There are two categories of crystal singing bowls available, the Classic Frosted Singing Bowl and the Alchemy Singing Bowl. There are some important differences.

Size

The classic frosted singing bowls are available from 7″ – 24″ in diameter. There is no 15″ or 20″ frosted singing bowl because for whatever reason, they do not play well.

The alchemy singing bowls come in the 6″ – 12″ ranges. There are some exceptions where larger bowls are available but these are rare.

Weight

The smaller classic frosted could weigh more than the larger alchemy. This is because the frosteds have a different manufacturing process and the wall of the classic frosted is generally twice a thick as the alchemy. Keep this in mind if you plan on traveling, especially with several bowls.

Quality

Both the classic frosted and alchemy are made with high quality quartz crystal collected from places of high energy around the world. So which ever you select, you will have a great sounding bowl and very resonant sound healing and meditation experience.

The classic frosted singing bowls have a heavier, robust tone.	The alchemy singing bowls have a lighter, airier feel. (Rose Quartz shown above)

Play-ablity

Because the classic frosted are a thicker wall, it may take several circles around the rim before it starts to play. The alchemy will normally start to play in 1/2 to 1 full rotation of the mallet. I’ve noticed that the 6″ bowls may take 1 1/2 rotations.

Sound

Because the classic frosted singing bowls are a heavier and thicker bowl, they have a heavier sound. That’s not a bad thing, it is just different than the Alchemy which have a lighter, airier sound and feel to them. Explained a different way, if you play a 12″ bowl loud, it will start to vibrate the walls if the room is not too big. The alchemy singing bowls rarely cause a wall to vibrate.  The tones of the alchemy seem to slide along the walls of the room rather than bounce off them.

Healing

The healing and meditation qualities of either the classic frosted or alchemy are terrific. Ask anyone who has used them. In my opinion, the alchemy singing bowls provide for a better, more expansive and deeper meditation. I believe this is because of the lighter quality of the alchemy and the different gemstones, minerals and metal infused within them. I’ve also experienced it many times. In simple terms, when I am playing for someone or myself, I can spend 30 minutes with the classic frosted or 10 minutes with any of the alchemy bowls to reach a comfortable meditative state.

In my next post I will talk more about the alchemy and some special bowls which till now, have not been publicly promoted.

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