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How to Easily Buy Geodes You Can Actually Trust

INSIDE: Finding authentic, quality geodes isn't always easy, and it can be difficult to know which crystal companies are reputable. With this guide, you'll be able to easily buy geodes you can trust, and you'll know how to determine Brazilian amethyst value.


It's easy to get confused when you set out to buy geodes.

Afterall, there are so many different options, and unless you understand amethyst value, you could end up with a low-quality geode that doesn't offer you the healing properties you desire.

How do you know you're getting your money's worth?

Which crystal companies are reputable?

What qualities should you be looking for that determine amethyst value?

We'll answer all of these questions and more in this article. Let's start with the main five things to look for when buying amethyst geodes:
  1. Darker colored amethyst
  2. Thin walls
  3. Well-formed and larger crystals
  4. Good symmetry (left and right side is like a mirror image if you draw a line up the center of the cathedral)
  5. Somewhat free of drill holes, cracks, and defects 

If you knew nothing else, these five qualities would help you quickly determine the value of your amethyst geode. Now, let's look deeper at what comprises amethyst value.

Quality Amethyst Geodes Online

What Should You Know About Brazilian Amethyst Value?

While there is no official grading system for geodes, there are several factors used to ensure that you are getting the highest value and the best quality when you buy geodes.

In most cases, it isn't possible to buy geodes that have all of the following qualities. Each geode will have varying ranges of each of these characteristics. When you are in the market for a geode, decide which properties are most important to you, and look for a geode that has the best quality in those areas.

Symmetry & Shape

Geodes are considered to be more valuable when the outside has good symmetry and a more elongated amethyst cathedral shape. Good symmetry is indicated by the left and right side being like a mirror image if you draw a line up the center of the cathedral. Geodes that are more bent over, round or square are considered to be less valuable.

Amethyst Value - Symmetrical Geode
Color

The value of amethyst geodes increases with the intensity of its purple color. This is because deeper colored amethyst has stronger healing properties and tends to be more eye-catching. The most valuable amethyst geodes contain a strong saturation of color, which is made possible by higher levels of iron in the silica (quartz).

Amethyst Value - Color
Two other color factors include zoning and saturation within each crystal point. When the color is somewhat even across the whole surface of the geode, the geode will be more valuable than one that has zones of darker purple and zones of lighter purple. In addition, an amethyst geode will be more valuable when the color saturates the whole crystal point, instead of just the tip. This is rare, however, and it is normal for the base of the point to be colorless.

Point Size

The size of each crystal point within the geode plays a large role in amethyst value as well. Large points are considered to be more valuable because they are rarer. They took thousands of years longer to form than smaller points in conditions that had to be just right.

Amethyst Value - Large Points
Weight to Dimension Proportion

Geodes that have thinner concrete walls and a smaller base are more valuable. As we explained in our article, An Astonishing Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Amethyst Cathedral, the outer walls and base of amethyst geodes are manmade and are concrete, which is very heavy. Since geodes are sold by weight, that added concrete increases the cost of the geode without providing any additional beauty or healing properties.

Repairs

Almost all geodes have had some type of repair done to them. It's part of the nature of the mining process, which you can learn more about here. In addition, there are often natural cracks that occur as part of the formation process. Value is driven up when these cracks and repairs are minimal and well hidden.

Rare Formations & Rims

In rare cases, amethyst geodes will contain calcite, golden goethite needles, or gypsum formations, or an agate rim. These things make the geode more unique and provide a beneficial combination of additional healing properties that increase its value.

Buy Geodes With Calcite Formation

What is the Cosmic Cuts Grading System?

At Cosmic Cuts, we purchase most of our amethyst geodes from Brazil, which has the largest supply of high-quality amethyst geodes in the world. You can learn more about the Brazilian amethyst mining process here.

When you purchase crystals directly from the mines in Brazil, you have to purchase a random lot of varying quality, which can range from excellent to poor quality and many levels in between.

That's why we buy geodes from a consolidator that regrades the geodes into twelve categories of quality. That system is labeled according to colors that match up to different levels of quality.

All of the geodes we sell have been hand-selected for quality, authenticity, and beauty. We only purchase our geodes in the top four categories, which are all high-quality geodes. Those categories are:

Red - Highest Quality

This category contains the highest quality geode you can buy. Geodes in this category have the best symmetry, the deepest saturation of color, bigger points, and the smallest repairs.

Blue - Excellent Quality

This category is the second highest quality level, and it will contain varying degrees of each of the quality characteristics. Some may have excellent symmetry and color saturation, but the points are a little smaller, for example. Others may have larger points, good color saturation, and a calcite formation but be slightly off in symmetry. Many other variations are possible.

Yellow - Very High Quality

This category is the third highest quality level, and it will contain varying degrees of each of the quality characteristics as well.

Green - High Quality

This category is the fourth highest quality level, and it will contain varying degrees of each of the quality characteristics as well.

Beyond these four levels, there are eight more categories that determine the lower qualities of geodes. At Cosmic Cuts, we never purchase geodes in those lower categories.

Learn about the difference between Brazilian and Uruguayan Amethyst here.

Amethyst and Citrine Geodes

What Are the Best Tips to Help You Buy Geodes Online?

