My first ever experience with a crystal was with a Lapis Lazuli. I was 19, dawdling around Spellbox in Melbourne’s Royal Arcade while skipping class with a friend who was captivated by oracle cards, energy and crystals.
I picked things up and set them down again. A glittering tray of gems caught my eye at the counter and I wandered over to them.
Their properties intrigued me, but what stone would I choose? And for what? After settling on Lapis Lazuli, a stone said to be in alignment with my Sagittarius star sun, I held it up and marvelled at it’s opalescence and tucked it into my bra.
Their properties intrigued me, but what stone would I choose? And for what? After settling on Lapis Lazuli, a stone said to be in alignment with my Sagittarius star sun, I held it up and marvelled at it’s opalescence and tucked it into my bra.
Crystals of all shapes and sizes have made their way to me since then.
A little pack of tumbled amethyst, jade and rose quartz stones as a KK gift.
A sage wand, citrine cluster and selenite stone from a colleague when I quite my corporate job to move to the surf coast. Another piece of citrine from a beautiful friend when I left my job to have a baby.
Sitting in front of me as I type is a beautiful purple and green fluorite wand and a little piece of blue lace agate; clear communication = amplified!
While I marvel at the sheer beauty and incredible ways of Mother Nature I must confess, I really don’t know how to harness the incredible energy of these pieces. How to set intentions and allow each crystal to work it’s magic.
While scrolling through Instagram I came across Rachel Crethar’s feed @rock_and_co. Dazzling gems sparkling at me from my screen. I was drawn to the soft, intuitive vibe and the crystals she sourced and displayed were stunning. I was hooked and I wanted to know more.
So much so that I reached out and asked Rachel if she’d be happy to share the passion behind her brand new business Rock & Co and also let us in on magic behind the minerals.
At first I was drawn into crystals and minerals purely from an aesthetic point of view – and once I started to see positive changes in my own life I started becoming more and more interested in the metaphysical side of things.
My first crystal was a Citrine cluster (one of the crystals known for increasing wealth) and within the week our little household had three financial wins in various forms and in totally unexpected ways – I was hooked!
My crystal dream is to do a buying trip to the Tucson Arizona one year! And maybe even do my own ‘rock hunting’ in North Carolina.
How does Rock & Co work?
I tend to source based on instinct, beauty and colour first and foremost.
Once I get the beauties home then I give them a cleanse – I always start with sage, and then depending on the type of stone then I might use some salt water, or sunlight.
If I’m not familiar with the type of stone I’ve sourced then I always try and live with it in my home or on my desk for a bit, so that when I write its meaning on the site I have my own opinions and intuition, rather than just what I’ve read.
I like to put a positive intention into the crystals before I send them. I’ve had quite a bit of feedback about the wonderful energy from the crystals received, which has been so exciting!
Dioptase – the in-the-moment stone.
Sparkling pyrite clusters – stone of wealth and prosperity
Clear Quartz clusters
I’m receiving emails from people wanting me to help choose the right piece for them, or source a specific crystal for a certain place in their house which I absolutely love doing! And the best thing about this is that I get to know them a little bit more personally – so I set their crystal intentions accordingly.
What is your best advice for using your intuition when buying a crystal online? Most people know what they are looking for either from an aesthetic or metaphysical point of view before they go online, and then once they see the images I’ve had a few people say to me that they keep being drawn back to one particular crystal.
I also had some people drawn to one they’ve seen on Instagram too.
What is it that attracts us to certain crystals?
Quite often it’s the beauty or unique colours first, and then once people find out the metaphysical properties they realise that a crystal is actually exactly what they needed!
Green Apophyllite
What are your favourites and how do you use them?
My favourites tend to change depending on what I’m working on – personally or professionally. At the moment as I’m doing lots of creative work for my business I’m really drawn to my Citrine piece. I also have a lot of Clear Quartz around the house – with two young children, my advertising job and Rock & Co I need as much mental clarity and calm surrounding me as possible.
I’m also really fascinated by Apophyllite – it has been around the house a lot since starting Rock & Co and I love the way it mixes with so many other stones so beautifully. I’ve been working through some old blockages with my kinesiologist recently and I feel like that’s why I’m being so drawn to this crystal.
But my ‘sweetheart’ crystal is my piece of Celestite. It seriously has my heart. I find it so calming and soft that I keep it on my bedside table.
Beautiful blue celestite clusters
Which crystals do you suggest for someone starting out their collection?
Clear Quartz is the most versatile crystal due to its energy clearing and protection abilities, as well as its healing influence. I think it’s the perfect start to any collection.
Rose Quartz is also great for loving, soothing energy – and who doesn’t need a little extra self-love and confidence in themselves?
For the desk I love Clear Quartz, Citrine, Pyrite or Malachite.
Clear quartz – perfect companion for living areas
Can you cleanse and recharge a crystal that has been broken?
I believe that when a crystal breaks – then it has served its purpose, or wasn’t meant for you.
Azurite Malachite
Serpentine
Apophyllite
Looking for the perfect piece for your home, desk or meditation space?
Want a particular pretty piece sourced?
Get in touch with Rachel to unearth the perfect crystal for you: hello@therockandcoshop.com.au
Keep up-to-date with all the new glittering goodness Rachel adds to the shop weekly.
www.therockandcoshop.com.au | @therock
