Not all red crystals are created the same
This post is the companion to the YouTube video How to pick the right red crystal.
Red crystals are associated to the root chakra. They promote grounding, protection, and the sense of being anchored to the physical body and connected to the earth.
Red stones also help with taking away that "spacey-loopy" feeling after working with high vibration crystals. This happens when we are not able to process that energy through our energy system and ground it. This is a quality most red crystals share with the black ones. That is why crystals of both colors can be used for the root chakra.
Red crystals also promote physical health in different systems and organs. They are also crystals of vitality, passion, and courage. Now let’s take a look at the most common red crystals.
Red jasper
This crystal seems to be very popular lately. A lot of crystal teachers and websites are discussing red jasper these days and rightfully so. Jaspers are affordable and easily available. Red jasper is a great crystal for nurturing and for making you feel empowered but in such a nice healing way with its subtle energy. It promotes emotional stability, and that quality makes you look at problems and difficulties in a different way. When it comes to the physical, it is a great crystal for anything that has to do with reproductive systems and promotes healthy growth of the fetus. Red jasper works on the first three chakras: root, base, and solar plexus.
Bloodstone
This is a crystal of courage and justice according to different myths and legends. Bloodstone is known as the stone of martyrs. According to legend, it was created when the blood of Christ fell on red jasper at the foot of the cross. During the middle ages, bloodstone was used to carve scenes of martyrdom. When it comes to healing and lifting our vibration, it is best to set the legends aside. Suffering nor seeking reward from this low-vibration emotion is productive. When using bloodstone for any type of healing, we want to connect with the energy of courage, strength, and self-esteem.
Bloodstone can have more quartz, like the one on the left, or the red spots
Bloodstone is the crystal to gather the strength and courage to change your life to one aligned with your higher self and purpose. In other words, bloodstone is the crystal to summon your personal power.
Red garnet
Like many other stones, garnet comes in many colors and of course, the healing properties vary depending on the color. When it comes to garnet, there is an additional quality of prosperity to it. Red garnet is a stone of relationships and commitment. It removes energetic blocks and everything that takes away your vitality. For physical healing, this crystal is energizing, revitalizing, and a blood cleanser.
Red jade
This is a life force crystal. This crystal is about fearlessness, strength, and action. Is the fire running through your veins. The energy makes it an excellent physical healer and rejuvenator for those who feel or lost vitality. It also helps with pain and is a cleanser of filtration and elimination organs and systems.
Longevity is also associated to red jade. Is an excellent crystal for all kinds of healers to carry with you.
Red jade has a different chemistry than green but in the metaphysical aspect is as highly desirable. Like green jade, it positively affects prosperity but for very specific tasks: start-ups, promotions, a new job or business. Basically, the initiating tasks as opposed to long term goals.
Hematite
This is another one that comes in a variety of colors from black, grays, metallic, brown and red. The name comes from haima, the Greek word for blood. This crystal helps with the health of the blood, iron absorption, and with overcoming addictions. Do not combine with amethyst because they have opposing energies, one is dense and grounding while the other is high vibration. This is the reason why hematite is a great crystal for grounding excess energy from working with high vibration crystals.
For women who struggle with self-esteem and being confident, this is a crystal to add to the collection.
Red spinel
This crystal works by connecting base and heart chakra energies. It enhances passion and desire and like other red crystals, it brings vitality and optimism. Red spinel was taken for ruby in ancient times due to the similarity of the red tones.
Like black spinel, is not so easy to find in your neighborhood. I wanted to include it because there are three things this crystal helps us with that are so so critical in the times we are living:
Stress management, especially when it comes to things that make you fearful
Tolerance in the area of ideological differences or with those who do not align with your ideals
Relationship management
Ruby, Sapphire and Beryl
These crystals are expensive and some of them are rare. Rubies, sapphires are among the most precious gemstones together with diamonds and emeralds.
Ruby is connected to the root chakra but is also a heart chakra crystal. This stone enhances passion, vitality, motivation and is also associated with divine love and divine creativity.
