Singing bowls are most commonly made of quartz crystal. However, you can find versions of the crystal bowl that have gemstones and precious metals added to change the characteristics of the crystal healing. These derivations include citrine, ruby and amethyst singing bowls.
You use a singing bowl by first striking its outside with a special mallet or wand while holding the bowl in your hand. This produces the initial sound. You then encircle the bowl with the mallet to continue the sounding, or singing.
Singing bowls usually come as part of a set, though, you can sometimes purchase them separately. Each size bowl produces a different note and is associated with a different color. Because of this, each bowl is associated with a different chakra.
According to singing bowl practitioners, the C note is related to the root chakra and the color red. The D note and the color orange affect the sacral chakra. The E note and the color yellow impact the solar plexus, while the F note and the color green impact the heart. The G note is related to the throat chakra and the color blue. The A note and indigo affect the third eye, which is the psychic energy center that sits between your brows on your forehead. The B note and violet affect the crown chakra.
Because crystal can shatter at certain vibrational frequencies, place your bowls at least 12 inches apart while they are sounding. Also be aware that multiple bowls sounding in a small room may cause one or more bowls to shatter.