Healing crystals are believed to have qualities that can help them transcend and transmute emotions. Some even argue they can help alleviate headaches, eliminate negativity, cleanse our chakras, enhance communication, and promote a calm atmosphere. So, as we enter a new season and year, it’s the perfect moment to consider how we might use them as a tool to refresh the energy in our homes and personal spaces. Consider this a magical opportunity to escape the staleness of fall. Those vibes are so last season!
I’ve always had a love affair with crystals (the first career I dreamed of as a child was to be a gemologist). Not only are they beautiful to look at, but their potency is unrivaled. Every time I would stand by the giant amethyst geode at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, a wave of calm would consume me. As a result, I wore an amethyst pendant for years to help alleviate my anxiety and promote relaxation. I’m a firm believer in their benefits—so here’s how crystal healing might help you in 2026.
Why are crystals considered a healing tool?
Chelsea Selby, owner and founder of Witch Baby Soap, explains that the impact of a crystal is subliminal, but effective. “It’s a tiny powerhouse in the background, activating or even clearing certain energies in your auric field,” she says. “When we walk through life, we don’t just walk through a physical environment—we walk through an energetic one as well. Sometimes, like picking up dirt on your shoes, we pick up heavy or negative energies that can cause energetic blockages and stagnation.” She adds that crystals can also “help cleanse away any energies holding you back from your highest good.”
How to use crystals at home
Arranging crystals in the home can help shift the flow and make your space feel more comfortable. Corbin Chamberlin, a magical practitioner and owner of the perfumery Sage Salt, has done crystal curating for “some of the biggest corporations in the world,” he says, including everything from palm stones for marketing teams to a 12,000-pound quartz installation anchoring a corporate lobby.
Chamberlin says that “the entrance to a home or office sets the tone. It’s the point of arrival—for people, conversations, and whatever they carry in with them. I tend to think of it as a place where boundaries are quietly established.” He recommends black tourmaline for an entryway: The stone is used for warding off evil spirits and offers protection, which is necessary when people come into our personal space.
“Common areas hold collective energy,” he continues. “They’re where people gather, talk, and pass through, so stones placed here tend to influence the overall feel of a home or office.” For this, he recommends clear quartz as the best crystal. “It works well in these spaces because it’s neutral and amplifying, it takes on the intention of the environment rather than overpowering it,” he explains. “In professional settings, citrine can add warmth and brightness. If a space tends to feel heavy or overstimulating, smoky quartz can help bring things back down to earth.”
Crystals in the bedroom are especially popular, as many believe that when we sleep, we go to the astral plane. As a result, we can be vulnerable if we aren’t safeguarded. “Bedrooms are more sensitive, which is why I’m careful about what goes near the bed,” Chamberlin says. “Some stones can feel too active for a space meant for rest.” He suggests using “softer, more calming stones — rose quartz, selenite, or moonstone—but this is very personal.”
Chamberlin explains that stone placement in a workspace ultimately depends on the kind of work being done. “Amethyst is often associated with intuition and creativity, which can be useful in decision-heavy environments,” he says. “Pyrite is traditionally linked to abundance and protection, especially in professional settings. If a space feels draining, aquamarine is worth spending time with to see if its softer energy resonates. Kyanite is another stone I return to often—it’s protective and tends to support big-picture thinking.”
Finally, Chamberlin urges us to pay attention to how the crystals make us feel over time. “If something feels distracting or off, it probably doesn’t belong there, no matter how beautiful it is,” he adds.
How to manifest goals with crystals
Crystals can be a great source of energy when expressing or calling in hopes and dreams. Spiritualist and tarot reader Sonia Ortiz’s pro tips on how to manifest with crystals begin with focusing on a single goal you want to manifest. “Pick a crystal whose color matches your intention,” she advises. “For example, rose quartz for love and relationships or tourmaline for protection.”
Once you’re ready, “pass the crystal through incense smoke or palo santo smoke. Sit down quietly and hold the crystal close to your heart. Speak your intention and visualize your goal clearly.” Ortiz recommended doing this during the New or Waxing Moon for maximum results. Afterwards, “feel free to carry the crystal around with you or build a simple altar with flowers and perfume to keep the vibe going. Show gratitude by saying thank you."
If you’re looking to manifest love, Ortiz advises on rose quartz and recommends “holding it close to your heart.”
Meanwhile, “if manifesting protection, spray yourself and your crystal with Florida water or a sag spray,” Ortiz says. “You can keep it in your purse, pocket, or on the dashboard of your car.”
According to Ortz, “If manifesting abundance, take an aventurine and dab some cinnamon powder on it. Set your intention and keep it in your pocketbook. Make sure your bag never touches the floor! It is a surefire way to make sure the spell does not fail.”
How to care for your crystals
Yes, our crystals need cleansing too. Since crystals absorb energy, we must ensure they are not holding onto anything detrimental that could affect us.
Luckily, Yvette Montoya, owner of The Bratty Brujita Apothecary and Botanica, has plenty of sage advice from her own practice. “One of my favorite ways to cleanse them is by placing them on selenite, which is essentially a crystal cleansing crystal.” She also suggests “placing crystals under the moonlight and burying them in the earth for a few days.”
She also warns that not all crystals can be cleaned through more conventional means. “I usually don’t advise people to cleanse their crystals with water unless they know the properties of their crystal,” she says. “Some crystals, like unpolished malachite, can actually poison you, and crystals like halilite and selenite will actually completely dissolve in liquid.”