Ethan Lazzerini

5 Myths About Crystals Busted! Are Opals bad luck? Q&A

5 Myths About Crystals Busted! Are Opals bad luck? Q&A

5 Myths About Crystals Busted! Are Opals bad luck? Q&A

Are Opals bad luck? Do some crystals grow bigger in water? Are all crystals with fruit names all fake? What is the truth behind these stories and should you pay any attention to them?
I have heard many different stories over the years and have had quite a few emails from people about these subjects. There are quite a few long standing and modern myths about crystals.  This is just my opinion, and it may be different to what others say. You are free to believe what you like.
myths about crystals busted!

Crystal Myths (Pin this to Pinterest!)

1: Amethysts Grow if you Keep Them in Water?

I did once receive an Opal specimen in a jar of water, when I took it out it gradually dried out and shrunk in size. Amethysts and Quartz do not do this though. I think this idea may have come from how some crystal caves are submerged in water. Though it is not drinking water. Crystals need a very specific environment, minerals and intense heat to form and grow. This will not happen in a fish bowl filled with spring water on your coffee table!
Myth: Amethysts grow in water

Myth: Amethysts grow in water

2: Opals are Bad Luck (Unless You’re Born in October)?

I was born in October, but please hear me out! I have heard this idea may have originated in the Middle Ages where thieves would carry opals in the belief that it would make them invisible. Or was it that Opal Mines in Australia were notoriously dangerous places for miners? Whatever the reason it appears to have been a modern myth. Ancient people saw Opals as magical and lucky. The truth is there is no negative energy in Opals, unless you put it there.
Opals: How could these beautiful stones be anything than positive?

Opals: How could these beautiful stones be anything other than positive?

3: Crystals with Fruit Names are Fake?

This  is a more recent idea. It may have been based on certain man made or enhanced crystals but it too general a rule in my opinion. Quartz Crystals with Iron oxide deposits on the outside are sometimes called Tangerine Quartz because of their orange colour. Lemon Chrysoprase (aka Citron Chysoprase) and Lemon Jade are names for natural stones that are yellow. These are just names to describe shades of colour, they do not really reveal anything else.
Tangerine Quartz should not be confused with Tangerine Aura!

Tangerine Quartz should not be confused with Tangerine Aura!

4: Crystals are Witchcraft?

This is really sad to hear. Crystals have been used by every culture, religion and tradition, including Pagans AND Christians. The modern day use of Crystals or Crystal Healing is not witchcraft, under any definition. People use crystals in their own way. Crystals do not belong to any one group or religion. If you encounter this kind of judgement please get familiar with the many always positive mentions of crystals in the bible. This book has all the reference and quotes in: Gemstones in Myth, Legend and Lore

5: Crystals Need to be Kept in a Red Bag?

People have their own ways for working with crystals, based on their own beliefs, experiences and ways they were taught. Although I respect that there are traditions with crystals I do not follow this myself. You could choose bags by the meaning of the colours if you want but I do not believe we all need to use red because someone said so in a book or on on Facebook. Please think for yourself!

GOT MORE QUESTIONS?

Check out my crystal healing Q&A on Youtube for more questions about crystals, myths and crystal healing:

Now that feels better! Have you heard of any similar beliefs or myths about crystals? I would love to hear from you in the comments below (Please keep any questions you have on topic if you want a response).
If you’re interested in learning more about crystals and Crystal Healing do check out my FREE Crystal Healing Resources page.
With gratitude,
Ethan
www.ethanlazzerini.com
P.S. If you know anyone who may be interested in this article please share it with one of the sharing buttons at the end or side of this post.
Copyright © Ethan Lazzerini

 

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18 thoughts on “5 Myths About Crystals Busted! Are Opals bad luck? Q&A

  1. Alistine | Aelestrid

    I sure hope opals aren’t bad luck, because I love them and was born in August. 🙂

    I think there’s quite a few “facts” floating around about crystals and I’m glad you addressed a few of them. I’ve found working with crystals to be very personal, and the more you work with them the less you follow the trajectory of all the guidebooks. There are less “rules” than we think.

    Awesome post, looking forward to more!

