Five crystals every beginner should know

Crystals have been treasured for centuries for their beauty and their calming presence. If you are just beginning, there is no need for a vast collection. A few well-chosen stones are all you need to start, and you can always add to them as you go.

Five gentle stones to begin with

These five are widely loved because they are versatile, easy to find and very forgiving for a beginner. Keep them somewhere you will see them, hold them when you need a moment of calm, and let yourself get to know each one.

• Clear quartz, the great all-rounder, often called the master healer
• Amethyst, wonderfully calming and a friend to restful sleep
• Rose quartz, the stone of gentle, loving kindness
• Citrine, bright and uplifting, like a little pocket of sunshine
• Black tourmaline, grounding and quietly protective

Caring for your crystals

Many people like to cleanse their crystals from time to time, to refresh their energy. A simple way is to leave them on a windowsill under the light of the full moon overnight, or to rest them on a cluster of clear quartz or amethyst. Trust whatever feels right to you.

Above all, choose stones you are genuinely drawn to. The one that catches your eye is very often the one you need. Trust your intuition, it rarely steers you wrong, and let your collection grow slowly and with joy.