Typically when you think of things that relate to the paranormal, you most likely don't think of crystals. While crystals more commonly fall into the world of the metaphysical, the are commonly used by paranormal investigators for protection and scrying. Those two reasons alone is enough for me to write this article. Now, as there are hundreds of different crystals and variations this article will most likely be one that is updated often. And if there is a specific stone that you are looking for information on and you don't see it here, leave a comment below, it may be something that I already have plans to add, and it may be something that I have missed.

*At the time of me starting this blog posting, I had somewhat of a one track mind, and my goal was to get all the information added. In hindsight, I realized that its a lot of information so to make it easier to get through, I am doing a segmented blog posting. In part 1, I am going to go over a brief history behind crystals as well as a summary of what the the crystals are used for. As for the crystals themselves, I am going to list them alphabetically and split them into several parts that way you, the readers are not having to scroll and scroll through tons of crystals to get to the specific ones you are looking for.

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History of Crystals as Amulets

I think that it would be fair to say that the use of talismans goes back to the first human beings that walked the Earth, but there is no way for us to actually know, due to the earliest of amulets being organic in nature, but the earliest reference to the use of crystals was from the Ancient Sumerians who included crystals in their magical formulas. For the sake of this article, I am going to keep this section short and give a brief history of the use of crystals as amulets.

The oldest amulets to have been found were from a grave that was excavated from a grave in Sungir, Russia, which dates back 60,00 years, were beads carved of mammoth ivory, shell and fossilized shark teeth. 

Amulets of Baltic Amber from as early as 30,000 years ago and amber beads were discovered in Britain from around the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago. Another popular stone used in ancient amulets was Jet. Jet bracelets, beads and necklaces have been discovered in gravesites in Switzerland and Belgium that date back to the Palaeolithic era. Malachite is another popular one, which has been mined in Sinai since around 4000 B.C. 

The use of gemstones and crystals was prevalent in Ancient Egypt. Some of the crystals used include: Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Carnelian, Emerald and Quartz. The use of crystals include Jewelry, grave amulets some were ground into powder and used for paints/dyes and makeup. They primarily used crystals for protection and health reasons. Chrysolite, later identified as peridot, as well as topaz was used for protection from evil spirits as well as to combat night terrors. Galena (lead ore), was ground into a powder and used as eyeshadow known as kohl, and malachite was used for makeup as well. Green crystals and gemstones were were used to signify the heart of the dead and were used during the burial process. Later in Ancient Mexico green stones were used in a similar manner.

Many of the names and crystal properties that we use today are of Ancient Greek origin. The word crystal, originates from the Greek word "ice" due to the belief that clear quartz was actually water that had frozen so deeply that it would always remain solid. Amethyst is another word of Greek origin which means "not drunk" and was worn to prevent drunkenness as well as hangovers. Amethyst is one of the stones that I frequently wear as jewelry as well as being carried in my pocket, and I have noticed while wearing amethyst I was affected less by the affects of alcohol. Hematite is derived from the Greek Haima, which is the Greek word for blood. It is named as such due to the red colorization that occurs when raw Hematite is allowed to oxidizes. Hematite is an iron ore, and the Ancient Greeks associated iron with the God of War, Aries. The soldiers would rub hematite over their bodies before battles for protection during battles, and sailors wore various amulets to keep them safe at sea.

Jade is another stone that has held significance since ancient times. In China, jewelry, statues and instruments were made out of jade. Chinese emperors were also buried in jade armor. Burial masks made out of jade were found from the same period in Mexico. Jade has also been recognized to be a kidney healing stone in China as well as South America. More recently, from 250 years ago, the Maoris of New Zealand wore pendants representing the ancestor spirits that were made out of jade, that are passed through the male line through many generations.

Crystals and Religion

I was a little on the fence about this section as anything that has to do with religion has the potential to cause arguments, but is just as equally important. 

Just as crystals and gemstones have been important in ancient cultures, the same can be said for religions as crystals have played important roles in all religions. They are mentioned several times in the Bible, Koran and numerous other texts of religious origin. 

*The information that I am providing below is from research that I have done for this posting. The omission of important information is not intentional. If there is anything that I have forgotten to add, please email me and let me know and I will get the information added.

In the Koran, the 4th Heaven is composed of carbuncle (garnet)

In the Hindu/Buddhist Religion the Kalpa Tree is said to be made entirely of precious stone.

A Buddhist text from the 7th century describes a diamond throne near the Tree of Knowledge (the neem tree that Siddhartha meditated under)

In the Kalpa Sutra in Jainism, speaks of Harinegamesi the divine commander of the foot troops who seized 14 precious stones, cleansed them of their lesser qualities and retained only their finest essence to aid his transformations.

There is also an ancient lapidary treatise that is sacred. The Ratna Pariksha Buddhabhatta, is thought to be from the 6th Century, that is thought to be Hindu, but it is thought by some to be Buddhist. In this, diamonds are the king of gemstones, and are highly valuable. The Sanskrit word for diamond is Vajra, which is also the name of the Hindu Goddess Indra's thunderbolt. The ruby is also very highly revered as it represents the inextinguishable flame and is said to preserve both the physical and mental health of the wearer. This treatise includes several other gemstones and their properties.

This section would not be complete if I did not mention that in 355 AD amulets were banned by the Christian church. Ironically, gemstones continued to play an important role within the church. Sapphire was the favored gem for the  ecclesiastical rings.

It is said that the origin of birthstones date back to the Breastplate of Aaron, also known as the High Priest's Breastplate, which is mentioned in Exodus. The stones are said to represent the 12 tribes. See the link under image if you would like to learn more about the breastplate. 

The stones on the breastplate are thought to be

Emerald, Topaz, Carnelian, Diamond, Sapphire, Garnet, Amethyst, Agate, Amber, Chrysolite (Peridot), Ruby and heliodor.

Marbodus, the Bishop of Rennes in the 11th century, claimed that agate would make the wearer more agreeable, persuasive and in favor of God. There were also many symbolic references, such as the carbuncle representing Christ's sacrifice.

 Ceramic replica of the Breastplate of Aaron or the High Priest's Breastplate. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestly_breastplate 

The Renaissance

In the 11th Century, numerous medical treatises praised the virtues of crystals and stones to treat certain ailments, and were generally used alongside herbal remedies.

It was also thought that the sins of Adam corrupted gemstones, and was thought that they could potentially be inhabited by demons or they would lose their powers if touched by a sinner. It was believed that to prevent this, crystals should be sanctified and consecrated before wearing. This is where cleansing and charging crystals before being used originated from.