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Malachite

Malachite is one of the most recognisable minerals in the crystal world. Its vibrant greens, swirling bands, and earthy presence make it a favourite for collectors, healers, and lovers of natural beauty. More than just a pretty stone, malachite has a long history of being used for transformation, emotional healing, and personal growth. Whether you’re drawn to its stunning patterns or fascinated by the science behind it, malachite carries both visual magic and deep energetic strength. What Is M...

Tree of Life Dream Catchers

At Blissful Things, we’re excited to now stock Tree of Life Dream Catchers — a beautiful blend of symbolism, tradition, and spiritual energy. Many of our designs also feature chakra beads and crystals, bringing an extra layer of intention and vibrational support. This blog looks at the meaning behind both the Tree of Life and the dream catcher, and how these two powerful symbols come together in one piece. What Is the Tree of Life? The Tree of Life is a universal symbol found in cultures al...

Blue Apatite

Apatite is a beautifully vibrant mineral loved by collectors, healers, and crystal enthusiasts for its uplifting energy and vivid colours. From deep ocean blues to earthy greens, apatite is a crystal full of movement, motivation, and clarity. Whether you’re drawn to its scientific background or you resonate with its metaphysical properties, apatite offers a wonderful blend of inspiration and grounding.What Is Apatite? (Scientific Information)Apatite refers to a group of phosphate minerals comm...

Sodalite

Sodalite: Meaning, Properties & Why This Deep Blue Stone Is So Loved Sodalite is a striking deep-blue mineral that has captured the hearts of crystal lovers, collectors, and healers around the world. Its rich colour, white veining, and calming energy make it a favourite in both spiritual and geological circles. Whether you’re drawn to its soothing presence or fascinated by the science behind it, sodalite is a beautiful blend of earth magic and mineral wonder. What Is Sodalite? (Scientific ...

Hearts

Crystal hearts are one of the most cherished and meaningful shapes in the crystal world. Universally recognised as a symbol of love, compassion, and emotional connection, these polished gemstone hearts are not only beautiful to look at but also filled with deep spiritual energy and history. ✨ How Crystal Hearts Are Made Crystal and gemstone hearts begin as natural mineral specimens carefully cut and shaped by skilled stone workers. Each heart is first roughly carved from a larger piece, then g...

Bloodstone, also knew as Heliotrope

Bloodstone, also known as Heliotrope, is a captivating gemstone recognised for its deep green color with striking red speckles, reminiscent of drops of blood. This unique combination has fascinated crystal enthusiasts and collectors across New Zealand and the world.🌍 Scientific InformationBloodstone is a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz, specifically a form of chalcedony. Its distinctive red or brownish-red markings are caused by iron oxide inclusions, typically hematite. Composed of silic...

Red Jasper

Red Jasper is a captivating gemstone, admired for its rich red hues, caused by iron oxide inclusions within the chalcedony structure. Its striking color and durability make it a favourite for collectors, crystal enthusiasts, and spiritual practitioners across New Zealand, from Tauranga to Katikati.🌍 Scientific InformationRed Jasper is a variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz. Its iron content gives it the vibrant red tones that make it so recognisable. Known for its hardines...

Fossil Discovery Box

Fossil Discovery Boxes – A Gift for Young Explorers (and Adults Too!) Having been a Mum of two not-so-little treasure hunters—and an adult gem and fossil nerd myself since childhood—I can tell you how much joy goes into discovering the wonders of the natural world. That’s why I had so much fun putting together these little Fossil Discovery Boxes for Christmas! These are also perfect for birthdays, for yourself or 'Just because'.  Packed into a compact, sturdy box, each set is a tiny...

Magnetic Hematite

Magnetic Hematite has become a popular item in the crystal world — shiny, fun, and fascinating to play with! But there’s a lot of confusion about what it actually is. Let’s clear things up and explore the differences between Magnetic Hematite, Magnetite, Hematite, and Lodestone (or “Lodalite”). ⚙️ What Magnetic Hematite Really Is Magnetic Hematite may look like natural Hematite, but it’s man-made.It’s created by heating iron oxide to a very high temperature and introducing str...

Rhodonite

Rhodonite is a striking gemstone admired for its pink to red hues, often adorned with bold black veining created by manganese oxide inclusions. Its unique patterns make it a favourite among collectors and crystal enthusiasts across New Zealand, from Tauranga to Katikati.🌍 Scientific InformationRhodonite is a manganese inosilicate mineral that typically forms in metamorphic environments. Its distinctive color and veining make it not only a beautiful gemstone but also a valuable geological indi...

Howlite

Howlite is a beautiful, striking mineral, easily recognised by its white or greyish-white body with black or grey veining. Its soft, calming appearance mirrors the gentle energy it is known for, making it a favourite among crystal enthusiasts in New Zealand.🌍 Scientific InformationHowlite is a calcium borosilicate mineral, forming in evaporite deposits. It is relatively soft, ranking 3.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it should be handled with care. Its distinctive veining gives each specimen...

Celestite

Celestite, also known as Celestine, is a stunning blue mineral admired for both its beauty and its high-vibrational energy. Its delicate, sky-blue crystal clusters make it a favourite among collectors and crystal enthusiasts in New Zealand.🌍 Scientific InformationCelestite is a strontium sulfate mineral (SrSO₄) commonly forming in sedimentary rocks. Its soft, fragile structure ranks 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it requires gentle handling. Avoid water when cleaning; a soft, dry p...

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is one of the most breathtaking stones in the mineral world — a deep celestial blue gemstone flecked with shimmering gold from natural pyrite. Its beauty has captured human imagination for thousands of years, symbolising wisdom, truth, and spiritual insight.🌍 Scientific InformationLapis Lazuli isn’t a single mineral but a metamorphic rock composed mainly of lazurite, with calcite and pyrite adding to its unique texture and sparkle. The pyrite gives those stunning golden fleck...