I want to discuss red sapphire as a point of caution. Sapphires come in many colors but red is not one of them; it does not occur naturally. Red sapphire is the result of a modern chemical process but this does not mean is fake. Lab-grown gems have the same chemical properties as natural ones. There is no narrative of healing benefits for this specific lab created crystal. They are still expensive so be aware of this when investing on a gemstone for healing purposes.
Beryl comes in many colors. As for healing properties, beryl helps in dealing with stress and calming the mind. Famous members of this family are the green and blue ones: emerald and aquamarine. ome are of the opinion that is the crystal to deal with self-imposed (as in manifested) illness. Red beryl is exceedingly rare and is one of the most expensive gemstones in the planet.
Not all black crystals are created the same
We all own one or two or maybe more black crystals in our collection. A common characteristic of black crystals is that they are used for grounding and protection. Black crystals are a bit challenging because they almost look and feel the same. That is often the case with rocks.
Like red, black crystals are associated to the root chakra but many of them are strong earth chakra stones. Some of them work on the upper chakras and a lot of them are not crystals (in terms of chemical structure).
How do we know that we are using the correct crystal?
Let’s take a look at the properties of the crystals most commonly available in your favorite metaphysical store.
Black onyx
Onyx comes in different colors. Banded, multicolor and black are the most common. This is an immensely popular crystal for amulets and jewelry. It is an earth chakra crystal. For those whose energies are all scattered, it helps with concentration and to stay focused. It also helps to manage stress and grief. In the psychic aspect, black onyx is a good crystal to explore past lives and heal issues that created past lives trauma.
If you are exploring psychic abilities, use onyx to practice psychometry (the ability to discover facts about an event or person by touching inanimate objects associated with them).
Black obsidian
This is a rock that forms by rapid cooling of volcano lava. The cooling happens so fast that does not allow crystal growth. In the past it was used to make tools and weapons.
The best use for black obsidian is to shield from negativity and for cutting ties. This includes cutting off all those beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and habits that no longer serve us.
Snowflake obsidian is a variation of obsidian which is easy to recognize because of the white and light grey spots.
Obsidian is a good stone to use in developing psychic abilities for those interested in scrying.
Jet
Jet is fossilized wood. Like the other black stones, it shares the ability to protect and to ground. Jet is special though because it helps break with negative behavioral patterns and with irrational fears, like fear of dark forces or attacks.
Black Agate
Agate is a translucent variety of microcrystalline quartz. Is highly desirable for jewelry and accessories because of the variety of colors and the beautiful, banded patterns. Black agate is the crystal to help us see what lies beneath or what is behind what we are avoiding or fear. Is a good crystal to overcome obstacles and limitations. Its grounding and calming energy promotes balance of mind, body and spirit.
Shungite
The first thing to know about this rock is to make sure we obtain it from reputable dealers and stores. Shungite is known for being a purification stone, especially when used for treating water and for its anti-bacterial properties. That has to do with carbon content, which must be over 98%.
When it comes to the metaphysical, this stone works in the upper chakras. Like black tourmaline, it has that energy shield, protects from electromagnetic field radiation and psychic attacks. It also helps astral travel.
Other not so common but "must-have's"
Black spinel
Black spinel works like a grounding cord. Like black amethyst, this crystal will help healers recover from fatigue, and to ground excess high vibration energy. For all other healers, caregivers, and especially first responders included, who are exposed to a lot of pain and suffering resulting from tragic situations, black spinel helps with anger and grief.
Black amethyst
Black amethyst is amethyst with hematite inclusions. Is a “pick me up” crystal for healers that are working too much or feel burnt out. This is a crystal for the higher chakras, especially the third eye. It shares all the healing properties of the purple amethyst, but it has a grounding effect to it.
My top pick for black crystals is black tourmaline, check my other post on why I think black tourmaline is the bomb. You can find it anywhere, is affordable and it has layers of protection from the physical aspects all the way to psychic.
If you enjoyed this post, check out the YouTube video.