April 25, 2024 - by Shakti

Tibetan and Crystal singing bowls are popular for sound baths, healing, meditation, and relaxation. In this blog, we will explore the unique qualities and benefits of each and some of the differences.

Tibetan Singing Bowls Overview

Tibetan singing bowls have been used for centuries in many Asian cultures as meditation support tools and early forms of sound healing. Cultures such as the native Tibetans, called Bon-Po (People of the Bon), Nepal, India, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam all used some form of singing bowl. Traditional Himalayan bowls were hand-hammered, creating a unique sound rich in overtones and harmonics. They were introduced to the West in the early 70s.1

Most research concludes that Tibetan bowls were traditionally made of a bell metal bronze alloy, primarily copper and tin. Despite the hype that authentic Tibetan bowls were made of a 7-metal alloy, we have only found one factory in 27 years that could furnish an analysis showing 7-metal content (see my blog Seven Metals Contemporary Singing Bowls). Analyses of the metallurgical composition of Tibetan bowls vary ² but typically include roughly 80% copper and 20% tin. Most analyses find trace elements of Lead (never drink from a singing bowl, please!) Zinc, Iron, Gold, Silver, and Mercury. Analyses may also vary depending on the impurities present in the alloy and the sensitivity of the instruments performing the analysis.

It is possible to isolate up to three frequencies in larger and some medium Tibetan bowls, and two frequencies in most medium and smaller ones. For more information on playing techniques, please see How to Play a Singing Bowl. Tibetan bowls have an enormous range of frequencies, from the mid-first octave to high in the sixth octave. We have occasionally heard an overtone harmonic in the 7th octave.

Crystal Singing Bowls Overview

Crystal singing bowls were invented in the late 1960s as electronics manufacturing transitioned from tubes to circuits. Companies like Siemens and GE used frosted crystal bowls to manufacture silicon ingots to produce microchips and solar cells.

Legend has it that a worker named Abraham discovered the tones these bowls created when he played them with a rubber doorstop. When people heard their sound, they started rescuing rejects from the dumpsters, and an industry was born! In the 90’s, Crystal Tones created the Alchemy bowl for the sole purpose of sound therapy, introducing different minerals and gemstones in the sound wave.

Crystal bowls are made of pure Quartz crystal silica sand, heated to high temperatures (2000 – 3,000° F), and then molded into a bowl shape. Like Tibetan bowls, their size and thickness are dominant factors that determine their frequencies. For example, frosted crystal bowls of thicker construction will have a higher pitch and volume. A clear bowl will produce a lower pitch than a frosted bowl of the same size. Crystal bowls only have a single frequency that can be isolated, but they are easy to play and require a minimal learning curve.

Therapeutic Effects of the Sound

The most important difference between Tibetan and Crystal singing bowls is their sound. One of the unique characteristics of Tibetan singing bowls is that they produce complex sound waves that, when heard binaurally, create a “Frequency Following Response” in the brain’s auditory processing centers, entraining the brainwaves from Beta to Alpha, Theta, and often Delta.³

Studies have shown that Tibetan bowl sound waves also create a balancing left/right brain synchronization. Most Tibetan sound bowls produce a fundamental frequency and a first and sometimes second overtone, creating a flatted fifth interval with subharmonics layered in between. Some Tibetan bowls will have perfect fourth or fifth intervals, but those are relatively rare. Thicker and smaller bowls sometimes produce a single, fundamental tone.

Crystal bowls produce a more focused tone with roughly an octave harmonic and a third or fourth interval, depending on the bowl. Crystal singing bowls’ frequencies range from the lower third to the fifth octave. Some experience the simpler interval of a crystal bowl as a “purer” tone. As a rule, a crystal bowl does not produce binaural beat frequencies.

Tibetan Singing Bowl Benefits

Tibetan singing bowls have proven therapeutic properties. Their binaural beat frequencies induce the Alpha brainwave patterns, the state of deep relaxation from which meditation naturally arises. Science has documented that deep relaxation helps to counter the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. The bowls’ vibrations stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and enhance a sense of spiritual well-being. Their vibrations massage us at a cellular level. Physiological effects included lowering blood pressure, and there have been some cases of reduction of physical pain.⁴

Crystal Singing Bowl Benefits

Crystal singing bowls also have unique healing properties. Because quartz crystal is a naturally occurring mineral, it has a vibrational frequency which is said to add healing benefits to the sound wave. As with Tibetan bowls, the vibrations of crystal bowls also produce the health benefits of a deep relaxation response.

Accuracy of Tone

In terms of accuracy of tone, you cannot make generalizations comparing the Tibetan and Crystal bowls. In both industries, some vendors are more honest than others about the proximity of their bowls to concert pitches. Each Tibetan singing bowl is uniquely hand-hammered in random tunings. So, if you’re looking for Tibetan bowls of any specific frequencies, you will most likely need a trusted expert to curate them for you. Or download a spectrum analyzer app and meter the sound file yourself before you buy. We like Sonic Tools or Black Cat Systems, but there are many others.

