More Than Mystical: How Crystals Shaped the Modern World
Exploring the Journey of Crystals from Ancient Beliefs to Groundbreaking Technologies.
WOW echoed in my six-year-old mind as I saw a crystal at my grandmother’s house for the first time. A stunning purple shimmer from across the room captured my full attention. THOSE MUST HAVE SUPERPOWERS, I thought, completely mesmerized by their beauty.
Being the quiet, shy kid I was, I waited until the adults left the room before I dashed over to get a closer look. With trembling hands, I hesitated to pick one up—it wasn’t mine, and it looked incredibly special. But I had to. After one last glance around the room to make sure no one was watching, I carefully lifted it, staring in disbelief. It felt like I was holding something otherworldly as if it were magic. At that moment, I felt like I had become a superhero, which was an absolutely sensational feeling to experience as a kid.
For context, when I was a kid, superheroes like Superman and He-Man often wielded crystals with magical powers, which surely influenced my fascination.
From that day forward, crystals have captivated my imagination, drawing me in with their enduring beauty and timeless allure.
Many people have shared with me the various healing powers they believe different crystals possess, but that’s never been what captured my attention. I’m drawn more to the science behind crystals, which I’ll explore in this post.
Recently, I listened to one of the most well-known science communicators dismiss crystals as little more than mystical nonsense. Feeling that this statement was a bit disingenuous, I was inspired to write this blog and do a “brief deep dive” into the fascinating world of crystal science.
Given the abundance of unsubstantiated claims floating around, I understand why people might find the mystical aspect of crystals a bit far-fetched. However, the placebo effect is well-documented in scientific research. Therefore, if someone believes wholeheartedly that a crystal holds certain powers, and that belief is strong enough to trigger the placebo effect, then in a way, the crystal does possess those powers—at least for them.
Crystals aren’t just stunning works of natural art; they result from millions of years of Earth’s quiet, patient labor. That fact alone is astonishing to me. It’s difficult to grasp what a million years truly means, but if the average human lifespan is 77 years, that’s the equivalent of 12,987 lifetimes. A looooong art project indeed—one that commands my deepest respect and admiration.
Imagine our early ancestors stumbling upon fruit for the first time—it wouldn’t have been a harrowing discovery. Fruits' vibrant colors and striking shapes naturally draw the eye, almost as if they were designed to demand our attention. Crystals possess a similar power. Their dazzling hues, unique forms, and captivating brilliance seem to beckon us as though nature itself is urging us to take notice — perhaps for reasons we have yet to fully understand.
Until the 1800s, crystals were primarily viewed as ornamental objects, often believed to possess mystical or healing properties. Many cultures, including ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, attributed various metaphysical benefits to crystals, using them as talismans for protection, health, and good fortune. Crystals were also highly prized for jewelry due to their beauty, rarity, and symbolic significance. Beyond these uses, their functionality was relatively limited.
However, everything began to change in the late 19th century with the discovery of piezoelectricity by Jacques and Pierre Curie in 1880. This groundbreaking discovery revealed that certain crystals, such as quartz, could generate an electrical charge when subjected to mechanical stress. This realization opened the door to numerous technological applications, shifting the role of crystals from mere decorative items to critical components in modern science and industry.
From then on, crystals became essential in various technologies. Quartz became widely used in oscillators and resonators in radios, watches, and later, computers due to its precise vibration frequency under electrical stimulation. Additionally, crystals like silicon became the foundation of the semiconductor industry, revolutionizing electronics and paving the way for modern computing and telecommunications.
Thus, what was once seen as a symbol of mysticism and adornment evolved into a critical element driving technological innovation in fields ranging from timekeeping and communication to advanced computing and medical devices.
With their inherent beauty, Crystals have quietly revolutionized the modern world in ways we often take for granted. Ruby crystals sparked the birth of laser technology, lighting the path for innovations in medicine, communication, and industry. Crystalline silicon became the heart of solar panels, capturing sunlight to power our cities and homes. In optical fibers, crystals silently carry our voices and data across continents in the blink of an eye. Even in medical diagnostics, piezoelectric crystals help unveil the hidden workings of our bodies through ultrasound and advanced imaging. These once-mystical objects now pulse at the core of technology, shaping the future in ways both seen and unseen.
Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest inventors in human history, was not immune to the powerful allure of crystals. Tesla, who revolutionized the world with his inventions in electricity and magnetism, found himself captivated by the mystery and potential of these natural wonders. For Tesla, crystals represented more than just beautiful objects—they embodied the forces of nature he sought to harness. In his pursuit of understanding the universe’s hidden energies, it’s no surprise that crystals fascinated him with their unique ability to store and transmit energy.
“In a crystal, we have clear evidence of the existence of a formative life principle, and though we cannot understand the life of a crystal, it is nonetheless a living being.” — Nikola Tesla
If it weren’t for visionaries like Nikola Tesla and other scientists who were captivated by the allure of crystals, we wouldn’t have the advanced technology we rely on today. Perhaps their beauty was meant to capture our attention for these very reasons, or maybe there’s still more yet to be uncovered. Either way, it’s clear that crystals are far more than just mystical nonsense—they’re a bridge between nature’s artistry and humanity’s greatest innovations.
Thank you for reading this post. I hope you found it insightful and enjoyable! If you are interested in learning more about crystal science, I’ve included a video below that provides aditional information on the amazing properties of crystals.
I enjoyed your stack! Crystals have been a part of my life since 1986, when I hunted for doubly terminated ones at the Herkimer Diamond mines in NYS. If, as you wrote, crystals store and transmit energy and information in machinery and so on, then they likely can also do so when interfacing with humans. It's just a matter of learning how to recognize and interpret the exchanges made.
I love crystals! I have a mini collection that I hope I get to keep adding to. This was fascinating to learn about their roles in technology!