Avnei HaHoshen and Crystals – What’s the Connection?

The guest on today’s blog is Gila Slonim, an expert on Avnei HaHoshen.

Avnei HaHoshen are the twelve stones that were set on the Kohen Gadol’s breastplate as described in the Torah, in the period prior to the First Temple. According to the Torah, the Avnei HaHoshen were part of the Kohen Gadol’s sacred garments, and the twelve stones represented the twelve different tribes of Israel. During later periods the significance of the stones was refined even further, with each tribe represented by a specific stone.

In this blog, Gila shares a bit about Avnei HaHoshen, their connection with crystals, and invites us to her upcoming course. Following that, I share a bit more about three of the Avnei HaHoshen that I believe are especially useful for busy women to keep on hand at work, to help them be more effective, satisfied, and successful at what they do.

And so to start, let’s learn about Avnei HaHoshen in Gila Slonim’s own words:

We’ve all heard of crystals, but what exactly are the Avnei HaHoshen?

The Avnei HaHoshen – the Stones of the Breastplate – were the twelve gems embedded in the sacred Hoshen, worn by the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) during his service in the Holy Temple. Each stone corresponded to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. These stones are not mythical relics; they are stones we know and recognize today. For example, the emerald – a gem commonly used in fine jewelry – was the stone of the tribe of Levi.

What’s fascinating is that these stones were not only symbolic; they were considered holy and potent. According to Rabbeinu Behaye, a 12th-century Spanish Kabbalist, all other precious stones are derivatives of the original twelve Hoshen stones. That insight opens the door to using many more than just twelve crystals in the realm of healing.

In contemporary practice, crystals – including those linked to the Avnei HaHoshen – are used in holistic healing, both for assessment and treatment. A person’s choice of crystals are a fun and friendly diagnostic tool, offering insight into physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. It’s remarkable how someone’s selection of stones can bring forward deep, often hidden aspects of their inner life.

One particularly memorable case involved a man whose wife reached out after attending a lecture. She asked whether I could help her husband with a longstanding issue that had proven resistant to other treatments. Despite trying numerous approaches, including dietary changes, nothing had brought meaningful improvement.

We arranged a Zoom session, and he selected crystals from images on a screen – a method I’ve found to be surprisingly accurate. His choices pointed to emotional trauma rooted in childhood. At first, he was puzzled. He described a happy home and a good childhood. But when gently prompted, he revealed he had been bullied as a child. This experience, though long buried, still influenced the way he saw himself – particularly in areas of strength and confidence.

It became clear that the issue at hand was rooted in emotional trauma. His crystal choices indicated unresolved experiences that had impacted his self-confidence and overall sense of self. Remarkably, these insights emerged without any verbal cues – his selection of stones spoke volumes. While previous approaches had addressed the physical symptoms, this method revealed a deeper layer that had gone untreated. Through crystal remedies and gentle support, we were able to begin clearing that emotional residue. In time, he experienced a significant shift – both in confidence and overall wellbeing.

Working with crystals is a joyful and even playful experience. People light up when invited to select stones – like being in a candy store, minus the calories. And while the process is enjoyable, its effects can be profound, benefiting both adults and children in ways that often surprise them.

The ancient wisdom of the Avnei HaHoshen continues to resonate today, offering us not only a deep connection to our heritage but also powerful tools for insight and healing. Crystals, gently reveal what lies beneath the surface – and open pathways to meaningful transformation.

Gila Slonim
Founder, The Jewish School of Crystal Healing

Gila’s next course begins on June 15, 2025. It will be five sessions long, on Zoom, and will cover the principles of healing with Avnei HaHoshen and crystals with a Jewish perspective. Want more information? Be in contact with Gila!

In addition to using Avnei HaHoshen as assessment and treatment tools as Gila describes, they are also great to use strategically at work. They are easy to use and effective, and a great tool for busy, professional women.

Amethyst is one of the Avnei HaHoshen that I frequently keep in my workspace.