These days, there are several online retailers that sell crystals and geodes. Not all of them offer the high quality you are seeking, however. Ask yourself the following questions before you buy geodes online to determine the value that company is offering.

Do they have a large selection of geodes?

A large selection of amethyst geodes demonstrates that the company specializes in selling geodes and therefore knows what they are offering. Online sellers who sell only a couple geodes probably lack the experience to choose quality specimens and to ship them carefully. Check out our ever-growing amethyst geode selection here.

Buy Geodes Large Selection at Cosmic Cuts
Do they provide professional photos from different angles?

Photos will tell you a lot when it comes to buying geodes. Companies without experience often use unprofessional photos that are dark and unclear. Darkly lit photos are misleading because they make the color saturation of the amethyst crystals look darker than they actually are.

The photos should be clear and well-lit, and there should be many different shots from different angles, so you really understand what you are buying. At Cosmic Cuts, we show a minimum of ten well-lit photos for each amethyst geode we sell.

Do they use a grading system to ensure they are selling top quality crystals and is it clearly stated on their website?

If the seller is purchasing directly from the mine in Brazil, they aren't able to choose the quality they want to purchase, and they will have a random selection of varying quality geodes. If they don't make it clear what you are getting, it will be difficult for you to choose a quality geode.

At Cosmic Cuts, we have a grading system that we've outlined in detail above in this article. We also use letters in our item numbers so you can easily determine the quality level of each of our geodes.

Do they have a Facebook page with a lot of followers?

Companies who have been selling geodes for a while and provide a reputable service tend to have a following on social media. Look into the company and see what kind of social media profile they have. Check out our Facebook page here and our Instagram page here.

Do they have good customer reviews?

A well established metaphysical store or online crystal seller should have several reviews that you can look at to determine how others view their products and customer service. You can view our customer reviews right on our Facebook page here.

Cosmic Cuts Customer Reviews

How much do they charge for shipping and do they ensure the package will arrive unharmed?

Shipping can be really expensive when it comes to large geodes since they are heavy and delicate. Crystal sellers without experience might not know how to ship their geodes so that they arrive in mint condition.

At Cosmic Cuts, every order over $35 gets free shipping! We want you to spend your money on the quality specimen you desire, not on the means to get it to you. We are also masters at shipping our geodes so that they arrive in mint condition.

What Sets Cosmic Cuts Apart?

Affordability & Free Shipping

When you buy geodes from Cosmic Cuts, you are actually getting them for less money than you would spend if you were to buy them directly from Brazil due to the discounted price we receive for purchasing so many at one time.

Plus, you would easily spend $200-$300 on shipping when you buy geodes from Brazil (and most other online sellers), whereas at Cosmic Cuts, all geodes over $35 are shipped for free!

Quality & Selection

Every crystal and mineral that is purchased from our website comes with a letter of authenticity. Our crystals are 100% natural and of the highest quality available, or we wouldn’t sell them!

Buy Geodes Large Selection
You won't find such a large selection of high-quality amethyst geodes elsewhere on the web. Others might have more geodes, but they have smaller points, low color saturation, or huge concrete walls. For those who do sell high-quality geodes, they typically offer a much smaller selection.

All of the geodes we offer on our website contain over 90% crystals with very thin walls of concrete. That means you aren't paying more money for heavy concrete, and are getting a more beautiful geode.

What about geode slices and amethyst clusters?

All of the amethyst geode slices and amethyst clusters we sell are in the red category (highest quality available).

Service & Packaging

We have built our reputation as a top-rated, award-winning mineral dealer by exceeding our customers’ expectations of quality, value, and service time and time again, and by consistently providing ease of access to the highest quality, rarest, and most precious mineral specimens the world has to offer. We offer sensible prices and take pride in providing an excellent customer experience.

We have years of experience handling large geodes, and we ensure that your crystal arrives in mint condition. We don't just put your geode in a box with some packing peanuts. All items are 100% insured and expertly packed in top quality shipping materials.

With this simple guide, you should now be able to buy geodes that are right for you. In the end, amethyst value is in the eye of the beholder. If you prefer a deeper color and are less concerned with the symmetry of the geode, then save some money on the symmetry and put your money into the saturation. If you love rare agate rims, go for that. Choose what is most important to you and look for a geode that has those qualities.

If you simply want a high-quality geode and you don't want to have to think about it too much, look for the letter in our item number. R stands for red, which means it is the highest quality geode you can buy. B (Blue) is the next category and is still excellent quality. Y (Yellow) is very high quality, and G (Green) will still offer you a high-quality geode while allowing you to save some money.

Amethyst geodes are one of nature's most beautiful and healing crystals. Now you know how to choose a high-quality geode that will transform your home and improve your life. And with our large selection of high-quality geodes, we've made it easy for you to buy geodes you can be proud of. Take a look at our geode selection here!

What Crystal is Best for Me Quiz

* Crystals and stones should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. This article may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclaimer notice here.

How to Buy Geodes You Can Trust

How to Easily Buy Geodes

Buy Geodes You Can Trust


Sources:

https://www.mindat.org/article.php/905/Amethyst+Specimens

2 comments

Danielle

Thanks for the overview, Faith

Michael Phillips

Hello, I’m just starting to look at amethyst geodes and am trying to understand the rating like say BB-20? Can you help me understand that. I’d hate to buy before understanding.

Cheers,
Mike

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