We investigated the modern crystal craze in the wellness universe and found crystals to be described as the latest wedding trend, interior design therapy, a ‘gateway drug’ to alternative modalities, as well as a secret to better skin.
Words: Meri Frig
Source / Image Credit: Goldirocks
Crystals appeal to wellness seekers that love yoga, meditation, and, in Venice, their Los Angeles Moon Juice. Some are increasingly drawn to the trend because of the acclaimed chic company: advocates of crystal healing include celebrities, such as Miranda Kerr, Cara Delevingne, Lena Dunham, and Victoria Beckham.
However, crystals have been treasured for a very long time due to their beauty, as well as, their healing and spiritual power. Rose Quartz, for example, is believed to be the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace, vibrating soothing energy that encourages self-love, self-esteem and forgiveness. Clear quartz is believed to bring great benefits for focus, balance, positivity and clarity.
Fashion and wellness magazines have eagerly reported about the crystal craze, enlightening readers about why one should have one, where one should keep one, and what purposes they serve. “Crystals, that onetime a hippy-dippy hobby, never really went away, but now they are practically as common as drinking green juice and practicing yoga,” reports The New York Times. “Crystals have become ubiquitous in wellness enclaves,” writes Elle. Goop selected eight essential crystals that are also available as a Goop-exclusive starter kit on their web shop. Well+Good also offers a guide to the fashion-forward crystals you need to have right now. According to Harper’s Bazaar, healing crystals “might be what the world needs right now”. Vogue deemed mysticism, including crystal healing and Reiki sessions, the latest wedding trend.
"Crystals and gemstones appear frequently in product and brand images in the wellness universe, but are also employed in a more secretive manner, if you may. For example, with an aim to remove negative energy in spaces."
The beautiful items have been widely used in jewellery, such as in pendants, but are now used in a myriad of ways. Healing crystals have now appeared in the trendiest workout spaces, as well as in wellness bottles that hydrate with crystal-infused water. Some crystal enthusiasts carry one in a pocket, some hide one in a bra, even Katy Perry confesses always sleeping with a rose quartz in her hand. Crystals and gemstones appear frequently in product and brand images in the wellness universe, but are also employed in a more secretive manner, if you may. For example, with an aim to remove negative energy in spaces.
New York-based The Cristalline offers interior design therapy through energetic space design. It is founded on the tenants of creating an energetically balanced lifestyle. The Cristallisers, Rashia Bell and Elizabeth Kohn, aim to show people how to do so in all facets of life, but first and foremost, at the spaces that we inhabit. Rashia agrees there has been an increase in both awareness and openness towards crystals and crystal healing, especially over the past couple of years. She tells Savant, “I think it is really about people being more present about the ways that they choose to actively promote their wellbeing. Whether looking at fitness or food, we have become a more health conscious society, benefitting from things that at one time we definitely thought were trends, but have now become the catalyst for that change. I think that awareness has brought with it a mindfulness movement that encourages and supports one’s self care practices, which is a wonderful thing. We currently live in a world with such a strained and unpredictable political climate, which has led us to not just look at ourselves as humans, but from the perspective of what lies within the energetic body. Crystals are nature, crystals are energy, and our make-up is no different… I don’t think crystals will be a passing trend at all, I think our relationship to them is only going to continue to grow and expand as we understand ourselves better.”
"We currently live in a world with such a strained and unpredictable political climate, which has led us to not just look at ourselves as humans, but from the perspective of what lies within the energetic body."
Source / Image Credit: Goldirocks
Yulia Van Doren, author behind Goldirocks, is a social media influencer and the author of the new book Crystals: The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing. Goldirocks also launched a small crystal décor collection on Anthropologie. Yulia tells us, “The more attention given to mindful practices the better, trend or not. I think crystals often serve a very valuable function as something of a ‘gateway drug’ for people who are interested in alternative modalities, but not quite sure where or how to begin their explorations: bringing a crystal home is a really easy and visually-beautiful way for someone to dip their toe into the vast world of what we call the ‘new age.’ Additionally, crystals are very on-trend for the current focus in home decor on organic, natural, unique items. Whether or not you believe that crystals hold healing powers, they are beautiful decorative objects. Because the Millennial Generation was raised alongside the rise of the internet and social media, we all spend a vast portion of our lives immersed in an intangible world. I think it makes perfect sense that we would be much more open to less tangible forms of spirituality and therapies. And also crave the grounding physicality of practices like yoga, crystal therapy, herbalism, natural foods, and so on.”
Crystals may also be the secret to better skin. Rose quartz facial massages have been reported to be the latest trend in the cosmetics industry, with the Lift + Sculp Butterfly stone a celebrity trend. Crystals are often used as an ingredient in natural skincare products. Herbivore Botanicals employed Brazilian White Tourmaline Gemstone in their Brighten Mask to naturally brighten and illuminate complexion. KORA Organics, the natural cosmetics brand by Miranda Kerr, filters all their products through rose quartz crystals to infuse self-love to them.
"Because the Millennial Generation was raised alongside the rise of the internet and social media, we all spend a vast portion of our lives immersed in an intangible world. I think it makes perfect sense that we would be much more open to less tangible forms of spirituality."
Many thus believe in the power of crystals to aid in maintaining inner or outer beauty, in our bodies or in our environments. Even the crystals enthusiasts, however, admit that there is no scientific evidence of crystal efficacy, but they rather believe in the metaphysical power of intention and intuition. With crystals and gemstones, people are said to feel more connected to nature and the Earth in the hectic and urban modern environments. As an increasing number of people currently live in cities and many of us spend days or months away from natural environments, many seek to connect with nature in such various ways. The longing may manifest itself as urban jungles in homes, Chaga mushrooms as ingredients in skincare products, or as small parts of the Earth, in the form of a crystal stones, many secretly carry with them.