Asterism

A star effect in a stone.  Most of the time, this is seen in rubies and sapphires, but some moonstones may have it from time to time.

A cat's eye effect in a stone.  It's seen often in alexandrite, and in some sunstone, and others as well.

This is when a stone is grown from being seeded and then grown under fairly more natural circumstances, or when a natural stone's growth is accelerated or facilitated in a lab.

Some stones such as lava rocks, have special heat distribution and conducting properties.  When these are heated and placed on the body, they can have a therapeutic effect similar to a heating pad, or a constant warm touch.

They can also assist in drawing infection out of the skin's surface, and unclogging pores.  Some stones also give off a smell when heated or wet and heated, that has an aromatherapeutic effect.

The subject of much controversy and justificable skepticism, holding is basically holding a stone in one's hand to draw its energy into one's self.  It hasn't been proven to be very effective, and when it has, it doesn't really matter whether an actual crystal or colored glass was used.  So its effect is purely psychological.

Therefore, the best use for this is in combination with other methods, and when someone needs the psychological benefits of a stone's texture, color, and heat conducting literally on hand.

The hands and feet both have nerves and pressure points that when stimulated, can benefit other parts of the body.  So it is useful, but it must be done correctly to benefit from it.

These are the natural patterns of lines, grains, and cracks you may see in some stones.  They aren't necessarily faults in the stone, and in fact, can be very beneficial in crystal therapy.

The hexagonal patterns in corundum are a good example.  For jewelry that is only for show, most don't want to see those patterns in their rubies and sapphires, but for crystal therapy these are essential to help the mind combat negative emotions.  Another good example are the "blocks" in spinel.  They may not be preferred in the jewelry shop, but in crystal therapy, they're important for helping someone to organize their thoughts and lives.

A crystal that was created and grown in a laboratory.  Note: this term is used for actual crystals, not glass or rhinestone.  A lab ruby for instance, is as much red corundum as a ruby that came from the ground.  It is not a "faux" ruby, but a real one that was just made in a lab instead of in the ground.

These are often preferred alternatives for those who are worried about karma and/or environmental impact.

When the stone is lain on the body near the organ or "essential origin", and light from the sun, a full spectrum bulb, or fire is allowed to pass through or around the stone and into the body.

This term also applies when stones are placed within view of the eyes in a lighted area.  Such as in the use of full spectrum bulbs to balance circadian rhythms and sleep cycles, and combat depression, crystals may be arranged in a way to deal with specific biorhythmnic or psychological issues.

A crystal that was created in and by the Earth.

Similar to holding, but wearing may also be done to cause people other than the wearer to have a particular reaction...such as when pink stones such as rhodochrosite, rose quartz, and pink opal are worn to trigger feelings of affection and peacefulness.    Anti evil-eye pendants are a good example of wearing stones to affect both the wearer and onlookers.