Fascinated by crystals but unsure which subscription box to choose? With countless options, it can be overwhelming, and many of the best crystal subscription boxes are expensive and not tailored to individual needs. At least, that's how I felt when I started gathering my ideal crystal kit.
So, why not explore alternatives that offer you a more personalized and cost-effective experience? Think about visiting local shops, attending gem shows, or shopping online for individual crystals that truly resonate with you.
Read on for my top 10 resources to help you achieve your ideal crystal companion kit.
You might even find my free crystal information cards to help you on your way.
Table of Contents
Benefits Of Crystal Subscription Boxes Alternatives
Before I give you a full list of resources, let's first discuss the importance of having alternative ways to source your crystals:
- It saves you money! No monthly commitments.
- You can select the stones and crystals that truly call your name, not just those chosen for you.
- Support your local shops and gem shows, and give them some love!
- You pick the quality you desire, don't let others choose for you.
- Personalize to suit your needs and goals.
I'm sure others could find other reasons to skip the best crystal subscription boxes, like, you'll never find that special PRECIOUS stone until you hold it first in your hand. You know that feeling, we've all had it.😉
Personalized Selection
I feel as though personalization and cost-effectiveness are the number two reasons why I chose to build my collection of crystals. I truly enjoy touching and holding things before I pull the trigger, so I don't generally buy things online.
With that in mind, you can handpick the crystals that resonate most with you when you explore alternatives. The best crystal subscription boxes often come with pre-selected items, which might not always align with your personal energy or intention.
A few more points to consider for doing the personalized route:
- Unique finds: Often, you can find unique crystals not often found in subscription boxes. For example, Moldavite is hot right now, yet, much of it is fake. If you want one, buy directly from a local dealer or gem show.
- Customized energies: Choose crystals that cater to your specific needs, whether it's for healing, protection, or meditation.
- Align with your zodiac sign: Choose crystals for your zodiac sign, by picking out crystals that support your Sun, Moon and/or Rising signs.
Cost-Effective Choices
Subscription boxes can be a convenient way to get a variety of crystals, but they might not always be the most budget-friendly option, or what you need. When you shop around, you can control how much you spend and often find better deals.
When seeking new crystal friends, look for shop sales and the ability to buy in bulk, some dealers will do it! That's how I was able to build my crystal toolkit, one by one, but also I bought in bulk at a local crystal store looking to off-load their inventory.
Here are a few tips for cost-efficient crystal acquisitions, and more below too!
- Shop sales and discounts: Many crystal shops offer sales or discounts that you can take advantage of. Ask for a discount if it's not displayed on their website or brick-and-mortar.
- Buy in bulk: Purchasing crystals in bulk can reduce the cost per item compared to monthly subscriptions. Ask your local retailer or next time at a gem/rock show.
- Join your local Buy Nothing group: You'll be surprised what people give up for nothing. Crystals, leather jackets, musical instruments, brand-new appliances, and on and on. Post in your local group and ask for cast-offs.
In-Depth Learning
Exploring alternatives allows you to learn more about each crystal since you can take your time to research and understand their properties. Plus, many individual crystal purchases come with information cards that give you more insight into their uses and benefits.
Take this opportunity to grab my freebie now! 👇
Support Local and Small Businesses
By stepping away from popular subscription boxes, you have the opportunity to support local and small businesses who need our help to thrive, you know?
Shopping locally or from smaller online shops often means better quality and more unique crystal selections. Plus you get to build a more intimate relationship with your fave store. Win, win for all!
Tailored Rituals and Healing
Having the flexibility to choose your crystals means you can also tailor your rituals and healing practices more effectively. Subscription boxes might not align with your specific needs at all times, but selecting your own crystals allows for more personalized practices.
With the personalized route, you can create and build the perfect kit for:
- Custom rituals: Create rituals that are unique to your intentions and the specific energies you wish to harness.
- Targeted healing: Focus on healing specific areas by selecting crystals known for their particular properties.
Exploring alternatives to the best crystal subscription boxes can be a rewarding journey. It allows for greater personalization, cost savings, deeper learning, support for small businesses, and tailored rituals.
Whether you're in the market for unique pieces or looking to enhance your crystal knowledge, considering alternatives is always a beneficial choice.
Now, let's get to finding your next beautiful stone.
Top Alternatives to Popular Crystal Subscription Boxes
If you're interested in crystals but want to explore alternatives to crystal subscription boxes, there are many exciting options to consider.
Whether you prefer shopping online, visiting local stores, attending events, or even creating your own kits, we've got you covered!
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. This is at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
1. Buying Crystals Individually from Online Stores
Your options for sourcing crystals have quadrupled in the last 5 years, from being only available at a local store, to now you can source from small shops in India and beyond.
