A Guide to Selecting the Best Crystal Cut

by Bonnie Sams September 17, 2020

What crystal cut is best for me?

The cut of crystal that one needs really depends on how it will be used. Vibrational frequencies are elevated in some cut formations compared to others, but the energies and properties of a crystal are just the same regardless if it is a palm stone or a slice. An amethyst is an amethyst is an amethyst with its primary energies of serenity, stability, and stress reduction being generated no matter what form it is in, but the use of each type does vary and in some cases so does its vibrational level. Below is a description of (arguably) the nine most popular cuts and, although not always true, most crystals are available in the noted categories.

Tumbled Stones. Rough Stones. Tumbled stones are polished; Rough stones are unpolished and in raw form. They are generally sold in the same size range, whether polished or not--usually under 2”. They are arguably the most common of the crystal forms since they are accessible, comparatively inexpensive and a large draw form children and adults alike. They can be used on altar displays, Feng Shui/home décor, healing, and meditation. They are often placed in display containers like bowls or large seashells. They may be placed on windowsills for additional vibration. In Feng Shui, due to their convenience size, they are put in a variety of key locations like near doorways and corners to maximize their protective and harmonizing properties. The same is true for healing and mediation where these smaller forms are able to be held and/or placed directly on the body for restorative and restful purposes.
Worry and Palm Stones. Worry and palm stones have similar uses. Palm stones are just as described and fit comfortably in almost any palm. Worry stones are smaller and are just right for most adult thumbs. In either case, they can be carried easily so are some of the most common forms of crystal. Both worry and palm stones are actively used in stress reduction, confidence building, and meditation/manifestation activities. Due to their handling ease and transportability, both are used to reduce anxiety, induce calm and soothe fear; even help fight depression. They are also perfect for providing a focal point when confidence and strength are needed (like before an interview). A third way these two forms of crystals is their use in meditation/manifestation when targeted energy is a must for receiving intuitive messages and forging dreams into life.
Soapstones. Soapstones can be raw or polished. They are larger than most women’s palms, however their typical oval shape makes them pleasant to hold. Common ways that soapstones are used include: massage, healing/stress relief, yoga, meditation and altar placement. Massage is the most common use for soapstones since they can be held by the practitioner during a session when focusing on a customer’s specific physical (or emotional) ailments. Healing and stress relief--further extensions of massage, targeting affected areas to draw energy either in or out and to balance one’s equilibrium. Some crystal soapstones, like Lepidolite, can also be put into baths for another way to benefit from their energy; their size also makes them unlikely to be lost down the drain. Yoga and meditation are additional options to employ soapstones since they are able to put directly on or near the body during a session, fostering inner peace and calming a busy mind. Altar placement (or under pillows!) is another way to use Soapstones since their crystal powers can channel energies and foster communications from the higher third realm. They also look great in the home space and have a visual calming effect.
Wands. Wands come in smooth and faceted styles and tend to be polished. Designed to emulate the chakras, both types have at least one smaller end (the crown) that allows energy to be pointedly focused on a desired target. Some key uses are massage and meditation. Smooth-styled wands are best for massage since they are quite pleasant against the skin but either style works well for Reiki, massage, and other healing services since their pointed end(s) allow energy to be aimed succinctly without ever having to actually touch the body. To draw negative energy out, the pointed end is aimed away from the body. To insert positive healing energy, the tip is pointed toward the body drawing the crystal’s power in. Meditating with wands is also a prominent use since they are able be easily held for self-focus or placed toward a photograph when one wants to send out favorable and/or healing vibes to another.
Points. Points come in a variety of shapes and sizes with at least one part of the crystal coming to a pointed tip. They can be polished or raw or a combination thereof. Points are commonly used as centers for crystal grids, air purifiers, energy transmitters, and focal points in meditation. Points come in thinner cylinder-style, similar to wands, and may have a point on each end. There are also chunky, more squatty points which can range from the size of child’s palm to some which require an adult’s two hands. Points are great additions to crystal grids and serve as the center point, gathering surrounding crystals’ energies for more blended and uniform dissemination. Two-ended points are particularly good for drawing out disharmonious vibrations and replacing them with positive energy so are helpful when seeking to cleanse home and work environments. Due to their tips, points are great transmitters of energy so can be aimed at a photograph or specific body part to finitely direct healing to another or oneself. They are also terrific tools in meditation, especially when one is seeking to ease stress and remove negative influences and emotions.
Spheres. The round shape of a sphere gives equal energy to all directions. Due to this attribute, the crystal sphere vibrates on the highest of frequencies. The sphere mass is the same distance from the center all the way around so, just by the form itself, it provides balance. Spheres range in size from 1” to over 6” so their uses are versatile and vary, but some of the most common are: stress reduction, altar displays, home décor/Feng Shui, healing, meditation, garden enhancement and photography. The smaller spheres (3” and under) are specifically great for soothing anxiety and calming nerves because they can be easily held. Their round shape is a comfort so helps reduce stress. In general, spheres are appealing to the eye as well and, though a stand is needed to keep them stably positioned, they look great on an altar or shelf in the home—drawing energy and giving positive vibration to the environment around it. Spheres are well known in Feng Shui and used regularly to balance harmony, promote unity, and induce calm. These attributes make the sphere useful in healing and in meditation, particularly the smaller sized orbs, whereas the larger globes are really great in the garden and balance the landscape with their circular presence. Medium-and larger-sized spheres are a great tool in photography and enhance photographs with their mystery and alluring whimsy.
Slices. Slices are fairly thin slices of polished crystal. They are best for: grids, art, meditation, and healing. Grids are geometric layouts used for healing and/or spiritual channeling purposes. The flat thin formation of slices makes them a great choice for creating a grid These same attributes are why they also make great art. Laying slices in a design and putting them in a frame is a great way to center a wall and balance a room. Due to their flat surface, slices are also good for meditation because they to be easily stacked and assembled on altars or on the floor near quiet spaces. Healing is another popular way slices are used since they can be laid easily on one’s body, near (or directly on) the physical area that needs the crystal’s warm soothing energy.
Pyramids. The shape of a pyramid gathers its energy from the Universe into its center, the tallest peak of its framework. Large pyramid structures are believed to gather energy to heal the people housed inside due to this geometric property. This attribute makes healing the crystal pyramid form’s main use, with meditation, altar display, and home décor/Feng Shui Since the pyramid form is most associated with healing, it is believed that placing it in drinking water and near food (even in the refrigerator) is a very good way to directly inject its positive properties into the very products we, as humans, absorb into our bodies. During meditation and yoga, pyramids make good focal points and channel comforting energy, this is also why they are great on altars. In Feng Shui, pyramids are best placed in the center of the home due to their ability to balance energy flow, reduce tension, promote harmony and prosperity.
Hearts. Hearts are available in a variety of sizes, although most do fit in the palm. They can be polished, rough, or in the form of a druze (tiny crystals on larger crystals for sparkle). Hearts are good for meditation and altar displays, but they are primarily used in gift giving. Women especially like hearts since they find their shape very appealing and often gravitate toward them due to their connection to love and friendship.

