Adornments:
Crystal Jewelry

The other day I was choosing a pendant for someone who has some significant grounding issues. In making my choice, I considered not only the stone needed, but what shape and design would be suitable. After I made my selection, I realized that, though this newsletter often addresses the subject of choosing crystals, there's never been an article on choosing jewelry.

In many ways, we choose jewelry using the same principles we use in selecting crystals, but there are some differences. You will almost certainly have more than one, and you may have dozens for various spiritual and decorative purposes. Your crystals may sit on an altar or on your desk. They may travel in your pocket. You may use them in a crystal layout and/or for the purpose of meditation. You may program a crystal and put it aside or carry it.

In contrast, jewelry is in direct contact with your body and aura during all your waking (and sometimes sleeping) hours. You will want to choose pieces whose color and design appeal to you.

Originally, I intended to include intuitional methods of choosing jewelry, but I soon realized that this article would become about twice as long as is ideal for email purposes. However, it's still a good idea, and I promise to have one on this subject soon.

I will, however, describe at the end of the article three Bach Flower Essences that can help with the decision-making process.

Jewelry Through the Ages

In choosing jewelry, you participate in an ancient tradition. Archaeological evidence indicates that even before the discovery of metal work, people drilled stones to make necklaces and amulets. Amber jewelry (not mineralogically a crystal) has been found in many ancient sites.

The Egyptians made crystal jewelry in many forms, using turquoise, lapis, amethyst, carnelian, jasper, malachite, and other stones. The pharoahs are said to have worn headdresses lined with malachite in order to help them rule wisely. This tradition continued through the ages with the wearing of crowns. Appropriate stones and metals used in creating this symbol of rulership were felt to align the brow and crown chakras with a ruler's higher self.

Religious leaders wore amethyst rings in order to connect them to their spiritual selves. Sapphire rings were worn to connect their wearers to celestial energies. People in many cultures also wore crystals as amulets to ward off negative energies.

The combination of crystals and particular shapes has also been popular throughout the ages. The Christian cross is one example, and the Celtic Cross, a pre-Christian symbol with arms of equal length, is another. The Claddagh ring, symbol of love, continues to be popular. Ankhs, eye of Horus designs, goddesses, and other devotional symbols, still serve to connect us to our spiritual intentions.

Choosing Your Jewelry

Today we are fortunate in that jewelry-making processes have resulted in jewelry being far more affordable than it was for our ancestors. You can own several pieces of jewelry and wear whatever suits your needs, moods, and wardrobe.

To help you in your selection process, I'm listing some elements to help in making the choice best for you.

Purpose of the Crystal

When you wear a crystal, its energy is always with you, so you need to consider what kind of energy will be most beneficial to you over a prolonged period of time.

Do you, like my friend, need grounding? Do you, in contrast, feel that you are well grounded and could use some lighter energy?

Are you looking for a crystal with a generally calming effect?

In the area of calming, amethyst tends to have a tranquilizing effect. It's especially helpful for those who tend to have an overabundance of nervous energy. It's also very helpful for sleeping problems. It relates to the third eye, or sixth chakra.

Rhodochrosite is especially helpful in encouraging deep breathing. It relates to the solar plexus. It is helpful for those who experience anxiety. Rhodochrosite is a good stone to wear when you're learning something new and feel anxious about it or if you are going through changes that bring up anxiety.

Do you have ongoing difficulty in deflecting negative energies? What form does this take? For example, it may feel that you are surrounded by a lot of negative people? It may feel that you have trouble separating your energy from theirs? You may feel depressed.

In the first case, you would want to wear black tourmaline, in the second, hematite, the third, smoky quartz or amber.

Other Ways to Narrow Down
Your Selections

The page on the chakras lists crystals related to particular chakras. Say your work requires you to be a skillful communicator. This would call for a crystal related to the fifth chakra. On this page you can read the various descriptions and click on the links for more detailed articles.

Maybe you're in a service position and want to express yourself fully while helping others. This would call for aqua aura.

You might feel the need for creative energy. Blue topaz addresses this need.

You may be communicating in situations where it's a challenge to maintain your peaceful center. Chrysocolla would be a good choice for this.

Power Designs

If you have a favorite power animal, you may want to incorporate its energy into your jewelry. My own jewelry includes designs incorporating images of wolves, cougars, and frogs.

Some of our jewelry has animal claws or teeth (all collected without harm to the animals). Go to our Jewelry Index Page and scroll down to or search for One of A Kind Crystal Jewelry.

Devotional motifs are also very popular. I'm particularly fond of our Tibetan jewelry.

Many people enjoy wearing angel and fairy jewelry, pentagrams, om designs, and other meaningful symbols.

Wearing with Intent

You can program any piece of jewelry in the same way you would program a crystal.

Below is one method of programming.

Hold the crystal in both hands and gaze into it.
Start breathing with slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling forcefully through your mouth.
Concentrate on what you want to program into the jewelry.
As you inhale see a visual image of what you want; imagine how it feels to have it; and repeat an affirmation to yourself.
With each exhale send your desire into the piece of jewelry.

Each time you put the jewelry on, remind yourself of your intention. Always make this reminder positive, i.e., "I am ready to receive . . ." instead of "I need . . ." or "I don't yet have . . ."

In similar fashion, if you wear a symbolic pendant, remind yourself of its meaning. "Angels are guiding me." "Wolf is teaching me intuition."

Decision-Making Helpers

Carnelian is probably the best crystal to use for helping in making decisions. Hold the stone and ask yourself the question you have in mind. I have seen this stone help countless times.

Three Bach Flower Remedies are helpful in decision-making.

Cerato is for people who find themselves needing to ask others' opinions often. "I know that citrine is supposed to be good for enhancing personal power, but what do YOU think? Would it be a good crystal for me to wear? Are you sure? Maybe I should get some more opinions."

Scleranthus people are torn between two, often opposite choices. "I really like clear quartz, a plain, simple pendant, but, oh, that beautiful and ornate turquoise and carnelian Tibetan cross!" By the way, getting both doesn't solve the problem. It will shift to deciding which to wear.

Wild Oat people bounce among a number of choices. "I love everything here and here and here." The issue is often one of making a commitment.