Curiosity

Curiosity Corner: Why Are We Fascinated by the Unknown? Have you ever heard a strange story and immediately wanted to know more? Maybe it was a ghost story, an unexplained photograph, an ancient legend, or simply something that didn't seem to have an easy explanation. There may be more to that feeling than we realize. Curiosity is more than simply wanting information. Our brains are designed to seek information, recognize patterns, learn from surprises, and discover what happens next. And interestingly, there may be different ways we experience curiosity.

Two Kinds of Curiosity
Researches often describe two forms of curiosity. Interest-type curiosity and Depreivation-Type curiosity. Interest-type curiosity is driven by the enjoyment of discovering something new. You aren't necessarily bothered by not knowing the answer—you simply enjoy exploring the question. It's the feeling of: “That's fascinating. I wonder what else I can learn about this.” You might spend an afternoon reading about mythology, exploring an old mystery, learning about crystals, or watching a documentary simply because you enjoy discovering something new. Deprivation-type curiosity is a little different. Here, not knowing creates a sense of tension or frustration, and finding the answer becomes a way to reduce that uncomfortable feeling. It's more like: “I need to know what happened!” Think about a mystery novel that ends a chapter with a major unanswered question. You might tell yourself you'll read just one more page—but suddenly it's midnight because you need to find out what happens.

Curiosity and the Unknown
Research has also found an interesting relationship between these two forms of curiosity and our tolerance for ambiguity—our ability to remain comfortable when something is uncertain or doesn't have a clear answer.
People who score higher in interest-type curiosity tend to have a greater tolerance for ambiguity. They can enjoy the mystery itself without needing an immediate answer.
Those who score higher in deprivation-type curiosity tend to have a lower tolerance for ambiguity. The unanswered question can create more tension, making the search for an answer especially compelling.
Neither type is necessarily better than the other. They simply represent different ways our minds can respond to the unknown.
And Then There's the Brain...One of the brain regions involved in motivation, reward, learning, and habit formation is the striatum, located deep within the brain.
The striatum is part of a larger network that helps us evaluate experiences and determine what is worth pursuing or repeating. When something is novel, surprising, mysterious, or potentially rewarding, these systems can become engaged as we seek information and try to make sense of what we've encountered. In very simple terms, the brain can turn:
“I wonder what that is…” into: “I want to find out.”
And that may help explain our enduring fascination with ghost stories, folklore, strange phenomena, archaeological mysteries, and the unexplained. Some of us enjoy the journey of discovery, some of us desperately want the answer, and many of us are a little bit of both.

Your Curiosity Companions
​Since curiosity can take different forms, we thought it would be fun to pair each type with a gem that reflects its energy.
Deprivation-Type Curiosity
Dumortierite — The Patience Stone
When not knowing creates frustration or tension, Dumortierite makes a thoughtful companion. It is traditionally associated in crystal practices with patience, calm, stress relief, and inner peace. Rather than helping you solve the mystery, think of it as a reminder to slow down and allow an answer to unfold in its own time.
Try this:
Hold your Dumortierite and take a few slow breaths. Instead of asking: “How can I find the answer?” ask yourself: “Can I be comfortable with the question for a little while?” Sometimes the best investigation begins when we stop rushing toward the conclusion.
Interest-Type Curiosity
​Crazy Lace Agate — The Exploration Stone
When curiosity comes from the simple enjoyment of discovering something new, Crazy Lace Agate makes an intriguing companion. Its intricate patterns offer a wonderful visual reminder that there can be more than one way to look at something. Use it as a reminder to explore, notice patterns, consider different perspectives, and remain open to what you might discover. Try this: Look closely at your Crazy Lace Agate. Follow one of its patterns and notice where it leads your eye. Then ask yourself: “What else might I discover if I look at this differently?” You may be surprised by what you notice when you stop looking for one particular answer.

Curiosity Is Where Investigation Begins. At Charmed in Company, we believe curiosity is worth following—whether it leads you into history, mythology, nature, crystals, folklore, or the mysterious cases found in the Professor Nicodemus Paranormal Archive. Because every investigation begins with a question.
What happened? Why did it happen? Could there be another explanation?
And sometimes, the most interesting part isn't finding the answer. It's being curious enough to look. So the next time something makes you stop and think, “I wonder…”—follow the question. You never know where it might lead.