Recall, for just a moment, your last trip to your favorite metaphysical store. As you browsed through crystals, jewelry, and more, did you notice how many crystal shapes there were? Round ones, pointy ones, some that look like a clump of crystals stuck together. 

The shape of a crystal is important if you’d like to work with it in a certain way. But not all crystals started off in the shape that you see them in at the store.

Crystals come in many forms. You may find a cubic Pyrite or a rhombic Garnet with its shape unaltered by human hands. You look over and see a Rose Quartz heart or a Black Obsidian in the shape of a bear. Clearly noting that crystal did not just pop out of the ground as a whole ass bear. Then you may see a pointed crystal and be unsure if that is natural or man-carved. 

It’s fun to be curious about crystals! 

Especially if you’re a beginner. Getting to know the different crystal shapes and meanings will help make your healing work even more special. 

Don’t worry, if you’re not a beginner it’s never too late for you to expand your crystal knowledge.

Natural Crystal Shapes

Crystals come in all different shapes and sizes. The shape one has can affect how you use its energy and how it is used in your home or life. 

Natural stones form in the Earth in various shapes. Then rain, wind, and just nature in all her glory further change their form.

Unpolished, natural crystals come in many different shapes dependent upon the internal crystal structure. The crystal shape is formed by the ordered arrangement of the chemical elements which dictates the shape.

There are various crystal structures that inform the shape of how minerals and crystals will grow. The crystal lattice is the pattern that is repeated as the crystals grow into various crystal shapes.

The six main crystal shapes/systems are:

• Cubic 

• Tetragonal

• Hexagonal Trigonal

• Rhombic 

• Monoclinic 

• Triclinic

These words might sound like geometry to you but allow yourself to nerd out with me a minute here. These math-y names are the beautiful shapes our natural crystals come in!

You'll find that crystals in the quartz family grow in a hexagonal shape. As to where Pyrite grows in a cubic shape. And Garnets grow as either a dodecahedron (Rhombic) or in a cubic form. Rubies will grow in a flat tabular hexagonal shape. And Sodalite grows as more of a molten rock shape.

It’s pretty cool how geometry and spirituality come together like this. 

Man-Made Carved Crystal Shapes

The purpose of carving crystals into specific shapes has a long history. By combining a shape with the healing properties of a crystal you can work with either the sacred geometry or symbolic meaning of the crystal shape.

The important thing to remember about carved crystals is that it is done with the intention to embody either the sacred geometry of the shape or to enhance certain properties.

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Crystal Points + Generators

Single Crystal Points can be found naturally within the quartz family but also many crystals can be shaped by humans into a point. In a single terminated crystal, the energy is directed from, it comes from the base of the crystal and it flows out through that point.

When you see a crystal such as Sodalite that has been carved into point the energy may or may not be flowing out of the tip of the crystal because Sodalite doesn't grow into points.

Then there are generators that are naturally found within the quartz family and generators that are carved by man. A crystal point can be a natural generator but all crystal points are not generators.

For a single crystal, point to be a generator the tip of the crystal will be in the center of the crystal as all six faces meet in a similar triangular shape at the termination point. If some of the faces do not touch the tip, aka termination point, it is not a generator.

Points act as directors of energy while generators amplify and disperse energy. Both can be used in the center of a crystal grid or for other intentions.

Double-Terminated Crystal Points can be found, again, in the quartz family but they are much rarer. Double terminated crystals grow from a seed rather than being broken off of a cluster. They usually grow perpendicular to a single point quartz crystal, that's growing in a cluster, and it will have natural termination points on both ends of the crystal. The double termination means that crystal energy flows in both directions, out of a point from the center of the crystal.

Obelisks

While Obelisks look really cool they do not happen naturally. They are carved by human hands. Obelisks are a four-sided pillar that comes together at the top into a pyramid point.

The purpose of working with an obelisk is to send up energy from the Earth up to the Heavens.

Clusters

A Clusters refers to multiple crystal points all form on the same matrix. The matrix is just the material on where the crystals were growing on.

There are many points on a cluster. They all work together to provide a field of energy that emanates out towards their shared base.

Clusters are perfect for cleansing and recharging other healing crystals and jewelry. Place them directly on the cluster to absorb their mighty healing power. The multiple crystal points on the matrix send energy to every spot of the stone you are cleansing.

Tumbled Crystals

Tumbled crystals start off as various natural rough rocks and minerals that are polished in a rock tumbler. Ending up smoother than newly shaven balls. 

These small crystals are perfect for carrying with you so your energy can entrain with the stable frequency of the crystal.

Cubes

Cubes that are formed naturally are pyrite and galena.

While they are never "perfect," they function in the same way as a crystal carved into a cube. Cubes are associated with the root chakra and help to ground your energy.

You can use 4 cubes in a room, by placing one in each corner, to seal and protect the energy of the space.

Pyramids

There aren't natural pyramid minerals, that I know of, but many minerals are carved into the shape of a pyramid.

The sacred shape of pyramids has been utilized by many ancient civilizations believing it represented a ray of sunshine releasing energy through its tip. The strong four-sided base is said to anchor your intentions as the tip sends your intention into the universe. It helps you to manifest that which you desire.

Spheres

There are no natural crystal spheres to be found in nature but rather they are carved from various crystals.

Spheres radiate energy in all directions as a sphere is a symmetrical shape representing oneness with the Creator which makes it an excellent shape to meditate with.

Harmonizers

Harmonizers are polished crystal cylinders made from various minerals such as rose quartz, selenite, shungite, and even copper.

The purpose of using a harmonizer is to help you create your own energetic circuit. With one in each hand connecting with your heart chakra, which emits the largest energy torus from your body, to make your own healing energy field.

Hearts

Obviously, there are no natural crystal hearts created by the Earth. Although, I like to look for hearts that are natural inside of crystals.

Hearts are to be worked with to draw love into your life or magnify the love within your life. And if you have a heart made from rose quartz, it amplifies the intentions. So if you’re genuinely searching for love this is the perfect thing to work with. Grab one and wait for true love to find you.

Eggs

Again, egg crystals are not naturally found on the Earth.

They are to be worked with to bring fertility. You can think of fertility not only as the birth of a child, but the birth of new ideas and ways of thinking. You can also place certain crystals, that can withstand the elements, in your backyard to bring fertility to your plants.

Animals

In ancient Egypt, crystal animal carvings were placed in the tombs to guide the dead in the afterlife.

Because there are so many animals, here are just a few examples.

Owls are made to symbolize wisdom. A crystal rabbit represents fertility. An elephant is a symbol of commitment. You may decide that you want to find a specific animal made with a particular mineral like a fish carved out of citrine for prosperity.

Get Into Shapes

When shopping for crystal shapes, meaning is very important. You may want to start taking shapes and what they bring to the table into consideration. Keep in mind what your intentions are and where you are trying to direct the energy of the crystal. 

If you’d like to preserve beauty and youth you may want to find a pyramid made of Jade. If you’d like to easily take crystals with you on the go look at tumbled stones. There is a shape for everyone. Or add all the shapes to your collection. Go nuts, as one does while crystal shopping!

Feel what shapes call out to you. Working with a shaped crystal (natural or man-carved) can open up new possibilities in your healing sessions. Guide energy where you need it most during your practice. 

Start your journey by going to my shop and exploring crystals in all sorts of shapes and sizes.