Crystals in the Bedroom: Which Ones to Avoid

Learn where to place your crystals for a good night's rest

Co-authored by Emily Christensen and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: December 30, 2024 Fact Checked

Can’t fall asleep at night? If you have certain crystals in your bedroom, they may be preventing you from a deep slumber. Although science doesn't support all the mystical properties of crystals, many people believe they affect your physical and emotional well-being (including your sleep cycle)! It’s important to keep in mind that crystals work differently for everyone, so be patient when adding them to your routine. If you're looking to create a peaceful atmosphere in your bedroom, here’s an in-depth list of which crystals to avoid placing under your pillow.

Things You Should Know

Avoid crystals that activate the higher chakras, like citrine and selenite. They can prevent you from falling asleep.
Do not purchase crystals that contain toxic substances, such as cinnabar or malachite: prolonged exposure to these stones can pose serious health risks.
For a good night’s sleep, do not keep crystals that promote romance or seduction in your bedroom, like carnelian and ruby.

1

Clear Quartz

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Clear quartz amplifies other crystals, increasing energy in the bedroom. Clear quartz helps maintain a peaceful state of mind, but it might not have the same effect near other crystals. The stone magnifies the power of neighboring crystals, so be cautious if you have multiple stones beside your bed–you may feel overwhelmed by the energy in the room.^{[1]
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- If you still want various crystals in your bedroom, create a zen garden or crystal grid with other calming stones.
- Alternative: Rose quartz and smoky quartz are complementary crystals for a peaceful night’s sleep. At night, place either stone close to your chest to rid the body of repressed emotions and bring love into your life.^{[2]
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2

Tiger’s Eye

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Tiger’s eye increases motivation, discouraging a good night’s rest. Tiger’s eye promotes courage and self-confidence, giving you a motivational boost of energy. While these are amazing properties, the golden-brown stone may be too stimulating in the bedroom, especially if you suffer from restlessness.^{[3]
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- In general, it’s best to avoid prolonged exposure to tiger's eye: the stone contains potentially harmful asbestos.^{[4]
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- Alternative: Pyrite reduces the negative energy in your bedroom, improving your sleep quality. If you decide to sleep with it, hold the crystal in your hand before bed, and speak your intentions for it out loud.^{[5]
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3

Citrine

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Citrine is extremely energizing, preventing a deep slumber. Known as the “sun stone,” citrine is a sunny-colored crystal that awakens the sacral and solar plexus chakra. The crystal increases alertness and creativity, so some people find it too exciting for the bedroom.^{[6]
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- While it’s not the best for a deep slumber, citrine sets the perfect vibe for any studio or workspace. Place a citrine crystal on your desk, or keep one in your pocket when you need inspiration for a new project.
- Alternative: If you have trouble falling asleep at night, place a howlite stone on your bedside table to create a calming atmosphere in your bedroom. Howlite is known for its soothing properties, and many people claim the stone relieves stress and anxiety.^{[7]
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4

Turquoise

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Turquoise is stimulating, making it hard to relax and unwind. Turquoise promotes emotional stability, but it also fuels insomnia for some people. The opaque blue-green stone stimulates the throat chakra, which may prevent you from shutting off your mind for a restful sleep.^{[8]
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- Turquoise is considered sacred in Native American culture: the stone is known for its mystical healing properties and protection from evil.^{[9]
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- Alternative: Bloodstone is known for its cleansing properties, helping to detoxify your body. Place it under your pillow to leave you feeling refreshed in the morning.^{[10]
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5

Amethyst

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Amethyst activates the higher chakra, making it hard to fall asleep. Amethyst is well-known for its healing properties, but it's only calming when used in meditation. The purple crystal opens the crown and third-eye chakras, which may prevent you from entering a soothing sleep pattern.^{[11]
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- To meditate with the stone, place the amethyst on your forehead, close your eyes, and lay on your back quietly for 20 minutes. Take deep breaths, and focus on receiving the stone’s energy.
- You can place the stone anywhere in your bedroom, but observe how you feel in the morning: if you wake up anxious, you may want to switch to a calming moonstone or celestite.

