The box holds sandalwood-scented incense sticks hand-rolled in India, with a separate piece of smoky quartz beside them. Its scent is warm and creamy, and the stone is a translucent brownish grey. If you like woody scents, this pairing is for you.
Creamy, woody sandalwood
Sandalwood smells smooth, warm and woody, with a creamy edge. In India it has been burned for centuries in temples and on home altars, and many people light it before meditation. It is woodier and quieter than floral or vanilla incense.
The Banjara crystal incense line has twelve variations, each with its own scent and stone. Sandalwood is paired with smoky quartz.
Quartz the colour of smoke
Smoky quartz is the brownish-grey, translucent form of quartz. Hold it up to the light and it looks as if smoke were drifting inside, which is how it got its name.
People who work with crystals see it as a protective stone, one many pick up at the end of a hard day. Many keep it on a desk or a bedside table, and it stays there once the sticks are gone. Strong, direct sun can fade its colour over time, so a shadier spot is best.
Before you light it
Have a heat-resistant incense holder ready and stand it on a stable, non-flammable surface. Light the tip, blow out the flame and let it smoulder slowly. Stay in the room while it burns and air it afterwards.
If you finish early, press the glowing end into sand or ash. Keep the smoke away from children and pets. The decorative box also makes it easy to give as a present, with the stone included.