Paper short abstract:

The aim of my presentation is to understand the practice through human-object relationship, materiality, and everyday life. By follow perspectives of material culture studies and vernacular religion, the significance of gems is more about everyday life and personhood than religion.

Paper long abstract:

Wearing crystal gemstones is a widespread practice in contemporary New Spirituality in Estonia and elsewhere. People wear gems in a form of pendant, bracelet, necklace, earring, ring, jewelry or carry gems with them in a bag or a pocket. Often people wear crystals every day constantly.

The practice is part of the material religion of New Spirituality and it can be analyzed from the perspective of material culture studies. Followed by this perspective, I study the mutual relationship between humans and gemstones. Also, it is a practice of everyday religion and vernacular religion. My informants buy and wear gems to deal with personal issues and difficulties in everyday life by supporting their personalities and personal qualities. This is a process of objectification - gems develop and enrich a person and her/his capacities. Gems are biographical objects, that are interweaved with owner`s biography and personality. Also, gemstones have an agency, and gems and persons are entangled and mutually dependent in practice.

The physical and sensory experience of wearing gems mediates closeness and intimacy with gemstones. Gems need to be close to one`s body to have an effect. From the ontological perspective, meanings and concepts are identical to objects, and the aim is to think through things. Following this methodology, I have adopted an emic term 'my stone' that refers to singular gemstones my interviewees wore and had a deeply emotional and personal relationship with. For many of my informants, these gems are like the extension of the self.