The crowned one said:
it is the belief that gives power to the item... So when I believe in a rock it adds to my life but when I do not, it does not, much like religion.
Personally, I believe that crystals hold special healing properties.
But I do not "believe in a rock" ~ the rock is a tool, or channel, through which energy can pass.
The crystals' mineral makeup and color frequency allow them to concentrate and disperse specific energies.
So while crystals do serve as aesthetic visual reminders, I believe that they also produce specific energy frequencies to slowly & subtly alter our behavior & energy patterns.
Most of the light workers I know who use crystals or gem stones for healing, or to "attract certain energies", prefer to work with uncut stones (in the raw form).
Some people even say that making a hole in the crystal (to set it in jewelry, for example) reduces the vibrations of the stone.
Personally, when I use crystals with the specific purpose of attracting or channeling energy, I obtain small (palm-sized) tumbled stones to carry around with me.
I prefer onyx or hematite for protection from negative people & vibes, along with Tiger Eye or Lapis Lazuli.
As for wearing jewelry for crystal vibrations, I'd recommend that you search for pieces that are as un-compromising to the stone's original character and integrity as possible. I have a favorite pendant of onyx, pearl and coral. While the stones do have holes made in them, they appear to be set in a sterling silver thicket. When I wear this pendant it gives me a boost of energy & confidence (coral & onyx), while making me feel like a lady (pearl).
I also own some large, raw crystals that I've purchased at gem shows. You can often find good bargains at these events, and they give you the chance to handle and get to know the stones. It is possible to fall in love with a specific type of stone, much the same as you can fall in love with a Tarot deck. For example, I went to a gem show and made a great deal on a large, strange stone that I'd never heard of before. Had I seen this piece on-line I probably wouldn't have paid much attention to it, but physically handling it made me take notice. It is a murky and smoky brownish/greyish color with an unusual, mysterious texture. I was inexplicably drawn to this crystal and kept returning to touch it, until I finally bought it. Once home, I realized that what had been sold to me as "alligator quartz" was more commonly known among light healers as an "elestial crystal." These crystals are thought to enter our lives only when we are ready to receive the energy they bring, and somewhere in my subconscious I must have recognized this.
When I'm not using the crystals I have for energy work, I keep them covered or wrapped up in cloth (just like my tarot cards).
I often sleep with an uncovered crystal on my night table, but once awake always cover it again.
Covering/protecting & cleansing my stones are 2 very important rituals to keeping the vibrations they bring into my life "pure."
If crystals sit around in one place, uncovered and un-cleansed for a long time, their vibrations seem to get murky and faint.
Please excuse the novel-length post