Crystal Shapes Explained: Natural Points, Towers, Spheres, Freeforms and Carvings
Some shapes grew that way; others were cut that way. Here is how to read crystal product names without confusing form with mineral identity.
A “crystal shape” can describe natural crystal habit or a shape created by cutting and polishing. Those are not the same thing.
Natural point
A natural crystal point has faces and a termination produced during growth. It may be cleaned or lightly polished without being carved into a point.
Tower
In retail, “tower” usually means a cut-and-polished object with a flat base and pointed top. A rose quartz tower did not grow in that geometry.
Sphere
A sphere is completely manufactured from a larger piece of material. Spheres show patterns from every direction and use a surprisingly large amount of rough material, which affects price.
Freeform
A freeform is polished to follow some of the original shape rather than conforming to a standard geometric object. It is a useful category for labradorite, agate and display stones.
Cluster
A cluster usually refers to multiple natural crystals growing together, although sellers sometimes use the word loosely.
Carving
Hearts, moons, animals and figurines are carved products. The material can still be natural mineral; the shape is simply human-made.
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