  2. Michelle

    Hi, I know this is not very interesting like the ones you addressed above, but quite a while ago I read in some crystal book that a chipped crystal cannot be used anymore. Now I know you have addressed this subject but do you know why the author might have said this, please when it is not true. Thanks for the email and great info’. Michelle

    1. Ethan Lazzerini Post author

      I am not sure who said this. I think it is important to remember that different people have different ways of working with crystals. If they use crystal points as wands in energy healing they may have had an issue with the crystal not being pristine. A chipped tip is not ideal for a Crystal Wand as it may not focus the energy as well but I don’t think other crystals need to look perfect to work. Chips on a crystal point just add character to them for me, some call the really damaged ones Old Warrior Crystals and they help with healing emotional wounds.

      1. Michelle

        Thank you very much for taking the time to read and reply to my comment, Ethan. It was not a wand but just crystals in general. I have still got 2 or 3 books from years ago on the bookshelf which I have not read or even looked at for years so I might still have it. I will have a look soon.
        Also, I have just bought a new crystal and it was full of chips, it does not bother me if it is o.k.
        Thanks again Ethan.

  3. Lisa

    I beg to differ with the comment about crystals growing and needing a specific environment to do so. I have more than one crystal which have grown since I acquired them. They didn’t simply enlarge but actually grew more crystal. I didn’t do anything special with them or to them except deeply appreciate them, their energy and their beauty…

  4. Catherine

    I remember an old opal superstition that it was unlucky to use for an engagement ring, because of its ‘changeable’ nature. It was believed that this would cause the bride to change her mind! I have no issue with opals and wear them whenever I wish, even though I’m not October born.

  5. Bonnie

    I too am happy to hear that opals aren’t “unlucky” since they are one of my favorite genstones. Also, in explanation of an opal shrinking, opals are a very porous gemstone the same way that pearls are (one of the reason they should occassionally be gently ‘cleaned’ or wiped with a soft nonabbrasive clothe, which is more of a rehydration than a cleaning, AND a pure natural oil like olive oil or coconut oil and not EVER jewelry cleaner –even the sonic cleaners the jewlers use in store can damage and break your opals), and why one should be careful using any hand soap or antibacterial hand sanitizers, because repeat exposure to those chemicals & alcohol with the opal soakimg them up, can cause an opal to crack, shatter, break..so for OPALS = NATURAL OILS (Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil)=>GOOD, BAD=>Water/Alcohol/Chemicals/anything else! And just to head it off, your body oils from wearing them close to your skin are also NOT good for opals!…as I said, a favorite gemstone of mine..*smiles*

    1. Ethan Lazzerini Post author

      Great tips for Opal care. Some Opals are stored in water as soon as they are mined as it stops them cracking and shrinking. This is no use for jewellery though. One of my opals came to me in water and I decided I was going to take it out for good. It actually did shrink and a few cracks appeared but it did not break.

      1. Catherine

        Opals in jewellery are often doublets or triplets, and it is recommended that they not be exposed to water, soaps, etc. as this can damage the ‘glue’ which bonds the layers together, and cause the gem to separate from its base.

  6. Pingback: More Crystal Myths and Misconceptions - Ethan Lazzerini

  7. Nans

    I was wondering if crystals with imperfections or fractures worn as jewelry are OK. I have heard that sapphires need to be clear or they are unlucky. I have not gotten a clear answer on Green Tourmaline or amethyst. I have several rings and am now worried about wearing them. Thanks so much for listening.

    1. Ethan Lazzerini Post author

      This is not Vedic Astrology or Gem lore. I practice and teach modern Crystal Healing which does not follow rules about clarity and ‘imperfections’ in crystals. What matters is the right stone is used, quality is a bonus but not needed. Certainly, lower quality stones are not considered unlucky in this system and tradition.

    2. Cherry

      @Nans, flaws or inclusions don’t matter in jewellery at all, except to make the stone more affordable; you must of course ensure said stone doesn’t take too many knocks. This is true no matter what stone it is you’re concerned about. What truly matters is your bond with the stone.

      Green Tourmaline is an excellent crystal to work with, and a few flaws won’t interfere with its healing abilities, among which are stopping heart palpitations and helping the nerves of the heart to function well. It’s quite rare nowadays to find a totally flawless Tourmaline of any colour, so go with whatever draws you to it. As for Sapphire, some authors believe it to be unlucky if it develops a fracture after you get it, but personally I have never heard of any examples of this leading to bad luck. Usually fractures in stones develop as a consequence of either impact damage or sudden and rapid temperature changes, or they happen at the time of crystallisation because the raw crystal cools unevenly. I cannot see how this could possibly be unlucky since it’s entirely natural.

