What’s the difference between a crystal and a rock?
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Did you know that some of your most beloved healing crystals are actually combinations of more than one stone? Lapis Lazuli, Tiger Iron, Unakite, and others are made up of more than one mineral. When multiple minerals come together to create something new, this is the definition of a rock.
That’s right! A rock.
Most of the time, we don’t use that word in the heal-y feely world of crystal healing, but rocks can be super lovely for healing too. In the wellness community, we usually use the words crystal, stone, mineral, etc. interchangeably, but they do each have their own specific definitions.
- Rock – composed of more than one mineral
- Crystal – a mineral that has an internal crystalline structure (a regularly repeating atomic blueprint)
- Stone – any minerals or rock that is non-metallic
- Mineral – a solid, naturally occurring, inorganic substance
By now you may be wondering which of the stones in your crystal collection are actually rocks. Let’s take a look at some of the most common hybrids:
Lapis Lazuli
This is a rock composed of Lazurite, White Calcite and Pyrite. It is not technically a “stone” since it contains metallic Pyrite. The best quality Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan.
Septarian Nodule 
This is a rock composed of Golden Aragonite and Brown Calcite in a Benitoite clay matrix.
Atlantisite
This brightly colored rock from Tasmania is composed of Green Serpentine and Purple Stichtite.
Unakite
This heart-centered rock is composed of Epidote and Peach Feldspar.
Tiger Iron 
This beautiful South African rock is composed of Golden Tiger’s Eye, Red Jasper, and Hematite. It is not technically a stone since is contains metallic Hematite.
Ametrine
This is actually a crystal and is not a rock at all. Both Amethyst and Citrine are colored varieties of Quartz. When parts of the iron-containing Amethyst are heated, they turn into golden Citrine. The best quality (and most beautiful!) Ametrine crystals are from Bolivia.
So which pieces from your collection are actually hybrids of other minerals?
Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!
Thank you for this! I love the term “healy-feely”, and as I collect various stones/minerals/crystals, and have a 13 year old that’s fascinated with them, this is some helpful information!
Haha! Isn’t that a great term? <3 So exciting that you 13 year old is into crystals too- how wonderful.Thanks so much for reading, Jenn! Crystal blessings!
Enjoyed this weeks post and podcast on “rocks”, stones minerals and crystals!!! Interesting info!
Thanks so much for tuning in, Sue! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it. Crystal blessings!
I thought Atlantisite was from Tasmania?
Yes, it is! 🙂 That was a typo <3 Thanks for bringing it to our attention, and thanks for reading. Crystal blessings!
Atlantisite
This brightly colored rock from Tanzania is composed of Green Serpentine and Purple Stichitite.
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Shouldn’t that be from Tasmania (Australia) ? Atlantisite is only mined in this one spot.
Yes, you’re right! Typo on our part, it is absolutely from Tasmania <3 Crystal blessings!
The metaphysical world is all new and fascinating to me. This podcast was of great help! Thank you
Hi Shirl! We’re so glad you found us– we’d love to help you discover all the great fun of the metaphysical world 😉 So glad you enjoyed the podcast! Crystal blessings!
This may be a dumb question, but how do you know when you’re buying an authentic crystal/rock/stone or if it’s fake? For example, crystal necklaces have become huge but I always wonder if they’re just colored or something. Are fakes even a thing?
Hey Amber! Not a dumb questions at all! Sadly there are “fakes” out there, as well as man-made/synthetic stones that are sold under real mineral names. There are some that are commonly faked, and there are some to just keep in mind that are synthetic. Our best recommendation is to buy from highly reputable sources and to always research before you spend your money if you’re not sure if it’s the real deal. Here is a list of our favorite places to buy crystals (most also have crystal jewelry)- https://loveandlightschool.com/best-places-buy-crystals-online/
Also- feel free to email us anytime with a pic of a crystal or piece of crystal jewelry if you’d like us to have a look and see if it’s real or not– [email protected] 🙂
Crystal blessings!
Thanks for the episode. I noticed in the audio version, Ashley mentions that atlantisite is from Tanzania. I know she meant Tasmania, but that mistake was in there and noticeable.
Hi Kalenn, thank you for your comment! Ashley absolutely meant Tasmania!!! So sorry for the confusion, we appreciate you bringing it to our attention! Crystal Blessings <3
Where is unakite and septarian nodule found?
Hi Jill, thanks for reaching out! I did a quick google search and found that septarian nodules can be found in Utah and Madagascar, Unakite can be found in North America (with much of it found in the Unakas mountains), and also in South Africa, Brazil, and China.