Recently I've had a few folks reach out asking for recommendations on crystals for beginners, so I want to share a few of my favorites for those who are just learning about working with stones energetically.
This article will outline specific types of crystals that I recommend for beginners (and for everyone, really!), but if you'd like to deep dive more into the scientific side of things, and learn the difference between terms like rock and mineral, check out my blog: Crystal vs Mineral: What's the Difference?
Important Note
You certainly don't need all of these to start off, just choose which ones resonate with you in this moment and you can always expand your collection in the future. If you are feeling indecisive, I would say clear quartz and amethyst are two of my top recommended crystals for beginners, because clear quartz can be used for any intention, and amethyst is both soothing and protective.
There is no singular "right" or "wrong" way to work with crystals, and you can start with whichever stones you feel drawn to (whether they're on this list or not). These are simply a few that are easily found at crystal shops, are affordable, and approachable to work with when you're just getting started.
A graphic with photos of crystals for beginners mentioned in this article (from top left to right): Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Fluorite, Pyrite, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz; (from bottom left to right) Clear Quartz, Amazonite, Sodalite, Citrine, Tiger's Eye, Black Tourmaline.
12 Crystals for Beginners
Please note: Some of the crystals listed below overlap on properties, so you certainly don't need all ten of them. I included some with similar energy so that you would have alternative options based on budget and availability, and extra suggestions to work with.
Clear Quartz
Clear quartz is pure quartz, sometimes referred to as "rock crystal". This material is colorless and transparent, and while there are gorgeous quartz deposits in the US (especially Arkansas!), most clear quartz on the crystal market is sourced from Madagascar or Brazil.
Often called "the master healer", clear quartz is one of the best crystals for beginners because it's versatile and can be used for any intention, plus it can amplify the energy of any stones you pair it with. Quartz promotes positive energy, healing, mental clarity, and spiritual growth, and can be used for any ritual or practice.
Amethyst
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. While there are domestic deposits of amethyst in the US, most amethyst we enjoy on the crystal market is sourced from Madagascar or Brazil.
A stone of stress relief, spiritual protection, and purification, Amethyst aids in meditation and can also encourage restful sleep. This stone can clear one’s energy field of negative influences and facilitate the creation of an energetic shield (for protection). Amethyst is also excellent for spiritual guidance and tapping into your intuition, so you can ensure you are on the right path and working towards your goals.
Citrine
Citrine is the yellow variety of quartz. Natural citrine is actually much rarer than you'd think, and is one of the most commonly faked crystals on the market. If you'd like to learn more about spotting fake/treated citrine, check out my blog post and if you are in search of natural citrine, I sell it on my website. If citrine isn't in your budget currently, pyrite has similar properties.
Citrine helps to absorb negative energy and attract positive energy, and can help develop a more positive mindset. Smoky citrine especially is said to be a very powerful mood lifter. A powerful manifestation stone, it can attract abundance & prosperity. In the Middle Ages, citrine was known as "the merchant's stone" because sellers would keep it in their shop till to attract success and wealth.
Pyrite
Pyrite is a sulfide mineral that is sometimes known as "fool's gold" because of it's gorgeous golden-yellow color and metallic luster. Though we have some stunning domestic deposits in the US, pyrite you see on the larger crystal market is often sourced from Peru.
Pyrite invites abundance, prosperity, success and wealth. It also supports motivation and stepping into your personal power. It's great for when you need encouragement or uplifting energy.
Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz is the pink variety of quartz. Sometimes it has more reddish hues, and other times it is more bluish or grey, but you will most often see it in varying shades of pink. Most of the Rose Quartz you see on the crystal market is from Brazil or Madagascar.
The stone of unconditional love, meditating with Rose Quartz activates the heart and can aid in emotional healing and releasing both stress and tension. As much as Rose Quartz is a stone for relationships, it is also a stone of reawakening trust and focusing on love for oneself.
Sometimes Rose Quartz can feel a little overwhelming for folks who are just getting started on their crystal journey. That could just mean that you aren't feeling pulled to work with it yet. Always trust your intuition, and if you feel drawn to it - go for it. If not, there are plenty of other crystals for beginners to start with.
Amazonite
Amazonite is a green/blue-green variety of microcline (sometimes applied to orthoclase), a mineral in the feldspar family. Most Amazonite that you see on the crystal market is from Brazil or Madagascar, though you will sometimes see Russian or Peruvian Amazonite as well.