Aside from the described attributes of the cuts referenced above, crystals and stones also generate their own individual and unique energies related to a variety of powers including healing, love, prosperity, protection, and other like properties. There are too many crystals to mention all their specifics, so it is well-worth doing research to determine which crystal/gemstone is best for your need. For instance, to generate wealth, Citrine and Jade are very good choices, while to conjure love--Rose Crystal and Rhodonite (to name 2) are better candidates. Please know, though, at the end of the day, this blog is just a guide. In crystal therapy, I have found it best to go with whatever crystal (cut included) draws you to it. Hold a few and go with whatever one feels the most right. The Universe knows what you need. Trust it.

Tumbled Stones. Rough Stones. Tumbled stones are polished; Rough stones are unpolished and in raw form. They are generally sold in the same size range, whether polished or not--usually under 2”. They are arguably the most common of the crystal forms since they are accessible, comparatively inexpensive and a large draw form children and adults alike. They can be used on altar displays, Feng Shui/home décor, healing, and meditation. They are often placed in display containers like bowls or large seashells. They may be placed on windowsills for additional vibration. In Feng Shui, due to their convenience size, they are put in a variety of key locations like near doorways and corners to maximize their protective and harmonizing properties. The same is true for healing and mediation where these smaller forms are able to be held and/or placed directly on the body for restorative and restful purposes.
Worry and Palm Stones. Worry and palm stones have similar uses. Palm stones are just as described and fit comfortably in almost any palm. Worry stones are smaller and are just right for most adult thumbs. In either case, they can be carried easily so are some of the most common forms of crystal. Both worry and palm stones are actively used in stress reduction, confidence building, and meditation/manifestation activities. Due to their handling ease and transportability, both are used to reduce anxiety, induce calm and soothe fear; even help fight depression. They are also perfect for providing a focal point when confidence and strength are needed (like before an interview). A third way these two forms of crystals is their use in meditation/manifestation when targeted energy is a must for receiving intuitive messages and forging dreams into life.
Soapstones. Soapstones can be raw or polished. They are larger than most women’s palms, however their typical oval shape makes them pleasant to hold. Common ways that soapstones are used include: massage, healing/stress relief, yoga, meditation and altar placement. Massage is the most common use for soapstones since they can be held by the practitioner during a session when focusing on a customer’s specific physical (or emotional) ailments. Healing and stress relief--further extensions of massage, targeting affected areas to draw energy either in or out and to balance one’s equilibrium. Some crystal soapstones, like Lepidolite, can also be put into baths for another way to benefit from their energy; their size also makes them unlikely to be lost down the drain. Yoga and meditation are additional options to employ soapstones since they are able to put directly on or near the body during a session, fostering inner peace and calming a busy mind. Altar placement (or under pillows!) is another way to use Soapstones since their crystal powers can channel energies and foster communications from the higher third realm. They also look great in the home space and have a visual calming effect.
Wands. Wands come in smooth and faceted styles and tend to be polished. Designed to emulate the chakras, both types have at least one smaller end (the crown) that allows energy to be pointedly focused on a desired target. Some key uses are massage and meditation. Smooth-styled wands are best for massage since they are quite pleasant against the skin but either style works well for Reiki, massage, and other healing services since their pointed end(s) allow energy to be aimed succinctly without ever having to actually touch the body. To draw negative energy out, the pointed end is aimed away from the body. To insert positive healing energy, the tip is pointed toward the body drawing the crystal’s power in. Meditating with wands is also a prominent use since they are able be easily held for self-focus or placed toward a photograph when one wants to send out favorable and/or healing vibes to another.