Note: on most spectrum analyzers, it’s necessary to isolate the tone to get an accurate reading. Similarly, although the manufacturing techniques are vastly different, not all crystal singing bowls are concert pitch or even close. If you are looking for specific frequencies, try to obtain sound files before buying; if no sound file is available, make sure there is an acceptable return policy.

That said, neither Tibetan nor crystal sound bowls need to be concert pitch, 432 Hz. or any specific pitch to have therapeutic value. It is much more important for the bowl to have excellent internal tuning and for the bowls in a set to be in tune with each other.

Volume

Although Tibetan bowls can have extremely loud rim tones, the fundamental tones of crystal bowls are inherently louder than Tibetan bowls. This may be partly because the kinetic energy of rubbing and striking a crystal bowl goes into producing a single, dominant tone rather than being dispersed between the multiple layers of frequencies of Tibetan bowls. It’s widely acknowledged the two types of bows have different applications. The volume of crystal bowls can benefit those who want more sound projection in settings where they’re playing without amplification. Tibetan bowls are considered more beneficial for close-up therapeutic work, as their volume is more subtle and less overpowering than crystal bowls.

Historical Significance

Another difference between Tibetan and Crystal bowls is the cultural and historical context of the two types. Tibetan singing bowls have been used for centuries in Tibetan culture and are steeped in tradition and ritual. For background on how Tibetan bowls were used in the Gelgpka tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, please take a look at the History of Tibetan Singing Bowls. A crystal singing bowl does not have the same cultural significance. From an energetic standpoint, some really want an antique bowl that has been used to create peace and healing for hundreds of years. Others are more comfortable not having a “pre-owned” bowl.

Why are Singing Bowls so Expensive?

Please forgive me for saying you get what you pay for. It’s true. Whether antique or contemporary, our singing bowls are all hand-hammered in the traditional way. You are paying for a handmade, completely unique instrument that will last a lifetime. Antiquity is an additional factor, of course. Excellent quality, authentic antiques of any kind are expensive. So, if the age of your bowl doesn’t matter to you, go with our contemporary Master-quality Tibetan bowls.

Finally, whether contemporary or antique, sound quality is the most important factor. Himalayan bowls are a massive industry, and factories put the emphasis on mass production to meet the demand of the billions of people who want them. So, the sound quality of most of the bowls produced today is awful. I go to Nepal once a year to comb through warehouses to find the bowls with best harmonic quality for our collection. That’s expensive to do and it takes time, so it’s an investment for us. In addition, multiple times a year we select bowls via sound file or streaming meetings with our suppliers. We don’t have the economy of scale of buying thousands of kilos and shipping them by container.

As a result of buying comparatively fewer bowls than our competitors, we pay more for them and pass the pricing along to you as necessary. Our contemporary Master-quality® singing bowls range from roughly $100 – $3,500. Our authentic antique singing bowls can range from $350 – $4,000 or more, depending on the age and rarity of the bowls.

Although there is no such thing as an authentic crystal bowl, clearly, the same principle regarding quality is true. Mass produced frosted bowls are going to be much cheaper. A premier manufacturer such as Crystal Tones will charge more for their higher-end Alchemy bowls due to artistry, knowledge and quality, but also because it costs more to produce things in the US in general. The important thing is getting the best quality for your budget.

Durability

Bronze bowls last hundreds of years. Even most bronze bowls with serious cracks and holes can still produce beautiful sound as long as the crack or hole is located in the basin or lower wall. It’s hard to break a Tibetan bowl with normal use. I’ve seen an antique bowl fly seven feet and hit a gymnasium floor with no damage at all! (Don’t do that. It was a freak accident.) Hint – if you’re travelling with one in your carryon luggage, put it under your seat. If you put it overhead and someone slams a 30 lb. carryon into it, you may get a broken bowl. In all the time we’ve been in business, we only know a handful of customers who have broken their bowls.

On the other hand, crystal bowls can be fragile and break even if played too loud! Crystal Tones will repair Alchemy Crystal singing bowls® for a price. It is harder to find welders who know how to repair Tibetan bowls, but they’re out there. Unfortunately, the look of your Tibetan bowl will be forever altered, and we can’t vouch for the sound, either.

Portability

Depending on the size, bronze bowls are heavier, but they can nest, and as a rule are smaller than crystal bowls, taking up less room. Unlike Tibetan bowl sellers, most crystal bowl dealers provide carrying cases for crystal bowls for safer transport. There are some sellers who give carrying cases for smaller Tibetan bowls, but these are cheaply made, and they might not be able to handle the weight of heavier Tibetan bowls. Tibetan bowls are easier to ship long distances than crystal bowls, which require double boxing.

Final Thoughts

Tibetan and crystal singing bowls can be valuable meditation, relaxation, and sound healing tools. While they have different qualities and characteristics, your choice ultimately comes down to what resonates with you. You may prefer the rich, complex sound of Tibetan singing bowls, or you may prefer the clarity of crystal singing bowls. Try to attend sound baths where are both are used and feel the effects in your body. Regardless of which type you choose, both can effectively promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.

¹ Wikipedia

² *Concordia University, Quebec, Canada 1996

³ Dr. Geoffrey Thompson, The Center for Neuroacoustic Research 2002

⁴ Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study, 2016