Little Guide to Crystals

Megan Kaye has written and edited a number of MBS and psychology books for DK and other publishers since graduating from Cambridge 15 years ago. She and her family live in London.Alejandra Peñaloza is an illustrator based in Berlin. Her work celebrates the magic of nature, the charm of everyday life, and the quiet beauty of small moments. Her work is rich with thoughtful detail, characterised by immersive atmospheres, balanced colour palettes, and dynamic compositions. While she primarily works digitally, her illustrations retain the warmth and texture of acrylic paint—a nod to her roots in traditional media.She immerses herself in each project to gain insight into the behaviours, movements, and stories that characterise her subjects. She translates these observations into vibrant, dynamic images, capturing the essence of each subject both in its natural setting and in dreamlike scenarios. Her approach balances accurate representation with subtle surrealism, highlighting the wonder of the natural world and everyday life. She gathers firsthand references when possible to ensure authenticity and depth in her work. This ongoing exploration deepens her understanding of the energy of her subjects and keeps her connected to the natural world.Alejandra holds a BA in Graphic Design from Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, and an MA in Fine Art from Kingston University, London.

This is a bright, friendly and informative introduction to the world of crystal healing. Balancing spiritual tradition with practical explanation, Kaye outlines how crystals form, how they can be cared for, and how they may be incorporated safely into meditation or wellbeing routines. ...Cheerful, accessible and thoughtfully structured, it provides a gentle entry point into crystal-based practices without straying into the overly esoteric.”

• What is a Crystal? 6How Crystals Form 8Internal Structures 10Vibrations & Healing 16The Chakras 20The Power of Colour 26Crystal Shapes 28Birthstones 32Sourcing Crystals 38Crystal Care 40Meditation 42 The crystalsAgate 44Alexandrite 48Amber 50Amethyst 52Ametrine 56Apatite 58Aquamarine 60Aventurine 62Beryl 64Bloodstone 66Calcite 68Carnelian 70Celestite 72Chalcedony 74Chrysoprase 76Citrine 78Danburite 80Diamond 82Emerald 84Epidote 86Fluorite 88Garnet 90Hematite 92Howlite 94Lolite 96Iron pyrite ‘Fool’s Gold’ 98Jade 100Jasper 102Jet 104Kyanite 106Labradorite 108Lapiz Lazuli 110Magnetite/Lodestone 112Malachite 114Moonstone 116Obsidian 118Onyx 120Opal 122Peridot 124Quartz 126Rhodochrosite 130Rhodonite 132Ruby 134Sapphire 136Selenite 138Sodalite 140Spinel 142Sunstone 144Tiger’s Eye 146Topaz 148Tourmaline 150Turquoise 152Zircon 154Zoisite/Tanzanite 156