After working as a designer for 13 years, Vânia Duarte found an even bigger passion within her – she is now 35 and dedicates herself full-time to her work as a Yoga teacher and to her beautiful brand Surya, which seeks to bring clarity to the world of minerals by offering high-quality crystals.
She defines herself as an intense, indecisive person who at the same time is very thoughtful in the decisions she makes.
The world of crystals appeared at a time in Vânia’s life when she felt lost.
She had lived for more than 15 years with eating disorders and entering her thirties decided it was time to stop living like that.
She set out on a deep healing process with the help of doctors and therapists, but what really felt like an awakening was a book she read by António Duncan: O Caminho das Pedras (The Way of Stones).
She immersed herself in the world of minerals and learned about the physical, chemical and energetic characteristics and benefits of each crystal.
Her brand Surya was born from a need to fill a gap in most standardised information about the world of minerals, creating an online store where people feel at home even when buying from a distance, and where they can find lots of details and information to help them.
[LEMON]: How can we choose the best crystal for us?
[V.D.]: There are two methods I like to use. In the first, the person has a specific need and knows what they want to work on, but doesn’t know what the best crystal to choose is. There are different crystals with different energies for different needs. For example: if someone is looking for protection but is too sensitive to dense energy, most people would probably suggest Black Tourmaline, which is the strongest protection stone. But I might suggest a blue kyanite or hematite, which are more lightweight in terms of energy frequency and also provide good protection.
The other way I work is with intuition, and that is undoubtedly the way I like the most. Often people come to me thinking about a particular crystal and I tell them to go to the website, open their hearts and mind, and scroll through the images without opening the descriptions. In most cases they end up choosing exactly what they need.
I deeply believe crystals choose us, depending on the energetic vibration we need to work on at the moment.
[LEMON]: Can you talk more about crystals and their purposes, characteristics and benefits?
[V.D]: There are so many we could speak about this for a lifetime.
But here are some of the best known:
Black Tourmaline: Known for being the strongest protection crystal, it has a capacity to conduct energy and if we heat its two poles, it will function like a magnet and attract metal, for example. It is an excellent blocker of electromagnetic energy and therefore perfect for keeping near mobile phones, routers and other devices.
Carnelian: A crystal from the agate family that varies between fire red and orange. It is semi-translucent and has a very warm and creative energy. It is regularly associated with the sacred chakra as it enhances the power of creation and sexuality.
Citrine: A light yellow crystal and one of the most widely counterfeited in the world. In fact, most citrine crystals for sale are heated amethysts and that is why they appear with very intense yellows, sometimes already moving into orange. This is because natural citrine is expensive and difficult to find. This crystal is wonderful for people who feel low and unmotivated. It is a happy crystal with a revitalising energy. I often say it is impossible to be sad with a citrine because it transports us to a place where everything is possible.
Blue Kyanite: Known as the sword of Saint Michael, this crystal has a very special connection to the angelic kingdom and has the ability to clean itself. Many people prefer this crystal for protection because it is softer than black crystals. Personally, it is one of my favourite crystals as it greatly enhances communication. For those who have jobs where their voice is their main tool it is an excellent companion.
Crystal Quartz: One of the most abundant crystals in the world and one of the most fantastic. Many people find it a very basic crystal because it is well known, but for me it is and always will be one of the strongest and most powerful. Quartz has the ability to move energy and for this reason it is present in everyday objects such as watches and electronic devices. Another of its functions is to store information and that’s why it’s one of the most suitable crystals for manifesting intentions for those who work with co-creation. Marcel Vogel, a scientist who dedicated himself to the study of minerals, realised this capacity of quartz to store information and developed one of the crystals that is most loved by the community of crystal-therapists worldwide: the Vogel wand. Quartz also has the ability to expand the energy of other crystals, so it is always a wonderful choice to have one quartz crystal in conjunction with another.
