Mystic Stones

JR Ramakrishnan investigates the resurgence of the crystal trend, and how they heal the soul.

- JR Ramakrishnan

Crystals have been revered for hundreds of years as a means of mitigating illness and its metaphysical properties, a vital feed on chakra balancing. Fuelled by celebrity endorsements (Jennifer Aniston wears a peach moonstone pendant in an Emirates Airline commercial) and more recently, Instagram influencers (Bella Hadid shared how she charges her shiny blue and silvery crystals under the pink moon and Kylie Jenner made manifestation grids with her own personal crystal healer), the crystal trend is on a surge again.

The mountains of polished and raw minerals for sale online, the shimmering of #crystalporn on Instagram, and crystal-infused wellness products suggest that stones are sparkling more brightly than ever in our collective consciousness. According to market forecaster JWT Intelligence's research, our digital-driven lives beckon us to look for alternative realities to get off the grid.

Sharing a similar view on this shift of attitude is Heather Askinosie, co-founder of California-based Energy Muse Jewelry. "Clarity is the new superpower we are all seeking," she says. "Who doesn't want to get clear, grounded, and out of their own way? Crystals are pretty, sparkly tools for this."