our gentle feminine divinity. Working with a moon carving would be ideal for connecting to your feelings and used for emotional healing or enhancing your feminine energy, as well as used in moon rituals.
Bonus 2:
Butterfly carvings
Butterflies have been symbols for many things throughout history, especially transformation. The butterfly’s journey from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly is a metaphorical journey we humans can relate to. They have a strong connection to nature and air signs. Butterflies can also be a reminder of life's fleeting moments and the importance of embracing joy and freedom, as you never know when it is over. Butterflies can symbolize hope, recovery, and new beginnings, and have been used as symbols of connection to past loved ones by many. Butterflies also symbolize the transcendence from physical realm to enlightenment. They are wonderful for meditation, accessing spirit guides, and astral travel.
Hopefully this post gave you some info that is helpful to you! I'd love to hear from you... feel free to comment on this post or shoot me an email. Also, reach out on Instagram where I post some fun energy-related content and other useful info related to our chakras and working with crystals.
Peace & Love,
Krystle
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