Etsy is one of my favorite places to buy crystals online. There are many wonderful shops on Etsy that I think you should check out.

I’ve written before about how to avoid getting screwed buying crystals online so you do need to be an ever-vigilant shopper online.

When I look for crystals on Etsy there are five things that I look for and do first before I buy anything there:

1. Natural Lighting - because I have been fooled once by photoshopping shenanigans on Etsy, I now look for listings that are taken in natural light. Natural light allows you to see the true color and unique formations of each crystal.

2. Reviews - I tend to look for shops with tons of 5-star reviews. Also, I read the reviews especially when I’m looking for a crystal that is not one of the run of the mill ones.

3. Comparison Shop - If I am unfamiliar with a crystal that I stumble upon in a shop, I then look for others on Etsy and online. Sometimes you find that the shop owner doesn’t actually know the correct name for what they are selling or they have inflated the price because they are marketing the crystal-based upon a trademarked name. For instance, Azeztulite is a trademarked name for Quartz that is from Vermont and North Carolina.

4. Misidentified/Fake Crystals - Some sellers are not crystal experts and misidentify their crystals. It can happen to the best of us. Sometimes you get a steal because they don’t know what they really have or you end up with something you didn’t want.

5. Dimensions - Find out the dimensions of the crystal. If there isn’t a reference object, like a person’s hand, then you need must find out or ask how big the specimen is. A lot of shops, for a reason I don’t understand, list the sizes in something other than inches, so be sure to take note and do a conversion. The last thing you want is to buy a crystal you think is huge and when it arrives it’s smaller than a penny.

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If you’re new to buying crystals online it still can be a hit and miss experience if you’re purchasing some of the more common crystals that are picked from a lot of other similar crystals.

The Intuitive Inventory Purchase

For instance, say you see a listing with multiple stones in the photo. It doesn’t mean you will get the crystal that’s in focus.

If you read the listing description, you will frequently see this: You will receive one intuitively chosen Picasso Jasper sphere. Which means they will pick a random crystal from their inventory.

This means if you’ve got your heart set on the one you see in the listing photo, you may be disappointed if you get one that doesn’t have the same markings or colors as shown in the photo.

Artificial Lighted Listings

Other times I am in the market for a specific mineral specimen where the photo may not be taken in natural light, but it is really well lit like this example of Shattuckite… and they have multiple photos for the specific crystal listing. Then I am more likely to feel safe purchasing. (BTW I would totally buy this one!)

Just make sure to look the image over to see if it seems to good to be true and it wouldn’t hurt to ask the seller to take a picture of the crystal outside so you can see it in natural sunlight.

Heat Treated Crystal Switcheroo

Also be on the lookout for irradiated crystals - ones that are not naturally heated up by the earth but heated up in someone’s “oven” to increase the saturation of color of the crystal. This happens with quartz whether someone heated up Amethyst to look like Citrine or they take a smoky quartz and make it practically black and opaque.

While it can be practically impossible to discern through a photo if a crystal has been irradiated, you can do some research at a site like Mindat on where the crystal is found in the World. Then look for other specimens from that region to see what crystal colorings are typical.

A bit of research can help you with figuring out if you’re getting a legit mineral that you’ve been looking for.

Charged/Blessed/Cleansed Crystals

If you’re having a hard time choosing between a clear quartz where one has been “Charged/Blessed/Cleansed” and another one that hasn’t - choose the one that is a better value. If you’re looking for a clear quartz you will want one that is practically water clear (not cloudy, unless you’re looking for Milky Quartz), doesn’t have a lot of damage, has some brilliance (sparkle) to it and if it has unique features to it.

You don’t need to buy one that someone has “Charged/Blessed/Cleansed” because most likely you’ll want to do that yourself and you don’t need to be a Shaman to do that.

My Top 10 Places To Buy Crystals on Etsy

adamsminerals - I shopped here for a couple specific minerals that I’ve have my eye on - Ajoite Shattuckite and Lazulite. This is not a woo-woo shop, but appears to be run by a rock hound. So if you’re looking for something a little bit different, check this guy out.

LucidMineralsLLC - I just stumbled upon them and they are on my list next to buy from. The item photos are clear, well lit and look to be a good value.

WonderCrystal - This shop has a lot of cut and polished stones that are gorgeous in terms of the stone’s quality.

SpiritCrystalCavern - Great looking crystals at great prices.

SpiritBodyBliss - Gorgeous looking necklaces, ring and of course crystals with great color and clarity.

CrystalGoddess888 - This shop has layaway and you might need it for some of the drool-worthy pieces there.

JodysEarthlyDelights - Tons of items for sale here that are priced well.

AURAMORE - Lots of good stuff and the smoky quartz in the shop is to die for!

TheRockTrader - Located in South Africa so count on a month before you get your items, but some of these specimens look to be very worth the wait!

ThrowinStones - Great shop for crystal carvings.

If you have a favorite place on Etsy where you buy crystals, let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for great small businesses to support as I indulge my crystal hoarding ways.