There are some amazing sources online, as well as some purely skeptical ones (tips on how to find quality crystals below), to help you buy your next special crystals.
Some of the best online crystal stores include:
- Mystical Moon: This store sells individual crystals across the entire color spectrum! You can shop by intention such as healing, romance, abundance, channeling, animals, and more. My fave is their chevron amethyst.
- Conscious Items: While not exclusively a crystal specimen online shop, this store is for crystal jewelry, crystal home accessories, and other types of non-specimen display or use crystals. My fave of theirs is the tiger eye tassel for your car. A perfect way to bring crystal magic into your vehicle.
- Buddha Karma: This is another great crystal jewelry store, plus crystals, mala beads, home decor, incense, and a few more magical items for your home. You can shop by function, which is super helpful for navigating their inventory. My fave is their jade necklace, perfect for adding a Venusian/money energy to your life.
- Etsy: Known for its unique and handmade items, Etsy has many sellers offering a wide range of crystals. My current faves are Structured Minerals and Oddball Minerals.
What to consider when purchasing quality crystals and mineral specimens:
- Cost: If it's super cheap and seems like it's too good to be true, then it's likely not true. Walk away. Quality and authentic crystals are not meant to be cheap.
- Read Reviews: Check what other customers have said about their purchases with that company. If there's none, then perhaps pause first. (Buddha Karma has over 1200 positive reviews, FYI)
- Learn About The Seller: Read the company's About page to learn about its values and how they operate. Always good insights here for legit businesses that understand the value of quality and authenticity.
- Look for Certifications: Some stores provide authenticity certificates for high-value or rare items.
- Examine Photos Carefully: Ensure the crystals look genuine and match the description. Keep in mind, that there's a growing trend of dyeing and spraying stones to make them seem like something else. If the colors are extreme like neon, then guess what, it might not be real.
In essence, you want a store owner who cares a lot about what they're selling and offering. Like Melissa of Oddball Minerals: 👇
I’ve tried to create the kind of shop that I, as a crystal/mineral enthusiast, look for— one with a wide variety of accurately labeled (both type and locale), completely natural rocks with pictures that fully represent how each one looks, including representing each rock’s size in every way that folks might need to truly understand it, as well as give them the ability to compare/contrast them when shopping.
Melissa of Oddball Minerals on Etsy
Crystals are energy carriers, you want good energy coming to you when you buy them. You know?
Now for a recap of what I just shared with you, the pro's and con's for buying your crystals online from individual sellers:
Pros:
- Wide variety and selection.
- Often cheaper than subscription boxes.
- Ability to choose specific crystals.
- Support small + indie sellers.
Cons:
- Not able to see the crystals in person.
- Potential for misinformation or fake crystals.
- Shipping times can vary.
2. Shop Facebook Marketplace For Deals
Facebook Marketplace is filled with crystal and stone collectors looking to sell off their collections due to moving, downsizing their collections, or just operating local pop-up stores.
Do a search for “crystals”, and you will find plenty of options. And remember, don't buy anything without first meeting up in person. Sadly, the marketplace has become filled with fraudulent sellers and poor quality/fake crystals.
Pros:
- Hold your potential crystal in hand before purchasing.
- Connect with your local community.
- Possible price negotiation.
Cons:
- Variety and supply vary greatly.
- Potential for misinformation or fake crystals.
- Shipping times can vary if the seller is not local.
3. Direct from Miners
Another option is to tap into the community of people who are digging up the earth to find these precious beings. For example, some miners offer their crystals directly to consumers through their websites or platforms like Instagram.
Do a search on Instagram for #mining, #crystals, or #miner to get the latest crystal visual inspiration in your feed. Like this one from Montana:
Pros
- Cost may be more negotiable if buying directly. Be respectful, though.
- Access to unique & rare specimens.
- Authenticity and identification directly from an expert.
Cons:
- Can't hold the item in hand.
- Supply may be limited due to its smaller-scale nature.
- Shipping times can vary if the seller is not local.
4. Local Craft and Farmer Market Events
If the weather and your location allow for local events, then check the listings and look for your local craft and farmers markets for possible crystal and stone sightings.
Depending on where you live, some farmer’s markets feature vendors who sell crystals and gemstones. Craft markets are also becoming more popular with crystal sellers.
These smaller markets are perfect for unique finds and the opportunity to build relationships with sellers.
Pros:
- Support your local community.
- Hold items in hand.
- Meet the seller in person, and ask questions.
- No shipping costs.
Cons:
- Low supplies.
- Smaller variety.
- Possible higher costs due to supply and demand.
5. Connect With Lapidary And Rockhounding Clubs
I've always said that there's a niche for every community out there, including lovers of rocks. Meet up with your local lapidary and rockhounding clubs to learn, swap, and trade with others.
