Help with the concept of chakra?

[blackberry16]

My dear friend's birthday is coming up and I would like to get her a gift. I hear her talking to other friends about chakra and healing crystals. I am very out of this loop and was wondering if anyone on PS could educate me and point me towards some gifts in this area?

 

[Circe]

Hm, hard to tell. Do you know how educated she is on the topic? I could recommend a few books, but I'd hesitate if she's already past the beginning stages. When I was just starting to read up on gem history and alternate usages throughout history, I really liked Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic: in retrospect, it's a little twee, but still a handy starting point.

A really good quality quartz point or crystal is almost always appreciated by a practitioner, as it can be dedicated to multiple purposes: alternately, to encourage strength in the heart chakra and to represent your friendship, you might consider a nice specimen of rose quartz. Beyond that, each specific chakra point has its own symbolism: if you know that she has a specific goal or ailment, you can select something especially suited. Anything come to mind?

 

[blackberry16]

Hm, hard to tell. Do you know how educated she is on the topic? I could recommend a few books, but I'd hesitate if she's already past the beginning stages. When I was just starting to read up on gem history and alternate usages throughout history, I really liked Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic: in retrospect, it's a little twee, but still a handy starting point.

A really good quality quartz point or crystal is almost always appreciated by a practitioner, as it can be dedicated to multiple purposes: alternately, to encourage strength in the heart chakra and to represent your friendship, you might consider a nice specimen of rose quartz. Beyond that, each specific chakra point has its own symbolism: if you know that she has a specific goal or ailment, you can select something especially suited. Anything come to mind?

She is very educated on the topic and I would hardly aim to get her anything that she hasn't seen before. I would just like it to be more of a gesture that I respect her beliefs and pay attention to interests.

Does anyone know where I could get a nice rose quartz?

 

[Circe]

Online? Sadly, no. If you're in NYC, there's a great shop called Astro Gems on 34th and Madison, or thereabouts ... lemme see if they have a website. They do! http://www.astrogallery.com/ I've bought specimens from them before, and they're good quality and fairly priced: I hope they might suit your purpose.

 

[blackberry16]

Online? Sadly, no. If you're in NYC, there's a great shop called Astro Gems on 34th and Madison, or thereabouts ... lemme see if they have a website. They do! http://www.astrogallery.com/ I've bought specimens from them before, and they're good quality and fairly priced: I hope they might suit your purpose.

Thanks so much Circe!

 

[blackberry16]

Online? Sadly, no. If you're in NYC, there's a great shop called Astro Gems on 34th and Madison, or thereabouts ... lemme see if they have a website. They do! http://www.astrogallery.com/ I've bought specimens from them before, and they're good quality and fairly priced: I hope they might suit your purpose.

Thanks so much Circe!

What should it look like? Sorry that I am such a dummy, if it is not set in a ring I have no idea what I am doing!

 

[Circe]

Heh, my pleasure, and no problem!

It sort of depends on how strict she is: some practitioners are happy to use polished gems on the principle that the process simply refines them; others believe that a worked gem is a lessened gem, and that it's important that it be in its natural state.

For rose quartz, you'll want a six-figured crystal, with a color that appeals to you, and relatively few inclusions (the deeper pink is pricier, but I quite like some of the paler colors myself). For the purpose that you're buying for, pick the one that "speaks" to you most, that appeals aesthetically and appeals on an emotional level: that's more valuable than any degree of gemological perfection. A lot of this stuff is very intuitive.

 

[LadyBlue]

Hi blackberry, I go to a store that sells all kind of healing crystals, energy stones, and the people that works there is very into stones and energy.

This is the address, Rock Star 150 West 28th St # 201B, New York, NY 10001-6103 (212) 675-3065

 

[blackberry16]

Hi blackberry, I go to a store that sells all kind of healing crystals, energy stones, and the people that works there is very into stones and energy.

This is the address, Rock Star 150 West 28th St # 201B, New York, NY 10001-6103 (212) 675-3065

Thanks gaby, I will give them a call.