Satin Spar Selenite

Selenite Satin Spar is one of those crystals that instantly brings a feeling of calm. With its soft, pearly glow and silky fibres, this beautiful form of selenite is cherished for its ability to cleanse, recharge, and bring peace to both spaces and energy fields.🌍 Scientific InformationDespite often being called “Selenite,” Satin Spar is a fibrous variety of gypsum, a hydrated calcium sulfate mineral (CaSO₄·2H₂O). It forms as saline waters slowly evaporate in sedimentary environments...

Crystal Gifting for Holidays & Special Occasions

Christmas is coming, and here in New Zealand, we know it’s a time for sunshine, barbecues, and backyard fun—but it’s also a chance to give gifts that really mean something. If you’re looking for something a bit different from the usual socks or chocolate, crystals make a beautiful, mindful gift.Whether it’s for friends, family, or that special someone, gifting a crystal is giving more than just a stone—it’s sharing energy, intention, and a little bit of magic.Why Crystals Make Grea...

Pyrite - Fools Gold

Pyrite, often called “Fool’s Gold”, is a dazzling mineral that has captured human fascination for centuries. Its metallic, golden sheen can easily trick the eye, but beyond its beauty lies a mineral full of energy and significance.🌍 Scientific InformationScientifically, pyrite is an iron sulfide mineral (FeS₂). Its shiny metallic luster and brassy yellow color often led early prospectors to mistake it for real gold, earning it the nickname fool’s gold. Pyrite forms in sedimentary, m...

Fluorite

Fluorite, known scientifically as calcium fluoride (CaF₂), is a mesmerising gemstone celebrated for its stunning range of colours — from delicate clear and sunny yellow to vibrant green, soothing blue, and deep royal purple. You’ll even find Rainbow Fluorite, where several shades blend beautifully within one crystal. Loved for both its scientific and metaphysical qualities, Fluorite is truly a gem that brings order to chaos — helping the mind, body, and spirit flow in harmony.Scientific ...

Moonstone

Moonstone is one of those crystals that truly captures the imagination. Known for its ethereal glow and gentle energy, it has long been cherished as a stone of intuition, balance, and emotional healing. From the soft shimmer of White Moonstone to the mystical depths of Black Moonstone, this gem comes in a beautiful variety of colours—each with its own energy and story to tell.What Is Moonstone?Scientifically, Moonstone belongs to the feldspar mineral group, which makes up a large portion of th...

Green Aventurine

Green Aventurine is a captivating mineral known for its vibrant green colour and its strong connection to prosperity, healing, and heart energy. It’s one of the most popular crystals for beginners, gift buyers, and anyone wanting to manifest abundance and good fortune.What Is Green Aventurine?Scientifically, Green Aventurine is a variety of quartz containing tiny flecks of fuchsite, a chromium-rich mica that gives the stone its beautiful shimmering green hue. This sparkling effect is known as ...

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz, often celebrated as the “Stone of Unconditional Love,” is one of the most beloved crystals for its soft pink hues, soothing energy, and gentle yet powerful metaphysical properties. Scientifically, Rose Quartz is a variety of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), coloured by trace elements such as titanium and iron, which give it its distinctive blush tones. While polished and tumbled pieces are most common, in rare cases, natural Rose Quartz crystals can be found, making them highly prized ...

Black Tourmaline

Black Tourmaline, also known as Schorl, is one of those crystals that instantly feels solid, grounded, and dependable. With its deep, inky black colour and subtle sheen, it has long been cherished as a protection crystal and an essential for anyone working with energy.Scientific BackgroundScientifically, Black Tourmaline is a complex boron silicate mineral and part of the larger tourmaline family. It often forms in long, striated crystals and can contain traces of iron, which give it that rich, ...

Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz, often called the “Master Healer”, is one of the most versatile and widely used crystals in the world of metaphysical and practical applications. Its stunning clarity and energy amplification abilities make it a must-have for crystal enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone interested in personal wellness. Scientifically, Clear Quartz is a silicon dioxide (SiO₂) mineral, a crystalline form of quartz known for its optical clarity and ability to refract light. Its purity and transpar...

Smoky Quartz

Smoky Quartz, sometimes spelled Smokey Quartz, is a captivating crystal known for its rich, earthy hues ranging from soft translucent grey to deep, chocolate-brown. Scientifically, it is a variety of quartz (SiO₂) that gains its colour naturally through exposure to radiation from surrounding rocks during formation, making each piece uniquely patterned and beautiful.Scientific and Metaphysical PropertiesSmoky Quartz is celebrated both for its aesthetic beauty and its powerful metaphysical quali...

Labradorite

Labradorite is a captivating gemstone, known for its striking flashes of blue, green, gold, and sometimes even violet, a phenomenon known as labradorescence. This shimmering optical effect occurs when light refracts within the layers of its feldspar crystal structure, creating an almost magical glow that changes as you move the stone. No wonder it has been cherished for centuries for both its beauty and mystical properties.Scientific and Metaphysical MarvelsScientifically, labradorite is a felds...

Shiva’s Eye Agate

Shiva’s Eye Agate – The Protective Stone of Inner VisionShiva’s Eye Agate is a captivating variety of Indian Agate, carefully worked into the distinctive ‘eye’ shape. This unique form isn’t just beautiful — it carries profound spiritual significance and has been used for centuries as a protective and balancing talisman.What is Shiva’s Eye Agate?Scientifically, Shiva’s Eye Agate is a type of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz. Its signature feature is the eye-like pat...