Humans have long been fascinated by shiny objects. For hundreds of thousands of years, people have collected and admired glittering items such as crystals, sometimes keeping them as good-luck charms, spiritual objects, investments, or jewelry. A recent study suggests that this attraction may not be uniquely human, as our primate relatives may share a similar fascination.
Researchers observing chimpanzees at a rehabilitation center near Madrid discovered that the animals were strongly attracted to crystals. The chimpanzees frequently grabbed the shiny objects immediately and were often unwilling to give them back. The study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, examined whether humans’ attraction to sparkling minerals might also exist in other primates.
The research was led by crystallographer Juan Manuel García‑Ruiz of the Donostia International Physics Center. Archaeological discoveries show that early human ancestors collected quartz crystals as far back as 700,000 years ago, even though there is little evidence that they used them as tools or decorations. This raised the question of whether the appeal of crystals might be instinctive rather than purely cultural.
Chimpanzees and Their Love of Crystals
To test the idea, researchers placed large quartz crystals on pedestals next to ordinary sandstone rocks. When the chimpanzees encountered the objects, they overwhelmingly chose the crystals. In one group, an alpha female named Manuela quickly took all the crystals from the display. Another chimp named Yvan carried a heavy quartz crystal around the enclosure while climbing and eating, constantly shifting it between his hands and feet but refusing to let go.
In another enclosure, the experiment took an unexpected turn when a chimp named Sandy grabbed both the crystal and the sandstone and ran off with them to the chimp dormitory. Because caretakers rarely enter that area, retrieving the objects turned into a humorous situation that required some negotiation using bananas and yogurt as incentives.
Recognizing the Sparkle
In a separate test, researchers scattered piles of pebbles that contained small crystals mixed among ordinary stones. The chimpanzees repeatedly selected the crystals from the piles. Some held them up to the light, examining their reflective surfaces before placing them back in their hands or carrying them away to their nests.
Scientists are still uncertain why chimpanzees are drawn to crystals. One theory is that the animals are intrigued by the transparency and reflective qualities of quartz. These same visual features may have attracted early humans thousands of years ago.
Although the behavior is not yet fully understood, the experiments suggest that the appeal of shiny minerals may run deeper in primate psychology than previously thought. The findings hint that our fascination with glittering objects could have ancient evolutionary roots shared with our closest animal relatives.
