I am a firm believer that the best way to learn about something, is to IMMERSE yourself in the deepest end of it. Reading and reading and reading and reading and... about it just won't give you enough experience until you have felt/touched, smelled, tasted, seen and experienced it.
On the subject of crystals and minerals: we went driving around the Hartebeespoort dam on Sunday and stopped at the Rock Shop. The minute I approaced the stairs I had that oh so familiar buzz, freaky weakness and slightly floating sensation that is just SO indicative of much vibration. Whooziness, a dull throb on my third eye and a slight nauseating sensation that is almost as if my blood sugar is about to drop and a buzz in my stomach also comes around. I love going into shops with lots and lots of minerals, because I always feel a little calibrated afterwards! 