Common Crystals That Aren't Actually Crystals
In the Crystal Healing world, it's fairly common for "everything" to be referred to as a crystal... even if it's just a "rock", or a polished mineral, and in some cases, mineraloids!
Which is what I want to talk about, and bring your attention to some common "crystals" that aren't actually crystals - meaning, they have no crystalline structure.
All crystals are minerals, but not all minerals are crystals. In other words, all crystals are comprised of mineral(s) and have a repeating crystalline structure, but not all minerals actually form into a crystal formation (which is a whole other blog article topic)... And in some instances, "crystals" aren't even minerals or crystals at all!! And those are the ones I'm going to highlight below...
Mineraloids: "A naturally occurring mineral-like substance that does not demonstrate crystallinity." (source: Wikipedia)
Some mineraloids contain minerals, while others are comprised of organic material (i.e. wood, resin, glass), or a combination. And again, there's NO crystalline structure.
Before we get to the list, I want to remind you that all things are made of energy... So even though these aren't actually "crystals", they still have a unique energetic blueprint that you may be drawn to! So always listen to your intuition!
Examples of common "crystals" that are actually Mineraloids:
- Jet (compact coal)
- Shungite (98% carbon)
- Moldavite (tektite/glass)
- Obsidian (volcanic glass)
- Amber (tree resin)
- Opal (amorphous silica)
- Libyan Desert Glass (amorphous silica/impactite glass)
Which of these did you think was a crystal?
You can still use these similarly as you would use a crystal for crystal healing, because intentions when working with them, paired with energy work, are still very effective.
I hope this was beneficial in helping you understand more about crystal healing, and learning which "crystals" aren't actually crystals!
Reminder: They aren't any less special, they are just different than crystal energy.
Want to learn every more about Crystal energy? Check out my online beginner's class: Crystal Healing Basics!
Please keep in mind that each person is unique and will connect with crystals a little differently, so use your intuition when selecting crystals for yourself and how you work with them. These recommendations are not a substitute for medical treatments/advice, and it is recommended you consult a health professional for any medical concerns.
