Crystal points: formation, shapes, care and how to choose

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What is a crystal point?

In the trade, a “point” is an elongated crystal that ends in a tip. Most often it is quartz: a mineral made of silica, with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Quartz crystallises in what is called the trigonal system, but its crystals look like six-sided prisms capped by a tip with sloping faces. This is the silhouette that is known as a point.

The word “crystal” comes from the Greek krystallos, meaning “ice”: the ancients believed that rock crystal was ice hardened by extreme cold. That belief is no longer held, but it explains why clear quartz has always fascinated people. On this page we talk about what can be verified; the symbolism is covered further down, presented as a tradition.

This page is part of our guide to crystal shapes, which presents all the shapes offered in the stones range.

How a point forms in nature

Quartz crystals grow in cavities and cracks in rock, when very hot water carrying dissolved silica cools slowly. Silica is deposited on the walls and the crystals grow towards the empty space. The slower the cooling and the more free space there is, the more regular and transparent the crystals become.

A crystal attached to the wall by one end has a tip only at its free end: this is the classic point. When a crystal grows freely, without being fixed, it can have a tip at each end: this is called a double-terminated point. “Herkimer diamonds” from the state of New York are the best-known example: they are double-terminated quartz found in cavities of a dolomite rock. Be careful with the vocabulary: some sellers reserve this name for crystals from that single region, while others apply it to any double-terminated quartz, which is why prices vary so much.

On the side faces of a real quartz crystal, you often see fine horizontal striations, perpendicular to the axis of the point. This is a good sign of natural origin.

The types of points you will find

Type	Description	Good to know
Natural raw point	Crystal as it came out of the rock, sometimes with an irregular base	Each piece is unique; the base may show traces of rock
Polished point	Crystal cut and polished by a lapidary, with a flat base	It stands up on its own; the shape is regular, but it has been shaped
Double-terminated point	Tip at both ends	Rarer in its natural state; check that it has not simply been cut
Clustered point	Several points on a common base	See the page on druses and clusters
Wand or “laser”	Thin, long crystal with very regular faces	Trade name, with no scientific definition

Names such as “generator”, “laser”, “cathedral” or “channeller” are trade names or habits of speech in crystal healing: they do not designate categories recognised in mineralogy.

Traditional symbolism

In contemporary popular traditions, the point is associated with the idea of direction: it is said to be “pointing upwards” to symbolise elevation, focus or mental clarity, and “pointing downwards” to symbolise grounding. These associations are modern and vary from author to author; they rest on no scientific evidence. Clear quartz has also, since antiquity, been the material of the seer’s crystal ball (see crystal ball and crystallomancy).

No effect on health, on the energy of a piece or on mood has been demonstrated. A point is first and foremost a beautiful mineral object, which you can enjoy for its appearance and use as a focus for attention: resting your eyes on a crystal for a few breaths is a simple gesture, whose value lies in the calm you bring to it.

How to use it

• As decoration: on a shelf, a desk or a bedside table, preferably on a small wooden or metal stand.
• In meditation: place it in front of you and look at it for a few minutes, or hold it in your hand.
• In a grid: at the centre or at the corners of a small arrangement of stones (see the crystal grid tutorial).
• As a gift: a point of 6 to 10 cm is a simple size to give.

Safety: a point is pointed by definition. Do not leave it within reach of young children, and do not balance it on the edge of a piece of furniture.

Care and cleaning

Quartz is hard (7) and resists water: a rinse under lukewarm water with a little mild soap, then drying with a clean cloth, is enough to remove dust and fingerprints. An old soft toothbrush helps clean the hollows.

• Avoid knocks: quartz is hard but brittle, and the tip can chip.
• Never leave a crystal in full sun behind a window: like a magnifying glass, it can concentrate the light and set fabric or paper on fire. This is a real fire risk, not a symbolic precaution.
• Points that are dyed or surface-treated (see below) do not tolerate rubbing or products: clean them dry or with a barely damp cloth.
• For symbolic purification (moon, smoke), see our guide to cleansing and recharging your stones.

Recognising a real point and avoiding surprises

Several pitfalls exist, without implying that anyone is at fault: the information is simply useful for buying with confidence.

• Moulded glass: a “point” that is perfectly transparent and regular may be glass. Glass sometimes shows tiny round bubbles and faces that are too perfect; natural quartz tends to show cracks, veils or irregular inclusions.
• Dyed quartz: electric blue, bright pink or very saturated violet on colourless quartz often indicates a dye or treatment. The colours sometimes collect in the cracks.
• “Aura” quartz: the quartz is coated on its surface with a thin metallic layer deposited under vacuum to give iridescent reflections. This is a treatment, and the layer can wear away. See the page on aura quartz.
• Reconstituted quartz: fragments glued or fused together to imitate a larger crystal. A reputable seller will say so.

To go further, read our page on real or fake stones. A safe test at home: natural crystal is cold to the touch and warms up slowly in the hand; glass does too, so this test alone does not settle the question.

How to choose your point

• Size: 5 to 8 cm for a bedside table; 10 to 20 cm for a shelf; above that, check the weight and stability.
• Transparency: a perfectly clear crystal is rarer; “veils” or “phantoms” (silhouettes of former tips visible inside) are what give a natural piece its charm.
• The base: a flat base means you do not need a stand.
• Condition: look for chips at the tip and along the edges.
• Variety: rock crystal, amethyst, smoky quartz, citrine (often obtained by heating amethyst, which is common and normal, but should be disclosed).

Our points are in the points, spheres and figurines section.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to crystal shapes.