A stone of harmony and balance, Amazonite has a very calming energy. It is often recommended as a tool to facilitate open and honest communication. Amazonite encourages you to speak up for yourself and others, and it supports your intuition.
Fluorite
Fluorite is a halide mineral that comes in a variety of colors: green, blue, purple, yellow, clear, and pink. You will often find Rainbow Fluorite on the market, which exhibits gorgeous bands of greens, blues, purples, and/or clear fluorite. While we have some renowned localities of Fluorite in the US, most of the cut and polished Rainbow Fluorite that you see on the market comes from China and Mexico. There are prized deposits of fluorite worldwide.
Often said to "bring order out of chaos", Fluorite is a stone of balance and stability. It's said to aid in focus and mental clarity, and to help calm the mind.
Different colors of fluorite have additional properties:
Green Fluorite: encourages growth, renewal, heart healing, balance, cleansing.
Purple Fluorite: enhances intuition, spiritual awareness, wisdom, stress relief, sleep support.
Blue Fluorite: calming, soothing energy, communication, clarity, decision-making.
Yellow Fluorite: confidence, creativity, growth and empowerment, self-confidence.
Sodalite
Sodalite is a mineral that resembles feldspar in some ways (a feldspathoid), but has a distinct structure. Most Sodalite that you find on the crystal market is from Brazil, China, or India.
Sodalite has a very calming vibe, it’s all about balance and releasing anger/frustrations. It can reduce stress and anxiety, and encourages healthy detachment and boundaries. Sodalite strengthens a clear feeling of who you are and helps shed everything that doesn’t align with that. It's also known as a stone of wisdom.
Carnelian
Carnelian is the brownish-red and redish-orange variety of the mineral chalcedony (a silica mineral composed of very fine quartz). Most Carnelian that you find on the crystal market is from Brazil and Madagascar.
Please note: virtually all carnelian on the market is treated to enhance the natural color - this is a standard industry practice. I do have some untreated carnelian on my website, but this is not commonly available, and it's safe to assume all carnelian you encounter has been treated.
Carnelian has a warm and joyful energy, it's very empowering. Carnelian motivates and inspires endurance, leadership, and courage. A stone of vitality, it can give you an energy boost. Carnelian is also known as a protective stone that can help reduce anxiety as well.
Tiger's Eye
Tiger's Eye is technically a metamorphic rock, with beautiful red-brown to gold coloring, and a silky luster with a cat's eye optical effect. Most Tiger's Eye on the healing crystal market comes from Brazil, India, and China.
A good luck charm, Tiger's Eye can assist in gaining advantage. It’s a grounding stone that inspires action and focus, and enhances your purpose and drive.
Smoky Quartz
Smoky Quartz is the brown to black variety of quartz. Most polished Smoky Quartz that you find on the crystal market is from Brazil, Madagascar or China, but there are worldwide deposits of this material with renowned specimens in other localities as well.
Known for its grounding properties, Smoky Quartz is also a great tool for protection. This stone enhances practicality and organization, and transmutes negative energy into positive energy. Smoky Quartz is one of my favorite crystals for beginners because it's so accessible to find and work with.
Black Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a mineral group that consists of a wide variety of colors (just about every color of the rainbow!), but I'm specifically focusing on Black Tourmaline because it's the most common color, it's widely available, and it's affordable. Most Black Tourmaline that you find on the healing crystal market is sourced from Brazil , China, and Madagascar, but there are other deposits in Nigeria and Namibia as well.
Black Tourmaline is the ultimate protection stone, it blocks negativity and toxic energy, and is said to protect against EMF. It's potent grounding properties help to disperse tension and stress, and promote emotional balance.
Smoky Quartz and Black Tourmaline have a lot of overlap in properties, so you don't need both of them right off the bat - you can choose which one resonates most with you. Obsidian is another alternative that I often recommend with grounding and protection properties, as one of my favorite crystals for beginners.
I hope that this gives you a starting point on your crystal journey. If you are looking to add to your collection, I've curated a spot on my website with all 12 of these crystal recommendations.
Important note: Healing crystals should be used as a complement to other therapies and not as a replacement for medical treatment, diagnosis, or examination. For medical advice, please consult a licensed healthcare specialist.
