Well, it depends on how you look at it. Here are my thoughts, along with a little bit of scientific info for good measure. Citrine is a transparent type of quartz, a silica with the compound SiO2 (silicon dioxide), and there are five main types of citrine that are available on the market today.

Gorgeous garnet, a crystal that was a favourite of my mum's when I was a child. I always remember a cross necklace she wore that was embedded with garnet crystals, and even then, long before I consciously knew anything about crystals it seemed to be fitting for her - a fiery, strong-willed woman who would protect her family at all costs.

When we're faced with a new challenge, it can be scary to take a leap into the unknown. In spite of the desire we have to achieve our goals or improve our lives in some way, stepping out of our comfort zone is a big thing, and it requires mental courage to face the fear that can arise when facing uncertainty.

There is no straight line to being healed, and there is no ultimate destination, other than knowing you have spent your life seeking to be the best version of yourself and being compassionate with your fellow humans who are also on that same journey, whether they know it or not.

Over the years, I have had no end of customer ask me about what crystals are good for psychic development, or enhancing the clairs' - clairvoyance, clairaudience and so on. And there are plenty that can be of help. 

Can crystals help calm our pets during stressful situations? There's a good chance they can.

There are many mineraloids out there that are given equal value to genuine crystals but, like Clear Quartz, Black Obsidian stands out as the master of them all. But what makes it so special that I feel compelled to give it this title?

An often understated crystal, amazonite is surprisingly favoured more by the new-age community than by jewellers these days. And yet, it was used in ancient Egypt as a gemstone of high status and an amulet of protection.

So often in my time as an Holistic Therapist, and as a spiritual/new-age retailer, I see in my clients and customers, many challenges that I've faced myself at some point in the past.

You don't have to be the world's most accomplished musician to get huge benefits from the power of sound. Shaking a tambourine, banging a drum, or chanting are all powerful ways of releasing pent up or stagnant energy from the body and mind.