Choosing a Crystal Talisman
A trio of Tibetan Quartz points set in sterling silver and finished with a handmade moon phase.
Welcome to Ornate Alchemy - I’m so happy you found my website! Hopefully you have discovered lots of interesting jewellery in the shop. If you’re new to crystals or torn between a couple of pendants I’ve put together this quick guide to help with your next purchase.
Why a crystal Talisman?
I started making my crystal talismans because I wanted a way to carry my crystals with me. My pockets were overflowing with bits and bobs and yes, I was guilty of stashing crystals in my bra! For some crystals I wanted a more permanent solution to carrying them around.
The first talisman I made was with garden quartz (lodolite). It was the crystal I was drawn to after a long time without crystals in life, since being a teenager actually. I was going through a difficult time and again and again it was the crystal that I kept seeing, kept thinking about. So I followed my intuition and bought one to make myself a pendant.
Which crystal should I pick?
I am a huge believer in trusting your instincts. If you see a talisman you like or feel drawn to then you should absolutely go for that one! Just like my garden quartz, I believe that we might be drawn to things for a reason, even if that reason isn’t clear at the time. Also the unique nature of crystals means all my pieces are one of a kind - you definitely don’t want to miss the piece you feel connected to!
You might want to pick a pendant based on the motif - it may hold some personal significance, like a butterfly or a crescent moon. Perhaps the crystal is your favourite colour. Did you know that colour theory plays a huge part in our lives? Wearing a certain colours can significantly improve our mood or subtly enhance how we portray ourselves. A yellow crystal may boost happiness; a purple one might exude feelings of calm.
If you already have an interest in crystal healing then you might select a crystal based on its metaphysical properties or its connection to a particular Chakra. I’ve added a few details alongside each crystal in the shop but there’s a whole wealth of knowledge about crystal healing available online or in your local bookshop.
What shape of crystal should i pick?
The shape into which a crystal is cut is an important factor in crystal healing, but it is equally as important when selecting a piece of jewellery.
I always consider the shape, and how the crystal would feel against your skin, when purchasing crystals - this is one of the main reasons I prefer to pick them in person. Some of the crystals are chunky - these crystals give you something to hold or play with whilst wearing. They give you the comfort of a weighty piece of jewellery, just like a heavy blanket. When possible I love to include crystals that can double up as a “worry stone” - one that has a small indent in the reverse of the crystal where your thumb can fit naturally.
My sunstone pendant doubles up as a worry stone. Not only is this piece a heavy, comforting weight but there is a natural indentation in the back making it a very tactile piece.
Crystal points are another shape I try to keep in stock. My favourites are the ones that occur naturally, like quartz or amethyst. Some of these even have the indents where they grew alongside other crystals in a cluster. Asides from looking cool, crystal points can be useful for directing healing. I love that they can also double up as a pendulum if you are interested in divination work.
What if I’m buying a present for someone else?
If you’re looking for a gift and are unsure what crystal the recipient would like you could always get them one that corresponds with their birth month or Zodiac sign. We are probably all familiar with precious stones being associated with birth months, but each month - and each stage of the Zodiac - also has crystals associated with it. I’ll cover this in more depth in a future post so make sure to keep an eye on the blog.
It’s time to find your crystal Talisman!
So if you haven’t already done so, now would be a good time to check out the crystal talismans for sale in the shop. You can also see the wire wrapped crystals that my husband makes and some of my gemstone jewellery . New stock is added regularly and we try to vary the crystals that we use so there will always be something new to look at.
I hope you find something that you fall in love with! If you have any questions please get in touch as I’d be happy to help. Also, please consider following us on Instagram as we often show new pieces there before they become available on the website.
Written by Elaine
