What does the Bible say about crystals?

Answer  
  

Crystals of different types are mentioned in the Bible a few times. The Bible mentions rubies (Proverbs 8:11\), sapphires (Lamentations 4:7\), and topaz (Job 28:19\), for example. The breastplate worn by the Levitical high priest contained twelve stones, each engraved with the name of a tribe of Israel: “The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings” (Exodus 39:10–13\). The river flowing from the heavenly throne is “as clear as crystal” (Revelation 22:1\), the area before the throne is something like “a sea of glass, clear as crystal” (Revelation 4:6\), and “spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome” (Ezekiel 1:22\). The Bible never assigns any mystical properties to crystals.  
  

  

Besides being beautiful mineral structures, crystals are used in the practice of crystal healing, a pseudoscience that purports to heal various ailments. According to crystal healers, the careful placing of crystals on a patient’s body is supposed to line up with or stimulate the body’s chakras and promote healing.  
  

Some people also believe that crystals have an inherent power that can be harnessed and used to their benefit. Some use crystals to ward off evil spirits or bad energy and thus bring good luck. Crystals are sometimes used in [feng shui](feng-shui.html), in the belief that they emanate good vibrations. Crystals that absorb too much bad energy in the process of protecting a home must be “cleansed” to reset the vibrations.  
  

None of these superstitious beliefs about crystals come from the Bible. The Bible does not say that crystals are beneficial for attracting wealth, rekindling romance, or warding off evil spirits; neither does it say that crystals are needed to connect to God’s Spirit. On the contrary, the Bible warns strongly against engaging in anything related to [superstition](superstitions.html) and [the occult](occult.html). God declares the practice of the occult detestable (Deuteronomy 18:10–12\), and witchcraft is named along with idolatry as ungodly behavior (Galatians 5:19–21\). The use of crystals as charms, amulets, or talismans is a type of occult practice, however benign it seems. Anything that seeks to manipulate the spirit world can be categorized as witchcraft.  
  

The superstitious use of crystals is yet another example of fallen mankind taking what God has created and twisting it for an ungodly purpose. Crystals are striking examples of God’s handiwork. There is nothing wrong with using crystals for home décor or wearing them as jewelry, but there is nothing magical about them. Using crystals for protection or healing is, at its root, an idolatrous practice. It is [idolatry](idolatry-definition.html) because it depends on spiritual forces other than God for healing and protection; in other words, it is the worship of something other than God. Idolatry is repeatedly and strongly forbidden in the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:15–20; Jeremiah 44:1–4; 1 Corinthians 10:14–20; 2 Corinthians 6:16–17\).  
  

