New Study Explores Rising Trend for Crystals and Gemstone Jewellery

Posted on: 16/11/2023

The trend of using or wearing crystals and gemstones isn’t new, but it’s also far from slowing down. In fact, it appears to be gaining further momentum. 

TikTok data shows 19.2 billion hashtag views for #crystals and 1.6 billion hashtag views for #gemstones, and the same hashtags have also been used over 40M times on posts on Instagram to date.

What’s more there have been 80 million #crystal TikTok post views in the UK in the last three months alone, and online search interest is up 17% in the same timeframe.

We’ve also seen a rise in sales for some coloured gemstones too. So, what’s driving this fresh surge in demand, and why do people love crystals so much?

We’ve been exploring this trend to see what is influencing rising interest in it, what the nation’s favourite gemstones are, and how people are using and wearing them.

What’s the difference between gemstones and crystals?

Before we get into things, we thought it would be worthwhile explaining what the difference is between these two.

Essentially, a gemstone can be a crystal, but a crystal cannot be a gemstone.

Crystals have molecules that are arranged in such a way that it creates a geometric pattern formation. 

A huge variety of elements can be crystals - like salt and sugar.

In contrast, gemstones are crystals that are made of only rare minerals of the purest quality. This is why gemstones tend to be priced more highly and are usually turned into jewellery specifically. 

How many use or wear crystals regularly and why?

We asked 2,000 UK adults for their thoughts on crystals and gemstones, including beliefs on their powers and motivations for using or wearing them.

Our findings revealed that over a third (38%) of Brits are using or wearing gemstones regularly, with one in five (21%) firmly believing they have healing powers.

Interestingly, men are slightly more likely to believe than women (22% vs 20.5%). When it came to age range differences, those aged 25-34 are the most likely to believe, followed 18-24s and 35-44-year-olds.

Looking at location hotspots, Manchester, London, and Glasgow most likely to believe, whereas Leeds, Liverpool, and Edinburgh least likely.

Overall, the majority of Brits (53%) are at least open to the idea that crystals can help improve their health and wellbeing.

The most common reasons for using or wearing crystals is wanting to relax and feel calm (17%), to shield against physical and emotional negativity (11%), to feel grounded and stable (10%).

Wanting to encourage love, or to feel comforted (both 6%), and wanting to restore harmony and balance in relationships (also 6%) were also cited as top reasons.

What’s influencing our favourites?

Favourite crystal choice was informed first and foremost by aesthetic, with 42% saying they really like the colour or look of their top choice.

Feeling it has strong energy or healing power was the second most common reason (19%) and following a fashion trend was the third (19%).

While aesthetic was the top reasons for people using or wearing crystals, celebrity influence was a factor for one in seven people. Notably, Katie Price, Emma Lucy, David and Victoria Beckham, Dr Dre, Stefflon Don, Molly Parkyn, Tiwa Savage, Justin Bieber, and Adele were all cited as specific figures who had influenced the respondents to explore this trend further.

What do other experts think?

 We also consulted with various experts – including: Jessie Hutter, astrology expert at So Syncd; celebrity psychic Inbaal Honigman; Kim Rix from Gemstone Detective; and Dawn Petherick, holistic therapist qualified in crystal healing – for additional insight into benefits of different crystals and gemstones.

Gemstone expert Kim Rix shared that “many systems of traditional medicine teach that disorders of body and mind arise from imbalances and blockages in the body’s energy. Certain gemstones are thought to act as conduits, concentrating the flow of positive energy to certain parts of the body and allowing negative energy to be released.”

Dawn Petherick, holistic therapist qualified in crystal healing, explained what the qualities of the most popular gemstones are, according to our survey.

1. Amethyst (favourite amongst 12%)

Amethyst - which ranges in hues from purple to lavender - has a very high spiritual vibration which makes it an excellent stone for meditation, enhancing intuition and bringing feelings of peace and calm. It can help with insomnia and easing headaches and releasing tension. Be careful where you keep it as it fades in sunlight.

2. Diamond (11%)

Diamond symbolises virtue, purity, and innocence. It bonds relationships, bringing love and clarity to partnerships. A symbol of wealth it is also attracts abundance and manifestation. It reduces fear and encourages new beginnings. A powerful aura cleanser it supports your spiritual development.

3. Rose Quartz (6%)

Rose Quartz – which is pink - teaches self-love and understanding, compassion and love for others. Creates deep inner healing, the most powerful stone for healing the heart chakra. Calming and increases empathy. Excellent for a mid-life transformation. Soothes stress, fear, and tension.

4. Emerald (5%)

Emerald - which is green, a variety of beryl – is a stone of patience and integrity, it has a calming effect on emotions, bringing them into balance. It enhances clairvoyance and connection to your higher self, whilst also protecting you from enchantment by those with less pure intentions. Brings more joy and wisdom into your life and ability to overcome setbacks.

5. Aquamarine (5%)

Sensitive people ae often drawn to Aquamarine - which is a green-blue form of Beryl. It soothes fears and feelings of overwhelm by increasing courage and can help in bringing closure to issues. It’s another great stone for meditation by connecting you with your higher self and cleansing your aura. 

6. Sapphire (5%)

Sapphire – which is typically blue, but can also be black, pink, yellow, white - brings peace, wisdom, and pure thought patterns. Balances the whole body and boosts manifestation. Blue sapphire supports the throat chakra and encourages speaking up. Enhances exploration of spiritual practices and transmutes negative energy.

