This very interesting question has been asked to me by clients time and time again as we explore the properties of specific crystals in relationship to our personal growth. To form your opinion regarding if crystals are alive, different things must be considered, including the definition of what a crystal is, what consists of being alive, the limits of science, and what we can learn by considering the outcome of this answer.

What is a Crystal?

A crystal is defined as follows: ‘a piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces.’ In chemistry, it is ‘any solid consisting of a symmetrical, ordered, three-dimensional aggregation of atoms or molecules’. In electronics, it is ’a crystalline piece of semiconductor used as an oscillator or transducer.’

A definition of crystal used by Robert Simmons is “the regular form which a substance tends to assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive attraction. It is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios.” He uses this definition to detail the particularities of the crystalline world which could lead us to conclude that crystals are another type of living organism on earth. The power of cohesive attraction sounds like the organizing intelligence that governs so much in the universe, including our bodies. The idea of symmetrical arrangement invites the consideration of an organizing principle, bringing order and harmony to what could simply be chaos. Also, crystals have species, exactly like living organisms do. These are all interesting properties that connect crystals to the world of the living, however, crystals are generally speaking not considered alive by scientific standards.

Do Crystals Grow?

Crystals do share, just like living organisms, the ability to grow. The atomic structure of a crystal follows a particular growth pattern which requires specific pressure and chemical composition in the environment to evolve. This is a little bit like a plant seed which needs specific requirements to germinate, except in the case of the seed the parameters are water, heat, and perhaps the adequate soil. Crystals need pressure, heat, chemical elements, and enough space to crystallize in it’s intended form.

Spirit quartz, which is a type of quartz that has undergone different crystallization processes triggered by geological happenings like earthquakes, offers us a good example of the crystallization process. To learn more about it, click here.

Grow Your Own Crystals

You can very easily ‘grow’ crystals, just like you grow a plant from seed. Crystals grow over time following very specific combinations of atoms or molecules, and simple experiments can showcase the process of crystallization. If you are interested in growing your own crystals, you do not need to buy a crystal growing kit from the store, although those can be very fun, particularly for children to discover the wonders of different crystallization types. You can do a very simple experiment at home to grow your own sugar crystals. Click here to learn how to make your own sugar crystals.

Growing your own crystals may be a beautiful way of initiating yourself or a loved one to the question ‘are crystals alive’?

Crystals and Science

Western science generally posits that we do not have evidence that a crystal is alive. However, more and more people are coming out stating it is important to consider that everything in our universe is alive, one way or another. Some geologists such as Arnold Rheshar and Pierre Escollet do believe stones showcase vital activity that is much slower than other organisms on earth.

This brings us to consider that science follows a very rigorous framework, and can only answer what is contained within the parameters it fully understands. Most of the world and inter-connection of our universe remains outside the realm of science. For example, did you know what although we know what magnetism is, we cannot explain it? In a similar way, we know what crystals are, but we cannot fully explain them.

Uses of Crystals

Crystals are used in scientific settings, as well as technological settings. Did you know that scientists aboard our space station orbiting around earth grow crystals that are used in scientific research? Unaffected by the conditions found on earth, crystals in outer space can grow perfectly and be used in all sorts of types of experiments, including pharmaceutical research. Crystals and crystalline elements are used in technology, like watches, computers, or even sonars, ultrasounds or even lasers.

Crystals and Consciousness

Nicola Tesla, the famous scientist and researcher, stated “In a crystal we have clear evidence of the existence of a formative life principle, and though we cannot understand the life of a crystal, it is nonetheless a living being.” His pioneering research focused extensively on the importance of frequency and vibration, which are also alluded to in spiritual realms dealing with the evolution of consciousness.

What can be deduced from the facts listed above is that crystals have their own type of ‘aliveness’, and open us to different considerations of divine organization which are spiritual in nature. Science classifies things in order to understand them in a specific framework, which often overlooks the very essence of what makes us human, meaning, consciousness.

Humans have used crystals as talismans for ages, and there is a strong popularity in the modern western world to use them as spiritual tools. Crystals are seen as holding a very specific type of frequency, to which we can attune ourselves, in order to grow in self-awareness and be a better person.

Do Crystals Have Energy?

Based on the information above, do you believe crystals to be alive? Personally, I think the idea is very attractive. Crystals are not alive in the same way other organisms are, but share very interesting properties with life forms and life principles. Just as science has proven that everything is energy, one way or another, we can affirm that crystals do have their own unique energies, although we are not necessarily able to measure it with today’s instruments.

The fact their atomic structure is so beautifully reminiscent of sacred geometry found in temples around the world invites us to consider the divine organization and inter-connection of all things, and I find is a beautiful indicator that it is not wrong to associate these beautiful objects to spiritual growth and human evolution. From this point of view, I believe it is helpful for individuals to align themselves with their intentions to be a better person, and use crystals and gemstones as spiritual tools.

I invite everyone to consider the use of crystals and talismans as spiritual tools. You can browse the pocket stone section of the website and see what you are naturally drawn to. See if the properties associated with the gemstones that catch your attention are associated with growth and self-awareness principles that you currently wish to embody more!

Click here to learn more about how crystals can be used as spiritual tools and self-development.