Crystals, minerals, and stones are tools to improve your life—emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Every crystal can be paired with an intention or positive thought to amplify your goals and intentions. A good way to become familiar with each gemstone is to work with the color of the stone as it relates to a given chakra.

How to Use Crystals
Crystals are a shimmering reminder to stay focused on your intentions as you go about your day. Place them strategically around your car, house, or workplace. You can carry the smaller stones in your pocket as a charm. It's effective to place a gem or two in your pillowcase to improve sleep and dreaming. Consider creating a grid or little altar with stones in a geometrical pattern. Use all these little ideas to transform your reality and live a happier life.

The magic of believing and the repetition of positive thoughts has been a part of my life from a young age. Being introduced to the teachings of Edgar Cayce, Dale Carnegie, and Napoleon Hill at a young age laid the groundwork for my use of affirmations with crystals. I was a lucky girl to have the wisdom of these positive thought leaders brought to my attention when I was a pre-teen. Now, I love to make matching affirmations for every crystal. Balance your energy with positive thoughts.

Create a positive thought or a matching intention with each of the crystals you carry, wear, or work with.

The Chakras and Gemstones
Simply put, the chakras are the energy centers that make up your auric field. Your auric field is the energy in and around you that emanates your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Everything you think, feel, or believe is radiating around you and out from you. This is the energy you pick up from other people and the energy you send out to the world. Using crystals is a form of color therapy and chakra therapy to balance you. Crystals provide a sparkling path to bring more peace and happiness into your life using treasures from the Earth.

Root Chakra and Red, Black, Brown, and Metallic Stones
The first chakra is the Root Chakra, recognized by its red color. Located at the base of the spine, this energy center manages our basic needs. It stores vital energy for securing food, shelter, and water. Gemstones associated with this chakra include colors like brown, black, and metallics. For example, you can use garnet, hematite, ruby, black tourmaline, or pyrite. The root chakra serves as the foundation for living physically on Earth. Using stones physically can complement your healing process or support everyday aspects like your career or health.

Use affirmations like: I am blessed with abundance and prosperity. I have all that I need. I am in excellent health. All my organs and bodily functions work optimally. I am safe and sound.

Sacral Chakra and Orange Gems
The second chakra is the navel or sacral chakra. Its main color is orange, and it is located at the belly or navel area. This chakra is the center of reproduction and creativity. You store emotional memories in this region. Work with carnelian, orange calcite, or red jasper at this energy center. When working with crystals to enhance your life, pay attention to what's happening in your emotional state. Use the crystal as a talisman to help you become aware of your feelings, unblock hidden challenges, and transform your life.

Some affirmations for these gemstones are: I am fertile with great ideas. It is easy for me to manifest. I am balanced and content. I am self-motivated and bring projects to completion.

Solar Plexus Chakra and Golden or Yellow Crystals
The main color associated with the solar plexus chakra is yellow. This chakra is linked to joy, personal power, self-confidence, mental clarity, and the ability to shine your light. This chakra is associated with digestion, both how we digest life and how we digest food. Observe yourself with some golden or yellow stones and take the time to integrate all that has been happening in your life. Focus on this center and these gems when you feel overwhelmed. Wear or carry citrine, golden topaz, or golden calcite.

Here are a few of my favorite affirmations for this chakra and gems: I have a strong sense of self. I have the positive changes. It is safe to be powerful in loving ways. I have the courage to set boundaries with love and grace.

Heart Chakra and Green or Pink Stones
The heart chakra is located in the center of your chest. The primary color associated with it is green, although I like to add pink at the heart center. I look at it like this: take a little of the red from the root and the white from the crown, mix it together to bring heaven and earth together at your heart center. This center serves as a bridge between the lower three chakras of the physical, everyday world and the upper chakras of the spiritual realm. It is the part of us where our true self resides. Keep emerald, green aventurine, jade, pink calcite, rose quartz, or watermelon tourmaline nearby to help you stay focused on loving kindness.

A good practice when feeling challenged by life is to keep your attention on your heart center throughout the day, gaze at your heart chakra crystal or stones, while repeating positive thoughts like these: I am love. All that is attracted to me and all that surrounds me is love. I am grateful for all the blessings in my life.

Throat Chakra and Light Blue or Turquoise-Colored Stones
The fifth chakra, known as the throat chakra, is located in and around the neck. It is usually light blue or turquoise. This chakra is centered at the throat and enables us to communicate and express ourselves. I see this chakra as the foundation for intuition or where the energy for your psychic abilities starts. Use this center to align with your intuition and divine timing. This chakra is a good place to focus when communicating with angels, guides, and loved ones who have passed over. The traits of this chakra include how we present ourselves to the world, such as writing, speaking, singing, cooking, or any other form of self-expression. Some recommended gemstones for the throat chakra are amazonite, aquamarine, blue lace agate, and blue calcite.

Affirm with these statements: It is easy for me to express myself. When I speak, people listen, hear, and understand me. Guidance and inspiration from my angels and spirit guides come to me constantly. I easily interpret and use the signs and messages from angels.

Third Eye Center and Clear and Deep Blue Gems
The third eye chakra is indigo blue. It is located behind the center of our forehead in the middle of the brain. This is the location of our ability to see the unseen, know the unknown, and hear what is not being said. It is the place of intuition, learning, and dreaming. At the third eye, use crown chakra stones as well as third eye stones. These chakras are located close to one another, and the energy overlaps. Use the crystals for mental focus or clarity, like fluorite, to access your inner genius and higher intelligence. Work with iolite, lapis lazuli, sapphire, sodalite, and other stones, like amethyst, apophyllite, charoite, and labradorite.

Affirmations are: I follow my intuition. I am mentally clear. I am grateful for my intelligence. It is easy for me to figure out complex tasks. I take time for reflection.

Crown Chakra and White, Purple, Navy, and Iridescent Crystals
Colors associated with the crown vary from golden white light to a violet flame. Visualize this chakra as a halo around your head. The crown chakra is the seat of higher intuition, channeling, and connection with higher consciousness. Tap into this center to manifest miracles! The upper chakras—fifth, sixth, and seventh—are your link to your spiritual self. Using crystals and gemstones can support your journey to remember who you truly are on a soul or spiritual level. They are tools that help you access your consciousness more deeply. Some gemstones for the crown chakra are ametrine, bismuth, chevron amethyst, clear quartz, Herkimer diamonds, and selenite.

Use all the gems, any crystals, all the rocks, to help you remember your true self and connect with the angels, archangels, saints, animal guides, and spiritual master teachers. Use these positive thoughts with these gems: I am aligned with the Divine. I am a miracle worker. I see life from a higher perspective.

In Conclusion
A little excerpt from Llewellyn's Little Book of Crystals: "Find comfort in knowing that you have all the help you need to overcome any challenge you might experience. Remember, every thought, word, feeling, and action create your reality. Pair your good thoughts with specific stones to amplify what you are creating. Pairing crystals with affirmations helps you achieve your goals and desires. Allow yourself to use all the spiritual tools available to you, from aromatherapy to animal allies to archangels and saints. With mindfulness and crystal-clear intentions, you have the tools to be all that you can be. My wish for you is that you will be happy, feel love, be compassionate and kind, and have an abundance of prosperity and blessings in your life."