The Earth’s Oldest Prayers
Throughout the ages, crystals have served not merely as ornament but as living memory of the Earth’s slow alchemy — conduits through which intention, vibration, and elemental power converge. From obsidian mirrors gazed into by seers to quartz amulets carried by medieval cunning folk, these stones have traced an unbroken line through the history of magic.
In modern witchcraft and Wicca, crystals are more than pretty curiosities: they are companions in the craft — anchors of focus, amplifiers of will, and resonant mirrors of the practitioner’s own inner landscape. Each mineral hums with its own frequency, aligning body, mind, and spell toward harmony and manifestation. Whether nestled on an altar, carried close to the skin, or woven into ritual, they lend texture to energy and permanence to prayer.
To work with crystals is to enter a dialogue with the mineral soul of the world — a quiet exchange between human intention and the patient intelligence of stone. It is an art as old as firelight and as current as breath, bridging the physical and the unseen, the ancient and the ever-becoming.
Explore Crystal Work
Choose a path below to dive into practice, safety, and advanced techniques.
Commonly Used Stones in Witchcraft
Seven frequent go-tos you’ll see in practice and on pages. The full A–Z list follows below.
Clear Quartz
Appearance: Clear hex points. Uses: Amplify workings, clarity; universal substitute. Care: Sun/moon; water ok.
Amethyst
Appearance: Violet to lavender. Uses: Psychic hygiene, dreamwork. Care: Prefer moonlight; prolonged sun may fade.
Obsidian (Black)
Appearance: Glassy black. Uses: Banishing, cord-cutting, mirror scrying. Care: Moon; avoid scratches.
Selenite (Gypsum)
Appearance: Satin/fibrous; very soft. Uses: Clears tools/space, channel opening. Care: Keep dry; moonlight best.
Pyrite
Appearance: Metallic “fool’s gold.” Uses: Money draw, bold aura, protection. Care: Keep dry; brief sun/smoke.
Rose Quartz
Appearance: Translucent pink. Uses: Self-love, compassion, gentle repair. Care: Moon; avoid long sun.
Tiger’s Eye
Appearance: Silky “eye” band. Uses: Brave judgment, ward against envy. Care: Sun/moon.
Crystal Work: Stone-by-Stone (A–Z)
Tap a stone to open concise notes: appearance, uses, care, lore, and safety.
A
Amber
Appearance: Fossilized resin, honey tones. Uses: Protection, ancestral bonds, soothing. Care: No chemicals/heat; soft cloth. Safety: Flammable; no elixirs.
Amazonite
Appearance: Green feldspar with white streaks. Uses: Calm communication, healthy no’s. Care: Moon/smoke; avoid harsh sun.
Amethyst
Appearance: Violet to lavender. Uses: Psychic hygiene, dreamwork. Care: Prefer moonlight; prolonged sun can fade.
Ametrine
Appearance: Purple/yellow zones. Uses: Blend insight with momentum. Care: Moon or brief sun.
Angelite (Anhydrite)
Appearance: Soft matte blue. Uses: Compassionate messages, prayer. Care: Keep dry; moon/smoke. Safety: Water-sensitive.
Apache Tear (Obsidian)
Appearance: Rounded obsidian nodules. Uses: Gentle release, mourning rites. Care: Moon/earth; avoid scratches.
Apatite
Appearance: Vivid blues/greens; softer. Uses: Study, idea flow. Care: Moon; avoid abrasion/soak.
Aura Quartz (Angel/Aqua/etc.)
Appearance: Iridescent sheen. Uses: Celebration, uplift. Care: Gentle cloth; avoid abrasives. Safety: Treated surface.
Aquamarine
Appearance: Pale blue prisms. Uses: Soothing communication, journey luck. Care: Moon; long sun may fade.
Azurite
Appearance: Royal blue crusts. Uses: Visioning, study. Care: Keep dry; fragile. Safety: Copper mineral—no elixirs.
Azurite–Malachite
Appearance: Swirled blue-green. Uses: Transformation + truth. Care: Dry only. Safety: Copper minerals—no elixirs.
B
Black Coral (ethical)
Appearance: Dark organic skeletal pieces. Uses: Deep waters work, protection. Care: Dry cloth. Safety: Source ethically; no elixirs.
Black Moonstone
Appearance: Dark with sheen. Uses: New moon, introspection. Care: Moon; avoid knocks.
Black Onyx
Appearance: Opaque black; sometimes dyed. Uses: Centering, grief steadiness. Care: Moon/earth. Safety: Dye may bleed.
Black Tourmaline
Appearance: Vertical striations. Uses: Banishing, protection. Care: Earth/smoke; brittle edges.
Bloodstone (Heliotrope)
Appearance: Green chalcedony with iron-red spots. Uses: Valor, endurance. Care: Sun/earth; durable.
