INSIDE: Worried about how to shop for crystals online? How can you be sure you aren't getting ripped off? Use these tips and guidelines to make it easy!

 

Are you looking to dive into the world of crystal healing and you're not sure where to begin?

This year has been a big adjustment for a lot of people. Walking into a local shop just isn’t the same anymore and many businesses are making the switch to online.

When we shop for crystals, we used to be able to just walk down the street to the local metaphysical store, and ask the owner for information.

Now with everything online, that process can be a bit intimidating. There are so many options to choose from. With just a click of a button we have access to any store we want without leaving the house.

But if you want to know how to buy crystals online, we'll help you out. We’ve put together an easy guide for crystal-curious beginners to shop online with ease and confidence.

Find out how to answer all the difficult questions that usually go unanswered.

In this guide we'll show you how to find reputable retailers, how to identify a scam, and everything else you’ll need to know before you start your journey to shop for crystals.

But First…

Before we get into the step-by-step process of how to shop for crystals, you’ll need to have some background information on what you’re looking for.

Crystals are naturally occurring rock formations that can be found all over the world. And with so many varieties and purposes, it can be tricky to figure out what exactly you should be looking for.

We can use crystals to identify, raise, and direct energies to a target source. Knowing how stones work is important in ensuring they're working properly and that you're getting the most use out of them.

We can compare crystals to a USB.

USB’s take on, store, and transfer information. Crystals do the same but with energy and vibrations.

Learning how to take care of your crystals is another important step. For example, some crystals like water, while others get rusty or dissolve in water.

Knowing how to care for your crystals will ensure they work to their fullest potential. Take a look at our crystal care guide for more info on that topic.

How to Shop for Crystals Online

Now that we’ve gone over some of the learning curves behind crystals, we can dive into how to buy crystals online.

Don’t Choose the Crystal, Let the Crystal Choose You

This first step is the selection process. Many healers will say you don’t choose the crystal, the crystal chooses you.

While this might be an easier process in a physical shop, the same can still be said for buying crystals online.

When you walk into a brick-and-mortar store and have a look around, you can use your intuition to guide you to the crystal your mind, body, and soul needs.

You can do the same online, but you need some direction since you're not limited to a certain store.

So before you start browsing the web, consider your intention. What are you trying to harness and manifest. Are you looking for any of the following?

• Positive Energy
• Stress Relief
• Wealth
• Confidence
• Happiness
• Motivation
• Weight Loss
• Protection
• Pain Relief
• Enhanced Intuition

Or are you looking for something else? 

Try typing in things like "crystals for depression" or "crystals for fertility" to narrow down your search. 

Follow Quality Online Crystal Shops & Healing Blogs

Sure, you can search on Google, but when you find an online crystal shop you like, why not start your search there.

And if those crystal shops have a quality blog, all the better.

Our Healing Stones Blog, for example, provides a wealth of information about crystals. We post articles every week to educate our audience on the wonderful world of crystals and how they can transform our lives.

Don’t Break the Bank, But Buy Quality

If you’re just starting your crystal exploration, there's no need to go into debt for your new crystal collection, but we don't suggest buying cheap crystals on Amazon.

Find a reputable online crystal shop that you trust. Read through their About page and see if they offer any information about how they source their crystals.

Here are some things to look for:

• Do they provide a Certificate of Authenticity? 
• Do they purchase their crystals right from a mine? 
• Do they have a grading system? 
• Do they provide information about what to look for when it comes to quality crystals?
• Have they earned any awards?
• Do they have 5 star reviews on their website?
• Do they offer a return policy?
• Do they show videos of each product in addition to photos?

(By the way, Cosmic Cuts can answer "yes" to all of those questions! Learn more about how to choose a geode you can trust here.

Look for wholesalers or honest retailers as opposed to life-style brands and celebrities. They charge a whole lot more for the same products just because of the name attached to it.

And remember, if you’re just starting out, you don’t need rare minerals to have a powerful experience. In fact these inexpensive gemstone collections are a great choice.

Be Aware

In the age of the internet, scams and counterfeits run wild. It’s very easy to fall victim to these schemes when you shop for crystals online, especially as a newbie.

Don’t let that scare you off. There are numerous ways to identify what’s legit and what isn’t.

First, let's talk about counterfeits. How can you spot a counterfeit when you shop for crystals without seeing the actual product? 

Start by checking out the description and details.

Aura-Treated

If the description says “aura-treated,” it means that the crystals have metal bonded to them during a high heat process that makes them pretty, but they don’t come out of the earth that way.

Glass or Quartz?

This can be tricky online, but if the picture is the mineral for sale, look for air bubbles. Air bubbles will indicate that it is glass and not a crystal.

Howlite or Fake Turquoise? 

If it’s cheap, it is most likely fake. People have been found to take Howlite and dye it turquoise color. It may be labeled  “genuine stone,” but it has been dyed.

Photo Quality

Photoshop is another thing to be aware of. Not everything is as it appears on the internet.

For example, Ruby in Kyanite in a lighter luster is rarer than the darker variances. If someone were to add a filter to lighten the crystal, they could charge more.

Check the details in their listing. Most wholesalers and retailers will include this in their description. If possible, ask the retailer to send a photo of the crystal in natural light, so you can accurately see the color.

Photos themselves might just not be of the highest quality, which can make Amethyst look darker than it actually is, for example. For best results, choose an online crystal shop that show high-quality photos.

Videos Are Better

Videos can make a huge difference. It's so much easier to see what the crystal is actually like compared to a photo.

Check out our YouTube channel to start seeing some crystals up close and personal (and we post a video on each product page as well so you can really see what you're buying). 

Bait & Switch

Bait and switch antics is another form of deception that occurs when online shopping. People will try to sell crystals online and post a few different images with different price points, but the description will have little to no detail.

This is a problem because chances are, you won’t actually get what was in the picture.

Overcharging

Lastly, overcharging can be an issue. For instance, if someone is selling blessed or charged crystals, what you have to consider is do you want someone else’s energies or not?

If you know who you’re buying from, it may be okay with you, but chances are you don’t and it is just a way for them to charge more.

Final Thoughts

Now you’re all set to take the plunge and start your crystal shopping spree. You’re familiar with the how to find a reputable seller and how to spot a fake.

All that's left is to do is place your order and start manifesting some good vibes and positive energies!

Start with Cosmic Cuts! Of course, we're biased, but we sure do strive to be the best online crystal shop on the internet!