While crystals are not scientifically proven to have any benefits, some people use crystals for their fabled healing abilities. The recent rise in crystal popularity on social media platforms has further sparked the appreciation for crystals. Click below to explore a few of the crystals that MVHS students use in their daily lives.

Black Tourmaline

Black Tourmaline is a powerful crystal used to divert negative energy such as anxiety, stress and anger. This grounding crystal is formed from the element boron, which is commonly found in the magma of volcanoes. When the molten rock cools down, it forms coarse pegmatite rocks which contain black tourmaline. Black Tourmaline’s inky appearance consists mostly of small ridges and smooth surfaces. For Sanei, Black Tourmaline is a crystal that helps her emotionally and mentally. 

“If I’m not feeling too great that day, I’ll probably wear my Black Tourmaline necklace because it protects against negative energies,” Sanei said. “I just wear whatever crystal that I feel like wearing at that moment, so it’s kind of different every day. Although it doesn’t just completely get rid of anxiety or stress, I feel like it definitely does help.”

Tiger’s Eye

Tiger’s Eye has a silky smooth texture with opaque brown and gold stripes. The physical appearance and spiritual essence of the crystal embodies living boldly and fiercely, much like tigers. The Ancient Egyptians have a long standing history with Tiger’s Eye — the crystal was believed to bear the power of both the sun and the earth and was also rumored to be able to transmit the sun god Ra’s power. Additionally, in Ancient Egypt, Tiger’s Eye golden bands were said to bring out bravery and help discover a person’s inner warrior. Tiger’s Eye also works well with Leo’s, or people born between July 23 and Aug. 22. Freshmen Ishi Chopra believes that Tiger’s Eye correlates with her astrology sign by bringing her positive energy.

“I think [crystals] do impact me mentally and physically,” Chopra said. “I love Tiger’s Eye for physical exercise because I’m horrible at running. When I wear Tiger’s Eye, it really helps bring out the inner me. It boosts my confidence and gives me enthusiasm to help me [get] through the day.”

Carnelian

Carnelian’s warm glow and aura focuses on positive energy and promotes creativity. The fire themed crystal acquires its color from iron oxide and has a waxy appearance. The significance of carnelian dates back to Ancient Egypt, where it was believed to represent the setting sun and the cleansing of each new day. Carnelian was also commonly worn by alchemists, thus becoming a symbol of status that was rumored to ward off sickness. Sophomore Brianna Young’s trust and belief in crystals makes them significant to her.

“[My favorite crystal] is Carnelian,” Young said. “I think it really can bring my confidence up and make me feel better about myself. Whenever I have it around me, I always notice that I receive more positive attention or [I’m] drawn to positive things and people.”

Selenite

Selenite has a clear and peaceful appearance and is rumored to combat insomnia. Named after the ancient Greek goddess of the moon, Selene, this crystal is a part of the gypsum mineral family. In its raw form, the translucent stone towers along crowded caves in Mexico, Morocco and Madagascar, spreading up to 13 meters long and two meters wide. Sanei points out another use of the calcium-stone: charging other crystals to restore them to their natural, energized state. 

“I really like Selenite because I did a lot of research on it and it’s supposed to help you fall asleep,” Sanei said. “At first I wasn’t sure if I really believed in it, so I would keep it with me when I [went] to bed and it actually helped me fall asleep faster. You can practice your crystals however you want. You don’t necessarily have to charge your crystals, it depends on what you believe in. But if you do believe in cleansing … a lot of people charge them with Selenite.” 

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz symbolizes universal love, reunion and the ignition of affection. The pink crystal varies from pale shades to vibrant hues. Rose Quartz also has an extremely assuring presence that fights off negativity and restores emotional balance to the user. Sophomore Catherine Yao appreciates Rose Quartz for its cleansing and healing properties, but favors it for its ability to open a person’s heart.

“My favorite crystal is Rose Quartz,” Yao said. “[Rose Quartz] is a good healing crystal that helps you find love and I think that’s really important to me because it’s easy to feel isolated, especially since we’ve been in quarantine for so long. I wear it everywhere I go and it just makes me feel safe.” 

Cherry Creek Jasper

Cherry Creek Jasper is named after a creek in Mainland China, where it was discovered in 2010. This stone combines smooth surfaces with brittle edges and is a fusion of red, brown, white and green tones. Its unique colors are known to resemble that of cherries and trees, and its distinctive look sets it apart from popular, shiny crystals. This stimulative stone maintains earthly roots that give it a grounding nature, focused on balance and relaxation. Crystal users claim that this stone nurtures and provides support in times of stress or hardship; similarly, sophomore Arshia Rikhi has observed a clear difference between days when she is with and without the stone.

“In the first week of school, I didn’t wear the Cherry Creek Jasper until Thursday or Friday,” Rikhi said. “Those two days ended up being my favorite days [of the week] and they were the most calm and nice … I didn’t really enjoy the first three days and I remember going home and crying on those days. I didn’t like going back to school in person immediately but I feel like the crystals, even if it was a coincidence, helped me calm down.”