Blue Calcite
Appearance: Soft, waxy blue; soft mineral. Uses: Calm, learning. Care: Moon; avoid soak.
Blue Kyanite
Appearance: Bladed crystals. Uses: Chakra “tuning,” bridges. Care: Moon/smoke; wrap to carry.
Blue Lace Agate
Appearance: Light blue bands. Uses: Anxiety relief, soft speech. Care: Moon.
Botswana Agate
Appearance: Fine banding. Uses: Habit release, steady mood. Care: Moon/earth.
C
Caribbean Calcite
Appearance: Turquoise/cream bands. Uses: Ease, soft creativity. Care: Soft—avoid soak.
Carnelian
Appearance: Warm oranges, waxy. Uses: Momentum, passion. Care: Sun ok.
Celestite
Appearance: Pale blue cluster; brittle. Uses: Sleep/dream aid. Care: Keep dry; moon.
Charoite
Appearance: Fibrous lilac-black swirls. Uses: Shadow alchemy, purpose. Care: Moon; gentle cloth.
Chrysocolla
Appearance: Turquoise-like matrix. Uses: Heart-throat bridge. Care: Dry only.
Chrysoprase
Appearance: Bright green chalcedony. Uses: Fresh starts, forgiveness. Care: Moon; avoid heat.
Citrine
Appearance: Natural pale; many clusters are heat-treated amethyst. Uses: Confidence, success. Care: Sun brief/moon.
Clear Quartz
Appearance: Hex points; rainbows/phantoms. Uses: Amplify, clarity, universal substitute. Care: Sun/moon; water ok.
Copal
Appearance: Pale resin; soft. Uses: Cleansing, sunny uplift. Care: Very delicate; no heat/chemicals.
Crackle Quartz
Appearance: Internal fractures; often dyed. Uses: Joy, color magic. Care: Gentle cleaning.
D
Dalmatian “Jasper”
Appearance: Beige with black spots. Uses: Joyful wards, pet work. Care: Sun/moon.
Dumortierite
Appearance: Blue needle inclusions. Uses: Focus, patience. Care: Sun/moon.
E
Emerald
Appearance: Rich green, included. Uses: Loyal love, insight. Care: Avoid harsh cleaners.
F
Fire Agate
Appearance: Bubble-like iridescence. Uses: Will, protection. Care: Sun/moon.
Fluorite
Appearance: Cubic; banded colors. Uses: Mental tidy, research. Care: Moon; avoid soak/heat.
G
Garnet
Appearance: Wine-red; dodecahedral. Uses: Commitment, life-force. Care: Sun/moon.
Green Aventurine
Appearance: Green with sparkle. Uses: Opportunity, healing. Care: Sun/moon.
H
Hematite
Appearance: Heavy metallic; red-brown streak. Uses: Boundaries, decisions. Care: Avoid saltwater.
Howlite
Appearance: White with grey veins. Uses: Sleep, de-stress. Care: Moon; often dyed as “turquoise.”
I
Iolite
Appearance: Pleochroic blue-violet. Uses: Pathfinding, inner sight. Care: Moon.
J
Jade (Nephrite/Jadeite)
Appearance: Waxy/tough. Uses: Prosperity with peace. Care: Water ok; avoid harsh cleaners. Note: Many imitations.
Jet
Appearance: Lightweight black. Uses: Protective grief ally. Care: Soft cloth; avoid abrasives.
K
Kunzite
Appearance: Pale pink; pleochroic. Uses: Gentle heart opening. Care: Sun can fade; moon best.
L
Labradorite
Appearance: Dark base with color flash. Uses: Liminal work, intuition. Care: Moon; avoid heat.
Lapis Lazuli
Appearance: Blue with pyrite/calcite. Uses: Oaths, ritual authority. Care: Avoid soaking; moon.
Larimar
Appearance: Blue/white marbling. Uses: Peace, communication. Care: Moon; avoid heat.
Lepidolite
Appearance: Lilac mica flakes. Uses: Soothing, transition support. Care: Keep dry; soft.
Libyan Desert Glass
Appearance: Yellow impactite. Uses: Sovereignty, solar will. Care: Gentle cloth.
Lodestone (Magnetite)
Appearance: Naturally magnetic. Uses: Draw/repel workings. Care: Keep dry; oily wipe.
M
Malachite
Appearance: Concentric bands. Uses: Deep change, travel ward. Care: Dry only. Safety: Toxic dust—no elixirs.
Moldavite
Appearance: Green glassy, etched. Uses: Breakthroughs, catalyst. Care: Gentle cloth; authenticity matters.
Moonstone
Appearance: Adularescent sheen. Uses: Lunar rites, timing. Care: Moon; avoid knocks.
