How to Choose Genuine Crystals

It matters because crystal therapy works with the natural properties and formation of each stone, and a piece of coloured glass or resin does not carry that natural character. Knowing what you are buying also protects your money and helps you place each crystal correctly by Vastu zone.

Crystals are sold everywhere today, from temple-town stalls to online marketplaces. Many sellers are honest, but imitation and heavily treated stones are common. A few simple checks help you choose with confidence.

Natural crystals usually show small inclusions, cloudiness or colour variation, while glass tends to look too perfect and may contain round air bubbles. Nature rarely produces flawless, evenly coloured stones at a low price.

Some popular crystals are frequently dyed, heated or replaced with look-alikes. Treatment is not always a problem, but it should be disclosed so that you know what you have.

Ask the seller to confirm the crystal's name, whether it is natural, and whether it has been dyed, heated or stabilised. A trustworthy seller answers clearly and is comfortable saying when they do not know.

Yes, avoid scratch tests, heat tests and chemical tests at home, because they can permanently damage a genuine stone. Visual checks, weight and temperature are safer starting points.

For costly gemstones, such as those used in navaratna jewellery, rely on a certificate from a recognised gem-testing laboratory rather than home methods. For everyday Vastu crystals, careful observation and an honest seller are usually enough.

Cleanse a new crystal before using it, because it may have absorbed energies while being mined, handled and transported. Choose a method that suits the stone, as some crystals fade in sunlight or are damaged by water or salt.

Choose a crystal for its purpose and for the Vastu zone where it will be placed, not only for its looks. Crystal therapy is most useful as part of a thoughtful plan for the space.

Citrine and pyrite are often associated with prosperity and the North or a cash counter, rose quartz with love and harmony in the South-West, amethyst with calm and restful sleep, and clear quartz with clarity and amplifying other remedies. Pick a size that sits comfortably in the space, and remember that one well-placed crystal is more useful than a crowded shelf.

Trust your response to a stone as well. Hold two or three options of the same crystal and notice which one feels pleasant and settled in your hand. A genuine crystal that you enjoy looking at, placed in the right zone and kept clean, becomes a quiet daily reminder of the intention you set for it.

Consider guidance if you are unsure which crystals suit your concerns, or if you want crystals placed as part of a Vastu correction. Dr. Kimaya Parikh-Ambekar selects crystals for specific zones, cleanses them with salt, sunlight or sound, and activates them with Reiki and Vedic mantras before placement.

VastuKimaya is based in Andheri East, with on-site visits across Mumbai and distant consultations using floor plans and photographs. Crystals support wellbeing and do not replace medical care.