7. Blue topaz (4%)

Topaz is more usually is golden yellow/brown, but Blue Topaz is the blue variety. Excellent for meditation and when placed on the throat chakra (e.g worn as a short necklace) aids communication. Assists in following your heart and personal path of truth by helping you to see where you have wandered away from this.

8. Ruby (4%)

Ruby – which is red – brings confidence, security, self-esteem, energy and courage. Protects against psychic attack and balances the heart chakra. Encourages motivation, passions and following your dreams/goals. Overcomes exhaustion and removes negativity from your path.

9. Jade (3%)

Jade – which comes in various colours, but most commonly green - signifies wisdom and works with the heart chakra bringing feelings of nurturing and love. Jade is greatly prized in the East and is believed to bring harmony, keep the wearer from harm and protect from nightmares.

10. Alexandrite (3%)

Alexandrite – which shines red or green – is a protective stone thought to bring longevity and inspire the imagination. It also brings joy and enhances feelings of self-worth. When worn over the heart it is believed that it brings luck in love.

How do you use and ‘charge’ crystals and gemstones?

Psychic Inbaal Honigman added that “any way of interacting with crystals can be effective. The best way is the way that fits best around your life. If you’re a jewellery kind of person, then wearing crystals is best, and there are several options.

Necklaces, bracelets or even a tiara places the crystal in your aura for big parts of the day. If you’re not a big fan of wearing gemstones, there are other ways to be near them.

Keeping crystals by your bed when you sleep will help empower you while you slumber. A crystal in your pocket (or bra!) means that the stone is influencing you without requiring any attention. And a gemstone in your handbag or wallet will do the same.

Communication stones like Citrine or Lapis Lazuli can enhance your work if placed by your computer or phone, and a crystal keychain can bless your house.”

Astrology expert Jessie Hutter commented “whether you're looking to get rid of bad energy, improve your focus, gain clarity, or gain confidence, there's a crystal or gemstone that suits a whole range of possibilities. Nature often has an answer to our problems, and crystals are an ancient, powerful system of healing”.

Regularly cleansing your crystals helps to keep their energy strong, and charging your crystals is a way to rejuvenate and amplify their energy. Jessie shared various methods you can use to charge your crystals, including:

• Sunlight or moonlight: Exposing your crystals to sunlight or moonlight for a few hours can charge them. But be careful with certain stones, like Amethyst, which can fade in the sun.
• Water: Natural water sources can also cleanse and charge your crystals. Make sure your crystal isn’t water-soluble before using this method.
• Sound: Sound healing allows a single pitch or tone to wash over an area, bringing it into the same vibration as the tone. This can be accomplished with tuning forks, singing bowls, or even the clapping of hands.
• Visualisation or meditation: Meditating with your crystals and visualising them being filled with light can also effectively charge them.
• Reiki or other energy healing: If you are attuned to Reiki or another form of energy healing, you can use these methods to cleanse and charge your crystals.
• Breath and intention: Hold your crystal, set your intention, and blow onto your crystal three times. Your breath carries your intention and can both cleanse and charge your crystal. 

What about birthstones?

In our survey, 18% of people said their favourite gemstone was their birthstone.

Here is a summary of birthstones based on which month you were born, and what each are said to symbolise:

• January – garnet (symbolises faith, eternity, and truth)
• February – amethyst (symbolises peace, protection, and tranquillity)
• March – aquamarine (symbolises happiness and understanding)
• April – diamond (symbolises eternity, courage, and health)
• May – emerald (symbolises fidelity, goodness, and love)
• June – pearl (symbolises peace, nobility, and beauty)
• July – ruby (symbolises love, enthusiasm, and strength)
• August – peridot (symbolises luck, success, and peace)
• September – sapphire (symbolises serenity, health, and good fortune)
• October – opal (symbolises purity, hope, and health)
• November – citrine and topaz (symbolises wisdom, sincerity, and courage)
• December – tanzanite (symbolises generosity and friendship)

If you are looking for birthstone jewellery, we have a large range, spanning rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

What about crystals and star signs?

When it came to star signs, psychic Inbaal Honigman shared the following insight: “There are no specific official gemstones for each sign – many lists exist and they’re not all the same. As crystals are many and varied, choosing only one crystal to resonate with the vitality of Aries or the spirituality of Pisces is impossible, there are more than one. Here is a sample list, but feel free to pick the stone that fits best for you”.

• Super active Aries goes for bloodstone for its stress-busting properties
• Peaceful, bookish Taurus favours sapphire for its help with creativity
• Sociable Gemini suits agate for its association with thinking and speaking
• Family minded, indoorsy Cancer loves emerald for its patience
• Proud Leo values onyx as a protector and bringer of fortune
• Sensible Virgo likes carnelian for its motivational properties
• Elegant Libra chooses peridot for its positive effects on inner peace
• Passionate Scorpio will pick topaz for its help with forgiveness
• Adventurous, chaotic Sagittarius benefits from turquoise and its grounding qualities
• Business minded Capricorn links with ruby which keeps them and their loved ones safe
• Humanitarian Aquarius resonates with garnet for its patience
• Intuitive, empathic Pisces enjoys amethyst as it enhances psychic ability

About our research

• We ran a nationally representative survey of 2,001 adult UK respondents in October 2023
• We also did desk research into social media (TikTok and Instagram) trends – analysing hashtag view figures in October. Latest data was used to decipher most popular, and weekly growth % was calculated to discover the ‘emerging’ trends
• Desk research of Google Trends was undertaken in early November