      Love and Light.

  8. Cherry

    Here’s another one: Diamonds.

    Diamonds are supposed to be unlucky and/or cursed.

    What a load of old….. You know what? I can’t complete that sentence without a blue streak developing in my immediate vicinity.

    Diamonds are not cursed.

    Diamonds are not unlucky.

    Diamonds are worn in engagement rings all over the world, along with numerous other forms of jewellery, and they bring no harm (and sometimes a lot of help) to their wearers.

    The myth of Diamonds being unlucky, I believe, began with the really big, expensive ones: Kohinoor, Hope, Cullinan. It’s a little ironic that the Kohinoor and Cullinan Diamonds feature in the Crown Jewels (in case anyone’s wondering, Cullinan I, the largest facet cut from the Cullinan crystal in its raw state, is in Queen Elizabeth II’s sceptre); and has anyone wondered why Charles III forewent the Kohinoor Diamond his late mother wore at her coronation, for his own? Yes, one could regard it as a symbol of exploitation. Fair enough. But also, and perhaps more prominently, it might be because the Kohinoor Diamond is said to be so unlucky when worn by males, that it can result in death, hence only women are safe to wear it. Which I personally think is why Her Late Majesty was fine with it, but His Majesty decided against it.

    Just my tuppence’ worth.

    Anyway, royal family aside, there’s a good reason why the big, unattainable Diamonds have been considered cursed, but it has nothing to do with the poor, innocent gem and everything to do with human beings.

    There’s a story about how Kohinoor got its name: the sultan (I read this a long time ago, so names have escaped me) who then owned Kohinoor, kept it on him at all times, wrapped up in his turban (I can hardly blame him for that, and at least he had it next to an appropriate chakra). He went to dinner with a fellow noble who suspected he had it on him, wanted it, and proposed that he and his guest swapped turbans. This was a cultural tradition, and Kohinoor’s then-owner couldn’t refuse to do it for fear of insulting his host.

    So of course, when its then-owner unwound his turban, the gem fell onto the table; the host exclaimed “Koh-i-Noor!” in shock at its size and magnificence, which phrase translates to English as “Mountain of Light”. It’s a good description.

    The curse myth actually developed, I’m certain, around the largest Diamonds, and because of human failings: greed and jealousy. People down the ages have committed murder and similar crimes to lay hands on these magnificent gems; the murders were simply attributed to the curse on the gem species, when in reality the curse is the failings of some – by no means all – human beings.

    But does it apply to more modest Diamonds?

    I very much doubt it. A one or two carat gem, unless it’s the über-rare Red Diamond (in 2013, the second rarest, second most expensive substance known to mankind, right after antimatter), is rather unlikely to attract envy, greed or acquisitiveness.

    As for Diamond’s healing properties, I tend to find they far outweigh the “risk” (I use that word advisedly, and in the absence of one better suited) of attracting the curse of the Diamond. Diamond provides support and strength on every level, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Diamonds are beneficial to the brain, help balance the metabolism, build stamina, purify and detoxify all bodily systems, and can help counteract poisoning; it also helps allergies, dizziness, vertigo and chronic conditions.

    The only real problems with Diamonds are:
    1) Although the gem is supremely tough against knocks and scratches, it is not so chemically tough; exposure to chlorine (i.e. bleach, or a swimming pool) will cause a chemical reaction which will weather the stone’s surface, occasioning, at the minimum, a probably expensive re-facing (and for crystal-wise people like us, a very sincere apology to the gem for the harm).

    2) Diamond, like most colourless crystals, is an energy amplifier. The problem is that it is an indiscriminate one, amplifying both good and bad energies. This can be mitigated, though, by teaming it with an energetic purifier like Sapphire or Amethyst.

    For myself, since August 2019 I have worn a 2 carat Brown Diamond – which to the naked eye looks very much orange – and I have only ever had help from it, so all I’ve written above comes from a place of pure love for the gem.

    Love and Light.

    1. Ethan Lazzerini Post author

      Ive not heard this myth before but I do know about the hope diamond. I think this may also come from the blood diamond trade. Other colours like yours are becoming a popular alternative to the clear. Interestingly precious opals have become a popular choice for milenials for wedding and engagement rings in recent years.

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