6

Carnelian

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Carnelian intensifies sexual energy, keeping you up at night. If you’re looking for a stone to spice up your sex life, carnelian is perfect to place under your mattress. But, if you’re trying to get some shut-eye, don’t leave it anywhere in your bedroom: the brownish-red stone is known to stimulate your libido.^{[12]
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- For a good night’s sleep, it’s best to remove any crystals that attract love, romance, and seduction. Stones that incite passion (and halt sleep) include ruby, garnet, and fire agate.
- Alternative: Amazonite is known as the “soothing stone,” and it’s an excellent option when you need support and release from discomfort. If you have a busy mind, place it under your pillow to protect you from external influences.^{[13]
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7

Black Tourmaline

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Black tourmaline causes vivid dreams, which may disrupt your sleep cycle. Although it’s safe to keep in the bedroom, don’t wear black tourmaline to bed. The dark, jagged stone is associated with intense dreaming (including nightmares), and these effects can create a sleep imbalance that lasts for days or weeks.^{[14]
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- Some people find that the benefits of black tourmaline outweigh its potential sleep disturbances: if you want to cleanse the negative energy in your space, place the stone near the entrance of your bedroom or underneath your bed.
- Black tourmaline can be sharp and fragile, so most people do not recommend wearing it to bed or keeping it on a bedside table.

8

Selenite

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Selenite is an energetic healing tool that may cause sleep disturbances. Also known as “liquid light,” selenite has high-vibrational properties^{[15]
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Michelle Arbeau
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Expert Interview}. The translucent stone eliminates toxic energy^{[16]
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Michelle Arbeau
Numerologist

Expert Interview}, but it also activates the crown and third-eye chakras: some people find it keeps them up at night.^{[17]
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- You may find sleeping success by having a combination of selenite and angelite near your bed. Angelite resonates with the heavenly realm to promote peace and tranquility, which may combat the intensity of selenite.^{[18]
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9

Cinnabar

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Cinnabar can be highly toxic, especially with extended exposure. Cinnabar is known as one of the most toxic and deadly minerals on Earth. When oxidized, it releases pure mercury, which can damage the body’s nervous system and cause serious tremors.^{[19]
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- In medieval times, the Spanish sent slaves and convicts to mine cinnabar as a death sentence.^{[20]
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- Alternative: Red aventurine is a fiery red crystal that combats insomnia and headaches. Place the crystal under your pillow to promote full-body relaxation before bedtime.^{[21]
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10

Malachite

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Malachite can be toxic to humans, especially in its raw form. Malachite has a high copper concentration, making it unsafe to keep in the bedroom. The striking green stone is particularly dangerous when it’s unpolished, and malachite dust is linked to respiratory damage and organ-tissue injury.^{[22]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

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- Alternative: Place jade in the southeast corner or your room to promote wealth and abundance. Or, sleep with green calcite beside your bed to remove negative thoughts and help relax you before bedtime.^{[23]
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11

Bumblebee Jasper

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Bumblebee jasper isn’t safe to sleep next to. The eye-catching pattern of bumblebee jasper is certainly a conversation-starter, but the stone holds a dark secret–it contains traces of poisonous sulfur and arsenic. With prolonged exposure, bumblebee jasper can be detrimental to your health, so avoid adding this stone to your collection.^{[24]
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- Since experts don’t recommend regular handling of bumblebee jasper, most suppliers don’t even sell it.
- Alternative: If you struggle with waking up in the middle of the night, place red jasper underneath your pillow or mattress to wake up feeling balanced and energized.^{[25]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Can a room crammed full of crystals make you feel ill, extremely tired and exhausted?

Justin kers

Community Answer

Yes. Multiple crystals together is hard, because you need to make sure they don't misalign. For example, tiger's eye gives you extra energy while black tourmaline guards your energy, so it isn't smart to just pick-and-choose random crystals in your room. If your room were to be crammed full of crystals, you would either need to have crystals ONLY with the same effect (which is expensive) or random crystals that will disrupt your energy.

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