The 13 Best Protection Crystals (Properties, Uses & More)

Gemstone Expert Valeria Johnson explains which crystals provide the strongest protective energy

Co-authored by Valeria Johnson and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: March 27, 2026 References

Curious to find out which crystals can safeguard you from an abundance of negative energy in your life? You’ve come to the right place. Those who believe in the spiritual properties of crystals have long associated certain varieties with protection and warding abilities—including crystals like clear quartz, black tourmaline, amethyst, and obsidian. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of protection crystals, details on the specific type of energy each one can protect you from, plus advice on how to use them!

The Best Crystals for Protection

Gemstone Expert Valeria Johnson says clear crystals, like clear quartz, offer the most powerful protection. They don't absorb negative energies, so they don't need to be cleaned or saged. You can also use clear crystals to purge other crystals. Other protective crystals include citrine, amethyst, and obsidian.

1

Black Tourmaline

Black tourmaline repels psychic attacks and prevents self-sabotage. Gemstone Expert Valeria Johnson agrees that this stone’s protective properties are thought to be able to shield your body, mind, and home from negative energy, leaving you feeling more grounded and peaceful internally.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Valeria Johnson
Jewelry Designer and Gemstone Expert

Expert Interview} Black tourmaline can create a calmer, more positive living space or work environment for you, especially if you tend to work around people with lots of negative energy.^{[2]
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- Keep a black tourmaline crystal next to your front door to keep any negative energy from entering your home.
- If you want to protect yourself from negative energy at work, place a crystal somewhere on your desk.
- Alternatively, place a crystal in each corner of your house to create a crystal grid. As you place them, imagine an invisible barrier connecting each crystal and forming a shield to defend you from outside negativity.

2

Clear Quartz

Clear quartz balances and cleanses the negative energy around you. It’s an extremely versatile crystal, and it’s thought to be able to absorb and dispel negative energy while attracting positive energy at the same time. That’s why clear quartz is ideal for cleansing the energy in your space and helping you release any negativity that is no longer serving you. It also amplifies other crystals and enhances their abilities.^{[3]
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Karuna Jain, MS
Life Coach & Energy Healer

Expert Interview}
- Always set an intention before using clear quartz! It’s an impressionable stone and works best when you have a specific purpose for it.^{[4]
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  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  
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- Hold a crystal in your hand and state your intentions for it. For example, you might say, “I am banishing the negative energy from my life,” or “I am deflecting negativity and attracting positivity.”
- From there, keep your crystal on your person at all times to get the most from its protective abilities. You might keep one in your pocket, place it on your bedside at night, or wear crystals as jewelry (such as necklaces, earrings, or rings).

3

Rose Quartz

Rose quartz protects against negative thoughts and amplifies self-love. Known for its gentle pink hue, rose quartz is associated with love and inner peace, explains Jewelry Designer and Gemstone Expert Valeria Johnson.^{[5]
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Valeria Johnson
Jewelry Designer and Gemstone Expert

Expert Interview} It’s believed to protect you from negative thoughts (and, at the same time, strengthen your sense of self-love and confidence). It can also activate the heart chakra—and, like clear quartz, deflect negativity while attracting positivity.^{[6]
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- As with any quartz crystal, be sure to set a protective intention when you use rose quartz to activate its benefits.
- Wear a rose quartz crystal as jewelry to protect yourself from negative thoughts and boost your confidence throughout the day.
- Hold a piece of rose quartz while meditating to activate your heart chakra.
- Place a crystal anywhere in your home that you want to dispel negativity.

4

Citrine

Citrine converts negative energy into a sense of calm and positivity. Known as the "manifesting stone," citrine can help protect you from stressful situations (or stressful people). This is because it’s thought to transmute negative energy into a sense of calm and positivity, making unavoidable stressors feels more bearable and less intense. Citrine may even help you sleep more peacefully at night!^{[7]
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- If you're a restless sleeper, store citrine under your pillow or on your bedside table to ward off insomnia and bad dreams.
- If you know you’ll be in an anxiety-inducing situation or spending time with negative people, wear citrine as a piece of jewelry so it stays with you during the day.

5

Amethyst

Amethyst protects against negative energies coming from other people. Rich purple amethyst crystals are thought to be particularly great at warding off negativity in crowds and public places, preventing you from feeling drained or overwhelmed after going out. They’re also believed to heal and protect you from internal pain and suffering—whether it’s caused by grief, bad dreams, addiction, or other negative thought patterns.^{[8]
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- Wear a piece of amethyst jewelry before out go out and use the amethyst to ward yourself against the negative energy coming from other people.
- Place amethyst under your pillow to protect yourself from nightmares and psychic interference.

6

Smithsonite

Smithsonite is a soothing stone that protects against anxiety and stress. Like rose quartz, smithsonite is thought to help unlock your heart chakra, protecting you from negative or turbulent emotions by connecting you to your heart center. It’s thought to be particularly effective at dispelling the anxieties of everyday life, absorbing feelings of intense stress, and giving you a sense of calm instead.^{[9]
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- Keep smithsonite crystals in any areas you tend to experience high stress—like your home office or car, for example.
- If you’re not sure where you experience the most stress, simply keep a crystal in whichever room or area you usually spend the most time in to reinforce a feeling of connectivity and unconditional love.