Labradorite: One of the most mystical crystals and that most people love for its fascinating sparkles. The truth is that it is impossible to remain indifferent to the beauty of this mineral. For those who work with other people’s energy, Labradorite is an excellent protection stone. In addition, it helps us understand dreams and deepens psychic skills.
Legend has it that the Northern Lights were trapped within rocks along the coast of Labrador in Canada, until one day a warrior arrived and hit the rock with his spear. This released the majestic colours into the sky, but part of the energy remained in the rocks and from there the labradorite was born. Labradorite is said to contain the “frozen fire” of the Northern Lights, giving it the characteristic blue and green glow.
[LEMON]: Is the place where we store our crystals important? Are some crystals better for the bedroom, or for the living-room…?
[V.D.]: Yes. In fact, I always say that more than having a large quantity of crystals, we need crystals placed in our space with forethought, be it at home or at work. If we understand that everything is energy, we don’t want a lot of crystals sitting idle and without proper use. That way they just generate stagnation in our environment.
As a rule, it’s important to assess our house and what the person wants with the space, but in general I always argue that the bedroom should be as energy-free as possible and that we should keep crystals to a minimum in this part of the house. That said, rose quartz stimulates the energy of love, and howlite or lepidolite can enhance a restful night’s sleep, so these are always a good choice.
Then you should have a good druze quartz in the area where you spend most time at home to move energy. A black tourmaline or hematite at the door to repel dense energy, or a pyrite close to the workplace to boost business expansion are always a good idea. In the kitchen I really like to work with green crystals that stimulate health, bringing more care when we prepare our meals.
[LEMON]: Crystals and beauty care. Can you tell us a bit about this new trend?
[V.D.]: Actually, it’s not a new trend. Queen Cleopatra was well known for liking to use rose quartz in her beauty rituals, whether passed along her face (hence those rose quartz facial rollers or jade for the skin), or as a powder.
Regarding beauty care with crystals, when we put a rose quartz in the cold for 15 minutes and then rub it on our face, we are giving our skin some firming energy. It’s a kind of self-massage ritual that allows us to connect and take care of ourselves.
[LEMON]: What are the best complements for crystals?
[V.D.]: 100% natural incense for those who enjoy it is a good way to clean crystals and envelope them in sacred aromas such as sandalwood, myrrh or frankincense. Wooden boxes are a good idea to store the crystals we are not currently using, as wood is a good insulator and therefore prevents external energies from impacting the crystals after they are cleaned. Selenite bases for crystals we use a lot are a good way to keep their energy balanced, placing them over a base on our worktable, for example. Bracelets and necklaces that allow us to bring crystals into contact with our skin can be good too.
Bath salts allow us to have a good time while doing self-care. A bath of pink Himalaya salt, rose petals and two rose quartz with a lighted candle works miracles for our energy. There is a world of possible ways to bring crystals into our lives.
[LEMON]: And how should we keep our crystals clean?
[V.D.]: There are many different ways to do this and there’s a lot of different information out there, but my favourite is undoubtedly cleaning them with soil. I know that most people say you should clean crystals with salt and water, but I have two reasons why that it is probably the least recommended way of cleaning them.
Probably the biggest reason why I do not recommend cleaning in water is the fact that many crystals just shouldn’t get wet. Either because they oxidise, because they are plaster-based and break up over time, or because they become toxic in contact with water. Since most people have no idea of the chemical composition of their crystal, there is a risk of damaging it or even having an adverse reaction due to the crystal being in the water.
You can place crystals in a garden or in a vase with plants and let it sit for a few days. For those who prefer a more practical method, there is always selenite, which helps make the cleaning of the crystals simpler.
For Vânia, Surya is more than just a brand—it’s a reflection of her own journey of healing, transformation, and self-discovery. What started as a personal awakening has grown into a mission to help others find clarity, balance, and connection through the power of crystals. With each carefully selected mineral, she hopes to bring not only beauty but also a sense of purpose and well-being to those who seek it. As she continues to evolve, both personally and professionally, Vânia remains dedicated to sharing her knowledge and passion, proving that true healing begins from within. ✨
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