Stones for love, in all its forms
As Rumi says: "Love is a bridge between you and everything."
When I was in Japan in October last year, I spent a couple of soft days in Kamakura, attending the Daily Rest Studio’s wonderful retreat where we learned a lot about Japan, but even more about ourselves.
One day, we visited Hasedera, a temple of the Jodo sect, which is home to an eleven-headed statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy and compassion, known elsewhere as Kuan Yin. The temple looks out over the sea, and everything there feels shaped by ancient spirits: the moss, the little stone sculptures, the large incense stands, the way people move with reverence, treading slowly and mindfully.
It is one of those places that asks you to lower your voice without telling you to.
At a small stall tended by monks, I bought a charm. A woven pink heart. Simple. Almost childlike. It had a tiny bell hung from it, making a sweet, gentle sound.
It was blessed for ease in relationships.
Not for romance alone – but for harmony, understanding and softness where things feel knotted.
I bought it because I realised that when you reach adulthood, relationships sometimes feel heavy – conflicting schedules, different life trajectories, the growing pains when one person moves at a different speed. It's not like when you were a child, and one stick and two apples between you felt like the depth of the whole world. Now, you compare or weigh words, you try not to judge, and to be of service. It’s not like it’s impossible to have thriving relationships as an adult – but they sometimes don't flow as easily as they used to.
I quickly attached the pink charm to my most-worn bag. Of course, I didn’t expect miracles. It’s "just a charm", after all. And it hasn’t been a cure-all.
But since the Japanese trip, I’ve noticed something sweet unfolding: friendly conversations flowing more easily, reconnections happening without force, new relationships arriving with a sense of right timing, as if serendipitous.
Whether you believe in the transformative energy of objects or not, I’ve come to think this is the part that matters most: intention.
Stones, charms, rituals – they’re not about fixing us or giving us something tangible, something you can measure or package. They’re about reminding us what we’re inviting in.
Crystals for love & relationships
I’ve never been a big Valentine’s Day person, but lately, I’ve been thinking about it differently. At its core, it’s a reminder that what we offer – to others and to ourselves – is best when it comes from the heart. I’m trying to live a little more heart-led this year, that's for sure.
As much as love is many things – tenderness, patience, attraction, loyalty, repair, acts of service – different seasons of life ask for different support. For me, this year is about bringing the heart into the body, which means living more courageously, visibly and out loud.
Nobody likes playing favourites, but when it comes to heart support, I do have preferred stones — and pink opal is one of them. It was the first stone I ever worked with, and I instantly fell in love with its soothing presence. It’s said to help heal heartache and support the heart chakra.
I remember a couple of women who found their way into my world through pink opal.
One was an academic and a volunteer firefighter — a strong woman with wild hair, standing at a crossroads. She bought her first pink opal necklace from me, and later requested a few more pieces (some mixed with pearl, some with onyx and aquamarine), saying they worked beautifully with her frazzled mind and heart.
Another was a businesswoman with a distinctly alpha stance. She tried on the Kokoro (meaning heart in Japanese) necklace and was mesmerised — even surprised — by how sweet and gentle it felt on her. “I don’t want to take it off, I feel like I want to dance,” she told me, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
She recently messaged to say that since we met, she’s slowed down, stopped living in constant boss-lady energy, met her love, and is now planning a trip around Australia in a van.
Was it the stone, or was it the heart?
It’s hard to say. But I believe it was both.
So here’s a small selection of other stones that have been revered for centuries for their love-enhancing properties.
Rose quartz
The classic, for good reason. Rose Quartz opens the heart gently. It supports unconditional love – not just for others, but for yourself – and is especially powerful for healing old emotional wounds that shape how we love now.
Emerald
A stone for relationships that want to grow. Emerald is associated with fidelity, honesty and long-term commitment. It’s not flashy love – it’s love that deepens through shared life, trust and truth. I have an emerald engagement ring and my ombre emerald choker on me every day.
Garnet
Warm, grounding and a little fiery. Garnet restores vitality and passion, especially when relationships feel tired or disconnected. It reminds us that desire and devotion can coexist.
Moonstone
For new beginnings – new love, renewed love or a new chapter with yourself. Moonstone is deeply linked to emotional intuition and cycles. It’s a beautiful ally when stepping into the unknown with an open heart.
Rhodonite
The stone of emotional balance. Rhodonite supports forgiveness, repair and compassion, particularly when love has been bruised but not broken.
Ruby
Deep commitment, courage and heart-led devotion. Ruby strengthens bonds that are meant to endure and encourages us to love boldly, without shrinking ourselves. It is a powerful stone, so be warned – it can turn you into a Kali goddess!
A Valentine’s reflection
You don’t need to believe that stones do anything on their own.
But choosing one, wearing it, holding it – that choice is an act of intention.
And intention shapes how we show up: how we listen, how we choose, how we soften or draw a boundary – and how we love.
This Valentine’s Day, love doesn’t have to be perfect. But this day can be a reminder to meet your relationships with an open heart. And love yourself, first, of course.
Here's our small Valentine's Day curation - plus a tiny bead ring to sweeten the deal ♡ · ㅤ♡ · ❤︎ · ֶָ֢ · ༯ · ⏦ﾟ♡︎ · 𐙚 · ᵕ̈