7

Black Obsidian

Black obsidian wards away and absorbs negative energy in your home. The crystal is believed to protect you and your surroundings from dark energy and help you come to terms with difficult emotions that might be weighing you down. It’s a particularly absorbent stone and is thought to pair well with clear quartz since black obsidian draws out negative energy while the quartz replaces it with positive energy.^{[10]
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- Keep a black obsidian stone near each of the entryways in your home to ensure they absorb all the negative energy trying to get inside.
- Alternatively, keep a crystal in any room you feel has high levels of negative, unpleasant energy—from your bedroom to your living room.
- It’s also very important to cleanse your black obsidian often to prevent negative energy from building up and making the crystal less effective.
  - There are plenty of ways to cleanse crystals (clear away negative energy and replenish their natural positive energy).
  - For example, you could soak them in a saltwater bath for an hour, leave them outside overnight to be cleansed by moonlight, or hold them under running water.^{[11]
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    Emily Christensen
    Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
    
    Expert Interview}

8

Opal

Opal catches negative energy and reflects it back to its source. This crystal is known for its reflective abilities and is believed to be able to pick up on thoughts and emotions and reflect them back wherever they came from. So, if people with negative or harmful energy surround you, opal may be able to stop that energy in its tracks and reflect it back toward its source—keeping it away from you.^{[12]
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- Wear opal throughout the day in a piece of jewelry or keep a piece of it close somehow (in a pocket or in a bag you often carry around, for example).
- Keep the opal crystal pressed directly against your skin whenever possible—which is why a piece of jewelry, like a necklace or bracelet, may be especially effective.

9

Black Jade

Black jade protects you from negativity by boosting your intuition. Even when you know there’s too much negativity in your life, sometimes it’s hard to tell where that negativity is really coming from—and that’s where black jade comes in. This crystal acts as a personal energy guardian, enhancing your intuition so you’re able to pinpoint the source of the negativity and steer clear of anyone who’s a negative influence in your life.^{[13]
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- Keep a piece of black jade with you wherever you go during your day-to-day activities for constant protection.
- Bring a black jade crystal with you on any new adventures or travels you embark on as well!

10

Pyrite

Pyrite is a detoxifier that protects against overusing technology. It’s strongly recommended for anyone who spends a lot of time around computer screens or technology and is thought to shield your mind and body from any harmful side effects. Sometimes known as “fool’s gold,” pyrite is also believed to help protect you from negative emotions and ensure your safety in life. It may even help you manifest financial abundance!^{[14]
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- Place pyrite anywhere in your home to reap its benefits since it supposedly has a long reach and can protect as long as you’re nearby.
- However, if you’d prefer to keep it close by, try slipping a piece of pyrite into your pocket or purse.
- Pyrite is also thought to be a creativity booster because of its shiny metallic coloring, so try keeping a piece on your desk the next time you start a new project.

11

Peridot

Peridot is believed to protect against supernatural spirits and ghosts. Also commonly known as the August birthstone, peridot is thought to create a psychic shield against ghosts. It can also protect against anxiety and stress of any kind and serve as a catalyst for positive change in your life.^{[15]
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Research source} So, if you believe in the supernatural or simply feel that you’ve been extremely stressed lately, uplift your energy and protect your mental well-being with peridot.
- Place a peridot crystal in any room that feels like it may have negative ghostly energy inside it.
- Otherwise, wear a peridot crystal as jewelry to keep it close for a constant source of protection.

12

Tiger’s Eye

Tiger’s Eye shields you from the ill will and bad intentions of others. When used for protection, Tiger’s Eye is thought to be a strong source of positive energy and good luck. Traditionally, the crystal was used as protection against curses. Now, not only can it keep you feeling grounded and confident, but it also creates an energetic shield to protect you from other people’s bad vibes and malicious intentions.^{[16]
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- Carry the crystal’s energy and intention with you by wearing it in a piece of jewelry.
- Boost your self-assurance with Tiger’s Eye by placing a crystal over your heart and repeating the phrase, “I am courageous” at least 3 times. Then, carry the crystal around in your pocket for an extra dose of confidence.

13

Moonstone

Moonstone is thought to be a powerful protector for travelers. Are you an intrepid explorer, always visiting new places and determined to travel the world? Moonstone might be your ideal crystal protector, as it’s been used in protective traveling talismans for generations. When it comes to Moonstone’s benefits, the crystal is believed to soothe you by dispelling negativity and aiding focus and mental awareness. It may even enhance psychic powers!
- Wear your moonstone as jewelry (especially if you use it for protection while traveling).
- Otherwise, keep a moonstone crystal in whichever room you tend to frequent most to take advantage of its benefits.
- Although there are many ways to cleanse crystals, moonstone responds best when cleansed in the light of the full moon each month.