How to Buy Gemstones and Crystals

Before buying crystals and gemstones, it’s a good idea to plan how you are going to use them. Over time, you may want to build up a collection with sets of stones for different purposes because the particular energies that are intended for one use may not be relevant in another. Write up a "shopping list" for your stone collecting before heading out the door. If you are like me, you’ll find that it is easy to get sidetracked like a kid in a candy store when confronted with an array of beautiful crystals and gemstones.

People have been attracted to gemstones since prehistoric times. While beauty plays a part in their appeal, it's their energy that has a powerful impact on us. If you like to wear crystals or place gemstones around your house, you are aware of their power. The practice of gemstone feng shui combines the wisdom of gemstones and crystals with the ancient art of feng shui to invite positive change into your life.

There are many sources for crystals and gemstones. New Age and Pagan shops frequently carry them, as do museum gift shops and earth science stores. Rock and fossil shops are great sources and you can count on them to correctly identify the less popular types of stones. Ask and look for notices of upcoming mineral shows, which are excellent venues for finding a stunning range of crystals and gemstones, as well as learning more about them.

Once you have found a place to buy your crystals and gemstones, and have located one that is on your shopping list, take a few moments to hold it in the palm of your hand. Close your fingers over it or hold it between both palms to get a sense of its energy. Think of how you are planning to use it. If you are going to use it to represent the element water, think of water. If the stone still feels good as you think of an element, then it’s the right stone. Don’t expect a thunderbolt or choir of angels to let you know you’ve chosen the right one. Clues tend to be much more subtle. Trust your intuition, you just might "know" it’s the right stone for you.

Also follow your intuition if something doesn’t "feel" right. You may not be able to pinpoint what it is about a particular stone, but if this happens it’s just not the right one with which you should do energy work. Don’t take it personally, just listen to your heart-of-hearts.

Stones that you trade or receive from friends can be very special. Ones that you find yourself are gifts directly to you from Mother Earth. If you are not sure about the identification of a stone you find, take it to a rock shop and ask for advice. Don’t be shy, most rock hounds are happy to share their knowledge. Whatever way a stone comes into your life be sure to clean and prepare it for energy work. Even one that comes from your best friend should be prepared in order for it to react more richly and fully with your own energy.

Open yourself to the wisdom of gemstones and crystals, and they will help you transform the energy around you. Go with the flow and enjoy their magic.