We live in a time when it feels like everyone needs protection. Protection from negative vibes, from electromagnetic radiation,  from other people, sometimes from ourselves… the list goes on. Knowing exactly what you need protection from is, of course, important, but in a general sense here are my top four Protective Stones in order of intensity:

1. Shungite This black stone comes from Russia and is known as a purifier, of not just energies but water.  I put a large tumbled stone in my water jug.  I also have a shungite bracelet that I wear often and shungite placed around my electronic equipment.  When it comes to protection from negativity and “clearing the air” this is my go-to due to its soft nature. Shungite works within and without to clear negativity from the cellular level outward. I consider this to be the most gentle of these protective stones.

2. Black Tourmaline One of the premier protection stones. Black Tourmaline is also an excellent grounding stone and perfect for those that need calming due to stressful lifestyles. It doesn’t just dispel negative energy, it has the ability to transmute them into useable beneficial energies. Use this stone to ground and calm yourself if you’ve reached the point of overstimulation in a busy electronic filled life. I also place these near my electronics. Look for high-grade black tourmaline which will be dense and compact. Much of the lower grade will be soft and friable. 

3. Jet A wonderful protection stone very similar in function to Black Tourmaline in that is will transmute negative energies into useable positive energies.  Jet is essentially petrified wood turned into a coal-like substance by pressure. It was used in the Victorian Period as mourning jewelry and you can still find antique pieces that are beautiful.  They are also however somewhat fragile and have been known to crack. Please be mindful of where you get your jet as it is, unfortunately, one stone that is often inauthentic.

4. Black Obsidian: Black obsidian is a powerhouse of a purifier.  This is the stone that I place in areas of my home that are seldom seen but need clearing in a constant way. Think Feng Shui. Black Obsidian will draw out the negative energies but it may also shove them in your face, especially if they’re your own so you need to be prepared for that. It has been traditionally used as a scrying stone. There are those who really can’t tolerate the intensity and I don’t recommend it be worn as jewelry on a daily basis unless you know that it doesn’t affect you in a negative way. 

I often combine these with Hematite and Pyrite and although these two are not primarily protection stones I find the combination works wonders around the computer and electronic equipment.

Another question I often hear is what to do with the stones?  

Endless options! Wear them as jewelry. Carry them in a pouch, in a pocket, in your purse... Sleep with them under your pillow, or if you have a shelf by your bed place them there. In the case of these four particular stones, place them at the foot of your bed, or under the foot of your bed, for grounding. (Mine are on a dresser across from the foot of my bed.) You can simply hold them when you're feeling stressed or ungrounded. Meditate with them in your palms (Palm Stones are great for this-see Palm Stones in my Shop.) Put them in your lap while you're working at the computer. Put some on your desk at work. Place them around your home-they are not only beautiful but beneficial to the energy in your space. Any of these placed around the outside, or within the perimeters, of your home create a protective field. Surround your electronics with them. (Please don't put any Quartz crystals near your electronics as they amplify the energy which is the opposite of what you want.) 

In the case of Shungite and Black Obsidian, they also make a wonderful addition to a hot salt bath. Place them gently in the bath with you, lay back, and detox!