To find your local club, do a search for “rockhounding clubs”, or “lapidary clubs”.
Pros:
- Support your local community.
- Hold items in hand.
- Meet experts in person, and ask questions.
- No shipping costs.
Cons:
- Supply and variety will differ by club.
- Your location may not have clubs to join.
- Possible fee to participate or join.
6. Local Crystal Shops and Metaphysical Stores
Visiting local crystal shops and metaphysical stores can be an adventure. These shops typically have knowledgeable staff who can guide you through your crystal journey.
You'll get to feel the crystals, see them up close, and choose the ones that resonate with you. Plus, it's a great way to support small businesses in your community.
Do a quick search on your Google Maps app for your local stone, minerals, crystals, metaphysics, yoga, or healing stores. Take a day trip and meet new people!
Pros:
- Ability to choose specific crystals and hold them!
- Support small + indie sellers.
- No shipping costs.
Cons:
- Selection may be limited.
- May be hard to find specialized stores near you.
- Prices may not always be the lowest.
7. Recycle and Reuse
I shared about shopping on Facebook Marketplace for crystals and stones and meeting up with sellers in person. Another way to purchase crystals in person is via re-sellers, someone who is letting go of their stash and needs to sell asap.
Keep these local opportunities in mind for deals on quality crystal and mineral specimens:
👉 Attend estate and yard sales for gems: I can't tell you how many times I have found quality crystals at local estate and yard sales. Take a Sunday off and hit your local sales!
👉Check your local antique, second-hand and thrift stores for crystals, stones, and mineral specimens. They show up all of the time!
👉Trade stones with your friends: You can't forget your friends as great resources to acquire a new stone. Swap, trade, or barter with your friends.
Pros:
- Prices may be lower.
- Unique pieces come up for sale.
- Recycle our vast & growing crystal supply.
- No shipping costs.
Cons:
- Selection may be limited.
- Hard to find specialized stores near you.
- Prices may not always be the lowest.
8. Crystal Fairs and Expos
Attending crystal fairs and expos is another excellent alternative. These events bring together vendors and enthusiasts, creating a vibrant atmosphere where you can find unique crystals.
It's a bit like a treasure hunt, where you can discover rare finds and connect with like-minded people.
Check local event listings for fairs near you, look for: Gem Shows, or Rock and Mineral Shows.
Pros:
- A wider selection of rare and unique crystals.
- Opportunity to negotiate the price directly with the seller (don't go overboard though!).
- Ability to choose specific crystals and hold them!
- Support small + indie sellers.
- No shipping costs.
Cons:
- Prices will vary from low to pricey.
- Access to fairs depends on their schedules, not yours.
- Some events have entry fees from a few bucks to $15 per day.
9. DIY Crystal Kits
Creating your own DIY crystal box kits can be a fun and cost-effective alternative to purchasing crystal box subscriptions. This option allows you to curate a custom kit tailored to your needs. You get to pick exactly what you want, and how you want to store them.
Tip: Browse Pinterest for boxes and containers inspo, as well as ideas for your next moon ritual tool.
This approach lets you build a crystal collection that truly resonates with your journey & your creativity.
Build your ideal kit with my crystal information cards; use the cards to help you select crystals, and study what you're buying.
Use my guide for the best crystals for manifesting with the zodiac for more ideas on what to use in your practice.
Pros:
- A creative option for gathering your crystals.
- You're in control of what goes in your kit.
- Cost-effective budget option.
Cons:
- You do the work of what to gather and include.
- Takes more time to find what you may like and want to buy.
10. Joining Crystal and Spiritual Communities
Joining crystal and spiritual communities, whether online or in person, can provide valuable insights and support as you navigate your newly found crystal love.
Online groups or local meetup groups offer a space to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others. It's a fantastic way to stay informed about new trends, buying tips, and crystal care.
And, these new relationships will likely lead to new acquisitions for you, whether you're buying from friends directly, or your friends sharing new tips with you. A win-win for all involved!
Pros:
- Connect with new people.
- Learn from local enthusiasts.
- Support a new friend.
- Recycle the supply.
Cons:
- Selection may be limited.
- Prices may not always be the lowest.
- Shipping costs vary.
And with that, I invite you to join our Facebook group to meet other crystal and woo woo lovers. Let's grow together on this journey we call life. 😍👇
You're invited! Let's continue the conversation…
Exploring these alternatives allows you to enjoy the benefits of crystals without being tied to a subscription box. Whether you're buying online, visiting local shops, attending events, creating your kits, or joining communities, there's a world of opportunities to discover and enhance your crystal journey.
Do you have any favorite crystal box alternatives to share? Drop them in the comments below so we can all learn about it!
This is an AMAZING resource, Carolina!! Thank you!
Thank you Heather! I really enjoyed coming up with this list 🙂