What’s the difference between a crystal and a rock?

Did you know that some of your most beloved healing crystals are actually combinations of more than one stone? Lapis Lazuli, Tiger Iron, Unakite, and others are made up of more than one mineral. When multiple minerals come together to create something new, this is the definition of a rock. That’s right!  A rock. Most of the time, we don’t use that word in the heal-y feely world of crystal healing, but rocks can be super lovely for healing too.  In the wellness community, we usually use the words crystal, stone, mineral, etc. interchangeably, but they do each have their own specific definitions. Rock - composed of more than one mineral Crystal - a mineral that has an internal crystalline structure (a regularly repeating atomic blueprint) Stone - any minerals or rock that is non-metallic Mineral - a solid, naturally occurring, inorganic substance By now you may be wondering which of the stones in your crystal collection are actually rocks.  Let’s take a look at some of the most common hybrids: Lapis Lazuli  This is a rock composed of Lazurite, White Calcite and Pyrite.  It is not technically a “stone” since it contains metallic Pyrite. The best quality Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan. Septarian Nodule  This is a rock composed of Golden Aragonite and Brown Calcite in a Benitoite clay matrix. Atlantisite  This brightly colored rock from Tasmania is composed of Green Serpentine and Purple Stichtite. Unakite  This heart-centered rock is composed of Epidote and Peach Feldspar.   Tiger Iron  This beautiful South African rock is composed of Golden Tiger’s Eye, Red Jasper, and Hematite.  It is not technically a stone since is contains metallic Hematite. Ametrine  This is actually a crystal and is not a rock at all.  Both Amethyst and Citrine are colored varieties of Quartz. When parts of the iron-containing Amethyst are heated, they turn into golden Citrine.  The best quality (and most beautiful!) Ametrine crystals are from Bolivia. So which pieces from your collection are actually hybrids of other minerals?   When you’re just starting out with crystal healing, the wealth of information out there can make it tricky to know where to start. That’s why, my Beginner’s Course Bundle contains all the crystal fundamentals you need to know.     Bundling three of my best-selling courses into one for a discounted price, my Beginners Course Bundle is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to dive into the world of crystal healing - from understanding the energetic properties of crystals to practical applications and techniques, you’ll gain a well-rounded education that will empower you to confidently work with crystals.  What’s Included in the Beginners Course Bundle: * Introduction to Crystal Healing Course: Embark on a Transformative Crystal Journey (value $299)     * Your Crystal Clear Year Course: Craft a Daily Crystal Practice (value $149)     * Crystal Rituals for Personal Empowerment Course: Unlock Your Inner Potential (value $99)