Whether you’re looking for something lovely for yourself, want to give a meaningful gift, or are simply curious about different crystals, you can easily browse our range here. We like to keep things straightforward, so you can choose based on your instincts and what you genuinely find beautiful.
Crystals, minerals and gemstones – what’s the difference?
The terms ‘crystals’, ‘minerals’ and ‘gemstones’ are often used interchangeably. This is quite normal. A mineral is a naturally formed substance from the earth. A crystal is a mineral with an ordered structure. A gemstone is usually the name given to a stone that is particularly prized in jewellery or collections due to its colour, lustre or rarity. On this page, we use ‘crystals’ as a practical collective term for the various stones, minerals and gemstones in our range.
Overview of types of crystals
There are hundreds of names for crystals. In practice, however, you’ll find that many stones fall into recognisable groups. This makes it easier to choose, especially if you’re still finding your feet and don’t yet know exactly which stone you’re looking for.
Group | Examples | Distinctive appearance |
|---|
Types of quartz | rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, rose quartz | clear, translucent or lightly coloured |
Agate and jasper | moss agate, flower agate, red jasper, ocean jasper, kambaba jasper | tyres, patterns and drawings on the ground |
Feldspar | moonstone, sunstone, labradorite, larvikite | gloss, flashes and play of colour |
Green stones | aventurine, amazonite, jade, unakite, malachite | shades ranging from fresh to deep green |
Blue and purple stones | sodalite, lapis lazuli, fluorite, angelite, celestine | cool colours and a calm, serene look |
Dark stones | obsidian, haematite, onyx, shungite, tiger’s eye | a powerful, deep and earthy look |
Can’t find a name straight away? Then use the A–Z list in this category. That’s often the quickest way to find a specific stone or variant.
What types of crystals are there?
It is not just the type of stone that varies; the shape matters too. The same crystal can look very different depending on whether it is rough, polished or, indeed, a striking display piece. These are the shapes you often come across:
Raw crystals - unprocessed and with a natural look.
Tumbled stones - smoothly polished, compact and comfortable to hold or carry.
Spires and towers – popular as decorative items or as eye-catching features in a fixed location.
Clusters and geodes – larger pieces with plenty of sparkle and texture.
Hearts, palm stones and other shapes – comfortable to hold and often a popular choice as a gift.
Pendants and gemstones – ideal as a wearable form for those who like to keep a stone close to them.
Looking for crafted showpieces such as spheres, obelisks and hearts? Then take a look at our Polished Pieces.
Which style suits you best depends mainly on what makes you happy: all-natural, sleek and polished, small and handy, or, on the contrary, large and eye-catching.
Common crystal names from A to Z
Anyone looking up all kinds of crystals usually wants to recognise the names. Well-known names that you often come across include agate, amazonite, amethyst, angelite, aventurine, rock crystal, carnelian, celestine, citrine, fluorite, haematite, howlite, jade, jasper, labradorite, lapis lazuli, moonstone, malachite, obsidian, opal, prehnite, pyrite, rose quartz, smoky quartz, selenite, sodalite, tiger’s eye, tourmaline, unakite and sunstone.
In addition, there are many varieties within a single family. Consider, for example, flower agate, Botswana agate and moss agate within the agate family, or ocean jasper, red jasper and Dalmatian jasper within the jasper family. You also see many differences within quartz, such as clear rock crystal, soft pink rose quartz, purple amethyst and warm-coloured citrine. As a result, some stones appear very different, even though they are related.
It is precisely this wide choice that makes an A-to-Z guide so handy. You don’t need to know all the families first in order to find what you’re looking for. You can simply start with the name you already know, or browse at your leisure until a stone catches your eye.
How to choose a crystal that suits you
There’s no one perfect way to choose a crystal. Many people start with a name they’re already familiar with, whilst others choose based on colour, shape or appearance. All three are fine. It’s particularly helpful to think in advance about what you want to use the stone for: as a decoration, as a little stone to carry with you, as a gift, or as a special piece for a quiet spot in your home.
If you’re already looking for a specific stone, select it by name, for example amethyst or labradorite.
Look at the colour and overall look if you’re mainly looking for that visual connection.
Pay attention to the shape if you’re unsure whether to choose rough, polished, small or large.
Please read the product information carefully, as the size, colour and pattern vary from stone to stone.
Leave room for personal interpretation – natural stones are unique and appeal to everyone in a different way.
Good to know: no two crystals are exactly the same. It is precisely these natural differences in colour, lustre and pattern that make each stone unique.