This is a question I’ve been asked many times over the years—can crystals keep growing once they’ve been mined or taken out of the earth? It’s a fascinating thought, and one that deserves a clear, down-to-earth answer.

The Simple Truth

Once a crystal is removed from its natural environment—whether that’s deep underground, in a cave, or nestled in a pocket of rock—it stops growing. The reason is simple: all the conditions that were feeding it and allowing it to grow are no longer present.

In nature, crystals form very slowly—over millions of years. Growth requires a perfect combination of temperature, pressure, mineral-rich fluids, and, above all, time. Once that process is interrupted by mining or exposure to the air, the crystal is effectively “finished.”

But What About Crystals That Seem to Grow?

Over the years, people have told me their crystals appeared to grow—and I always listen with interest. Most of the time, there’s a simple explanation.

Memory plays a big role. You might tuck a crystal away for a few years and then rediscover it. Suddenly it seems bigger or smaller than you remember, or perhaps you notice a new sparkle, inclusion, or rainbow flash you hadn’t seen before. That’s completely natural—our perception changes, and our memories aren’t always exact.

Environmental Changes and Reactions

Crystals don’t keep growing once they’re out of the ground, but they can still react to their surroundings.

I remember my dad telling me a story years ago. He and a few others were heading to a gem show with a load of quartz crystals in the back of a truck. After a long, bumpy trip and a sudden temperature drop, he noticed the quartz had started to “sweat.”

This wasn’t new growth—it was moisture being released. Crystals can trap tiny amounts of water when they form. A sudden change from a warm, humid environment to a cold, dry one can cause that moisture to escape, a bit like a glass fogging up when you bring it in from the cold.

Some minerals, like calcite, are also more sensitive. In salt water, calcite can start to dissolve or shrink. Others may fade in colour if left in direct sunlight, or change slightly from exposure to body oils when handled often. These aren’t signs of growth, but natural reactions to the environment.

A Practical Point of View

I’ve been around crystals for over 40 years, and in all that time I’ve never seen one actually grow once it has left the earth. I’ve also never come across a documented case with measured proof of post-mining crystal growth—at least, not without an explanation involving environmental change.

That said, curiosity is healthy. If you feel your crystal has grown, don’t feel silly—it may be more about perception, memory, or environmental effects. From a geological standpoint, however, crystals don’t grow once they’re removed from their natural setting.

The Unexplained

Of course, there are always mysteries. With all my years of experience, I haven’t personally encountered a crystal that’s grown outside of its natural environment. But if I ever do, I’ll certainly revisit this blog!

Crystals are incredible teachers. While they may not grow in size once they’re in your care, they can help us grow—in spirit, awareness, and connection. And really, that’s a kind of growth just as magical.

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