Morganite
Appearance: Soft pink. Uses: Compassion, gentle bonding. Care: Moon.
Mookaite (Jasper)
Appearance: Red-yellow-cream swirls. Uses: Earthy vigor, ancestors. Care: Sun/moon.
Moss Agate
Appearance: Clear with mossy inclusions. Uses: Prosper gardens, new ventures. Care: Sun/moon.
N
O
Obsidian (Black)
Appearance: Glassy black. Uses: Banishing, mirror scrying. Care: Moon; avoid scratches.
Obsidian (Mahogany)
Appearance: Brown/black swirls. Uses: Rooted wards. Care: Moon.
Obsidian (Snowflake)
Appearance: Grey “snowflakes.” Uses: Gentle shadow work. Care: Moon.
Opalite (Glass)
Appearance: Milky iridescent glass. Uses: Mood lift, glam-magic. Note: Not a natural stone.
Orthoceras/Ammonite (Fossils)
Appearance: Fossil shells/inclusions. Uses: Lineage, patience. Care: Gentle cleaning.
P
Peach Moonstone
Appearance: Peach sheen. Uses: Self-kindness, fertility rites. Care: Moon.
Pearl / Mother-of-Pearl / Shell
Appearance: Lustered nacre. Uses: Calm, intuition. Care: Avoid acids/chemicals.
Peridot (Olivine)
Appearance: Bright green gems. Uses: Fresh starts, joy. Care: Avoid heat/shock.
Petrified Wood
Appearance: Wood grain turned stone. Uses: Ancestors, land bonds. Care: Sun/moon.
Picture Jasper
Appearance: Landscape patterns. Uses: Narrative magic, rooted calm. Care: Sun/moon.
Prehnite (with Epidote)
Appearance: Soft green, sometimes black needles. Uses: Declutter energy, prepare paths. Care: Moon.
Pyrite
Appearance: Metallic “fool’s gold.” Uses: Money draw, bold aura. Care: Keep dry; brief sun/smoke.
Q
Quartz (Rutilated)
Appearance: Needles in clear quartz. Uses: Intent threading, clarity. Care: Sun/moon.
R
Red Aventurine
Appearance: Brick/red sparkle. Uses: Follow-through, energy. Care: Sun/moon.
Red Jasper
Appearance: Opaque red. Uses: Brave heart, rooted will. Care: Sun/moon.
Rhodochrosite
Appearance: Pink/white banding. Uses: Tender repair, joy. Care: Keep dry; soft.
Rhodonite
Appearance: Pink with black manganese. Uses: Reconciliation, steadiness. Care: Moon.
Rose Quartz
Appearance: Translucent pink. Uses: Self-love, compassion. Care: Moon; avoid long sun.
S
Sardonyx
Appearance: Banded sard/onyx. Uses: Integrity, vows. Care: Sun/moon.
Selenite (Gypsum)
Appearance: Fibrous satin; very soft. Uses: Clearing tools/space. Care: Keep dry; self-cleansing.
Septarian (Dragon Stone)
Appearance: Nodule with cracks/veins. Uses: Group bonds, stability. Care: Sun/moon.
Serpentine (“New Jade”)
Appearance: Opaque green/yellow. Uses: Energy rise, adaptability. Care: Moon.
Shungite
Appearance: Matte to shiny black. Uses: Purification, shielding intentions. Care: Dry cloth; moon.
Smoky Quartz
Appearance: Clear smoke tint. Uses: Neutralize heaviness; grief support. Care: Sun/earth.
Sodalite
Appearance: Blue with white streaks. Uses: Reasoned speech, study. Care: Moon.
Sunstone
Appearance: Aventurescent feldspar. Uses: Confidence, luck. Care: Sun ok; smoke/sound.
T
Tektite (general)
Appearance: Black/brown glassy drops. Uses: Rapid movement, change rites. Care: Gentle cloth.
Tiger’s Eye
Appearance: Silk “eye” band. Uses: Bravery, ward envy. Care: Sun/moon.
Tourmalinated Quartz
Appearance: Tourmaline threads in clear quartz. Uses: Filter/ground intentions. Care: Sun/moon.
Tree Agate
Appearance: White with green dendrites. Uses: Home wards, plant allies. Care: Sun/moon.
Turquoise
Appearance: Blue/green with matrix. Uses: Travel luck, truthful speech. Care: Most stones are stabilized; avoid chemicals.
U
Unakite
Appearance: Pink feldspar + green epidote. Uses: Healing integration. Care: Sun/moon.
V
Variscite
Appearance: Soft mint, often veined. Uses: Ease fear, open heart. Care: Moon; avoid chemicals.
Z
Zoisite (Ruby in Zoisite)
Appearance: Green zoisite with ruby spots. Uses: Creative spark with grounding. Care: Sun/moon.
