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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...

Carnelian

Carnelian is one of those stones that immediately catches the eye with its warm, glowing energy. This orange to red-orange gemstone is known for sparking motivation, courage, and passion — making it a long-time favourite among crystal lovers, creatives, and those seeking a little energetic boost.What Is Carnelian?Scientifically, Carnelian is a type of chalcedony, which is part of the quartz family. Its beautiful colour comes from a high concentration of iron oxide, giving it those rich shades ...

Botswana Agate

Botswana Agate is one of the most elegant members of the Agate family, loved for its soft layers of colour and soothing, steady energy. Formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity, this remarkable stone is a variety of banded chalcedony, part of the quartz family.Found mainly in the African nation of Botswana, it often displays gentle swirls of greys, pinks, creams, and earthy browns, sometimes accented with subtle purplish tones. Its delicate patterns resemble the soft flow of smoke ...

Crystals for Study and Focus

As the end-of-year exams roll around or a new school term begins, it’s natural to feel the pressure of study and performance. Crystals can be wonderful companions during these busy times — helping to calm the mind, sharpen focus, and encourage confidence. Whether you’re studying for NCEA, university papers, or just want to stay organised and motivated, these crystals can help support both your energy and mindset.At Blissful Things, we’ve chosen a few of our favourites that are perfect fo...

Plume Agate

Plume Agate is one of nature’s most artistic creations — a beautiful variety of chalcedony, which is a crystalline form of quartz. Within its often translucent body, you’ll find delicate, feather-like inclusions that resemble floating plumes, coral branches, or soft wisps of smoke captured in stone. These intricate patterns are not painted or dyed — they’re naturally formed mineral inclusions that developed as the stone grew, layer by layer, deep within the Earth.What is Plume Agate?Sc...

Citrine

Citrine is a radiant yellow to golden-brown variety of quartz (SiO₂) that gets its warm hues from traces of iron within its crystal structure. While natural citrine is relatively rare, most commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, bringing out the sunny colors we all recognize and love. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, citrine is durable and ideal for everyday use, whether in crystal collections, decorative pieces, or jewellery.The Metaphysical Magic of CitrineCit...

Dyed Agate

Agate, a captivating variety of chalcedony, is prized for its wide range of colours and intricate banding patterns. Scientifically, Agate is a silica mineral known for its durability and striking appearance, formed through the slow deposition of silica in volcanic rocks.Metaphysically, Agate is renowned for its grounding and balancing properties, often used to stabilise emotions and enhance mental clarity. It is believed to offer protection and promote a sense of security, making it a popular ch...

Crazy Lace Agate

Crazy Lace Agate, often called the “Laughter Stone” or “Happy Lace”, is one of the most joyful and vibrant members of the Agate family. With its lively swirls of reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, and browns, this captivating crystal brings an instant lift to both spirit and space.Each piece of Crazy Lace Agate looks like a miniature piece of abstract art, with intricate lace-like bands and rhythmic flow — a reminder that happiness can be found in life’s beautiful chaos.What is Crazy Lac...