Having grown up surrounded by crystals, I’ve always been fascinated by how different minerals mix within the Earth’s kingdom. Some of my earliest memories are of admiring polished stones at the local gem club, where lapidaries—stone artisans—worked their magic. Both my parents were involved in this craft, and as a family, we often ventured to the Coromandel to collect nature’s treasures. More often than not, we would return with beautiful mixtures of petrified wood, agates, chalcedony, storm agates, jaspers, and everything in between.

These stones, particularly those with swirling patterns, deepened my appreciation for the way minerals can blend together. Seeing jaspers, druzes, and chalcedony within a single rock opened my mind to the idea that nature follows its own artistic recipe—like a constantly changing trifle pudding made by Mother Earth herself, each one slightly different yet equally fascinating.

Naturally, this love for stones led me to attend gem shows across the country. Growing up, my favorite stall was always Wilderness Gems. I have many fond memories of Eric and Nigel from that stall, but that’s a story for another time. Let’s get back to the concept of being ‘Imperfectly Perfect.’

One thing I quickly noticed in the gem world was how mineral collectors, hobbyists, faceters, and stone enthusiasts would study crystals, pointing out different inclusions, fractures, and formations within the stone. These natural quirks weren’t just imperfections—they were exciting!

Yet, when my parents started a crystal business in our basement in 1991, I noticed something interesting at metaphysical fairs. There was often an expectation for crystals to look exactly like the pristine images found in books or magazines. This puzzled me. Where I saw a gorgeous rose quartz sphere with an incredible iron inclusion, others saw a flaw.

Looking back, I understand it better now. At the time, the metaphysical and geological worlds were complete opposites. Crystals were still relatively new to many people, and the idea of rock collecting was sometimes seen as a ‘geeky’ hobby. But times have changed. Now, families and children are getting into crystals, and it’s wonderful to see young minds nurtured in their curiosity.

Something to remember when reading a crystal book: they always showcase the absolute best specimens. Professional photographers with high-end cameras capture these images, and editing enhances them further. Decades ago, this was even more pronounced because taking high-quality photos wasn’t as accessible as it is today. As a result, people often formed unrealistic expectations about what their ‘perfect’ healing crystal should look like.

Fast forward to today, and we have an entire generation who grew up loving crystals and are now introducing them to their own children. Crystals have become mainstream—not just for metaphysical purposes but also for collecting, education, and home décor. With this widespread interest comes a deeper appreciation. More people now ask, “What is this inclusion inside my crystal? What makes it special?”

One of my all-time favorite crystal books is 'Love Is in the Earth, A Kaleidoscope of Crystals' (now out of print)  by Melody. What made her work so groundbreaking was her unique blend of metaphysical and scientific perspectives. Melody held a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Mathematics, bridging the gap between the spiritual and mineralogical worlds. She didn’t just document crystals—she celebrated their inclusions, oddities, and unique characteristics. Her pictorial book showcased not just the ‘prettiest’ crystals but real, naturally occurring specimens. At the time, this was revolutionary, helping people appreciate the beauty of imperfection.

Since then, we’ve seen a flood of other crystal books, including The Crystal Bible volumes, which have become go-to guides for many. Over time, people have come to understand that not all crystals will look exactly like those in the books. Experience has shifted perspectives.

And that rose quartz with the iron inclusion? It turns out it’s actually a ‘thing’ now. Ever heard of Golden Healer Quartz or Fire Quartz? These are types of hematoid quartz—celebrated today rather than dismissed as imperfections.

This journey has shown me that we should embrace inclusions, flaws, and unique quirks in crystals—because they make each stone one of a kind. After all, if every crystal looked the same, wouldn’t that be boring? The same goes for people. None of us are perfect, yet our individuality is what makes us special. Thankfully, we now live in a time where diversity—both in crystals and in people—is something to be celebrated.

So next time you’re searching for the ‘perfect’ crystal, maybe take a step back and appreciate it from a different angle. You might just find that its imperfections make it even more perfect.