Points. Points come in a variety of shapes and sizes with at least one part of the crystal coming to a pointed tip. They can be polished or raw or a combination thereof. Points are commonly used as centers for crystal grids, air purifiers, energy transmitters, and focal points in meditation. Points come in thinner cylinder-style, similar to wands, and may have a point on each end. There are also chunky, more squatty points which can range from the size of child’s palm to some which require an adult’s two hands. Points are great additions to crystal grids and serve as the center point, gathering surrounding crystals’ energies for more blended and uniform dissemination. Two-ended points are particularly good for drawing out disharmonious vibrations and replacing them with positive energy so are helpful when seeking to cleanse home and work environments. Due to their tips, points are great transmitters of energy so can be aimed at a photograph or specific body part to finitely direct healing to another or oneself. They are also terrific tools in meditation, especially when one is seeking to ease stress and remove negative influences and emotions.
Spheres. The round shape of a sphere gives equal energy to all directions. Due to this attribute, the crystal sphere vibrates on the highest of frequencies. The sphere mass is the same distance from the center all the way around so, just by the form itself, it provides balance. Spheres range in size from 1” to over 6” so their uses are versatile and vary, but some of the most common are: stress reduction, altar displays, home décor/Feng Shui, healing, meditation, garden enhancement and photography. The smaller spheres (3” and under) are specifically great for soothing anxiety and calming nerves because they can be easily held. Their round shape is a comfort so helps reduce stress. In general, spheres are appealing to the eye as well and, though a stand is needed to keep them stably positioned, they look great on an altar or shelf in the home—drawing energy and giving positive vibration to the environment around it. Spheres are well known in Feng Shui and used regularly to balance harmony, promote unity, and induce calm. These attributes make the sphere useful in healing and in meditation, particularly the smaller sized orbs, whereas the larger globes are really great in the garden and balance the landscape with their circular presence. Medium-and larger-sized spheres are a great tool in photography and enhance photographs with their mystery and alluring whimsy.
Slices. Slices are fairly thin slices of polished crystal. They are best for: grids, art, meditation, and healing. Grids are geometric layouts used for healing and/or spiritual channeling purposes. The flat thin formation of slices makes them a great choice for creating a grid These same attributes are why they also make great art. Laying slices in a design and putting them in a frame is a great way to center a wall and balance a room. Due to their flat surface, slices are also good for meditation because they to be easily stacked and assembled on altars or on the floor near quiet spaces. Healing is another popular way slices are used since they can be laid easily on one’s body, near (or directly on) the physical area that needs the crystal’s warm soothing energy.
Pyramids. The shape of a pyramid gathers its energy from the Universe into its center, the tallest peak of its framework. Large pyramid structures are believed to gather energy to heal the people housed inside due to this geometric property. This attribute makes healing the crystal pyramid form’s main use, with meditation, altar display, and home décor/Feng Shui Since the pyramid form is most associated with healing, it is believed that placing it in drinking water and near food (even in the refrigerator) is a very good way to directly inject its positive properties into the very products we, as humans, absorb into our bodies. During meditation and yoga, pyramids make good focal points and channel comforting energy, this is also why they are great on altars. In Feng Shui, pyramids are best placed in the center of the home due to their ability to balance energy flow, reduce tension, promote harmony and prosperity.
Hearts. Hearts are available in a variety of sizes, although most do fit in the palm. They can be polished, rough, or in the form of a druze (tiny crystals on larger crystals for sparkle). Hearts are good for meditation and altar displays, but they are primarily used in gift giving. Women especially like hearts since they find their shape very appealing and often gravitate toward them due to their connection to love and friendship.