Forgive me if I start by 'tooting my own trumpet'. My Touchstones: Manual for the Crystal Therapist
is full of sound, practical guidance for using crystals for healing. It is the core text book for my Foundation and Certificate level training courses, but will also prove invaluable for anyone studying alone. If you are interested in studying with me take a look at my school website. Touchstones School of Crystal Therapy
My absolute favourite crystal reference book is the Book of Stones, by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian. The photography is good and I love the way both authors write about the crystals. Personally I have learned a lot from them and it is the first place I turn if I have a new stone. Some of my students use the book as guidance, opening it 'at random' for a stone and theme for the day. This is a very spiritual guide to crystals and a must have on any crystal lover's bookshelf.
The Essential Crystal Handbook, by Sue and Simon Lilly makes an excellent pocket sized reference book. The photographs are attractive & helpful. Crystals are organised by colour, which is handy if you have a crystal in front of you & don’t know what it is. Similar stones are listed to help you identify a crystal that may look quite like another- a handy feature. Each crystal is discussed in terms of identification & care, magic, healing functions and practical ideas. Students and practitioners of crystal healing will find some of the technical information helpful too- including chemical composition, hardness, lustre & crystal system. This is a very neat little book, easily transported with you on crystal buying expeditions.
A better known reference book is the best-selling Crystal Bible by Judy Hall. This is another practical guide to crystals & again its smaller than average size enables you to carry it around. Most of the information can be gleaned from other guides, however having it all pulled together is useful. Stones are organised alphabetically. The attributes of stones are discussed, followed by their healing properties.
Crystal Power, Crystal Healing by Michael Gienger is a recommended read for my students. Gienger has an interesting slant on crystal healing, grouping people by personality traits into the seven categories of crystal structure. He also includes more information on geology and chemical composition than the other books I’ve mentioned. The lovely thing about this book is the excellent photography. Each crystal is beautifully captured on black photographic plates. Gienger gives information under headings of Minerology, Mythology, Healing- which is split into the effects crystals have spiritually, emotionally, mentally & physically, and Application. He also includes chemical composition, crystal system, formation, mineral class and colours. My only bugbear is that being translated from German seems to have mixed up the alphabetical order, so that some stones are out of place, for example Emerald turns up in the middle of stones beginning with S! This isn’t really a beginner’s book, but it's great for someone wanting to extend their knowledge.