In Jewish tradition, Amethyst (Achlama in Hebrew) is associated with the tribe of Gad, known for its strength and warrior spirit. It is a purple stone, ranging from pale to dark purple in colour. Amethyst is a relatively hard crystal, and is found in many parts of the world.

Amethyst helps support emotional balance and clarity of thought, including calming the nervous system, supporting restful sleep, and deepening focus (which is why it is frequently used during meditation and why I love it as a work crystal).

I find it is interesting that Amethyst is connected with the tribe of Gad because on the one hand Amethyst is calming and grounding, whereas on the other, the tribe of Gad was known for its strength and aggression. One interpretation of this is that to be a great warrior, it’s important to also keep your calm and focus about you. This is a great metaphor for much that occurs at the office.

For this reason – channelling your inner warrior at work in the most effective way possible – Amethyst is great to use at work, whether as a geodes or clusters on your desk, or through wearing Amethyst jewellery (I have a couple lovely Amethyst bracelets which help me a lot).

Amethyst is a protective and calming stone, counteracting stress and pressure. This helps you be more focused and clear when going about your job. Amethyst’s protective properties also help keep you from being drawn into office politics, including other people’s drama and negativity. A perfect stone for the office, and in a beautiful purple no less.

Nofech is associated with the tribe of Yehuda, and like that tribe, reflects strength, leadership, and heart. It was the tribe of Yehuda that led the camp when they travelled in the desert. Many important kings came from Yehuda, including King David and King Solomon. Indeed, the Mashiach itself is expected to emerge from the tribe of Yehuda.

Garnet stones reflect these ideals. A red stone, ranging from dark red to reddish-brown, it is associated with leadership qualities including grounded energy, follow-through, and staying connected to what is truly important. In addition, Garnet is a protective crystal, helping you release fear, feel brave when finding obstacles on your path, and remaining centred and focused even when you find yourself in chaotic situations.

If you don’t already use Garnet at work to enhance your leadership skills, consider trying it out. Placing Garnet stones on your desk, or wear them as jewellery. I have a beautiful Garnet necklace that my mother gave me many years ago, and I always feel its power when wearing it.

When you find yourself in a stressful or adversarial situation, simply lift your Garnet stones or touch your Garnet jewelry, and focus on embodying Garnet’s energies of leadership, protection, and connection.

The third of the Avnei HaHoshen that I strongly recommend keeping at work is Citrine. 

Citrine is a yellow quartz. Like Amethyst, its colour ranges from pale to dark – in the case of Citrine, from a pale yellow to deep golden colour reminiscent of amber.

Citrine is an excellent office stone for many reasons. Here are a couple of them:

• Citrine is a stone of success. Gila teaches how it also strengthens intuition and helps you find the correct perspective in various situations.

• Through the lens of the Chakra system, Citrine is associated with your solar plexus chakra, which is the seat of confidence, emotional presence, and personal magnetism. Keeping Citrine crystals nearby helps you ground and strengthen these energies.

• In Feng Shui, Citrine is used to attract wealth, success, and abundance, particularly financial abundance. According to Feng Shui, placing Citrine in the wealth corner of a home or office (the far-left corner when standing at the entrance) enhances prosperity.

For all of these reasons and more it’s great to keep Citrine close to you at work. For many years I had one sitting on the corner of my desk, and to this day I keep a collection of small Citrine crystals beside my Bach Flower remedies to help support the energetic flow of abundance in this area (one of the areas closest to my heart!).

Another effective way of integrating Avnei HaHoshen and crystals into your life is through body work. When you come for an Access Bars or Healing session with me, you’re welcome to let me know that you’d like to include them in your session. Doing this helps you integrate their energies in a calming, grounding way.

And of course – there is always studying with Gila! Another reminder about her upcoming course. Once again, here is the link to sign up.

May your day be filled with the strength and healing embodied in the Avnei HaHoshen!

~ Sat-Sung ❤️ (and Gila!)

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