Finding crystals for electroforming is not an easy task, especially when you have no idea what you’re looking for. Yet, gemstones are one of the best things to electroform. First, because they are very popular these days, and also because they look really pretty in copper. In this post, I share the best places to buy crystals for electroforming and my best tips before buying.
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What are the best crystals for electroforming?
You can use many different crystals for electroforming, but some are more popular than others. Stones that don’t require any sealing such as Amethyst or Quartz are the best for beginners.
Moonstone and Labradorite are very popular in the crystal world – and also super pretty. If you’re new to crystals and electroforming, I’d recommend choosing stones that do well in the bath or that don’t require too much sealing.
I wrote an entire blog post on electroforming crystals, click here if you want to read it and learn more about the best crystals for electroforming.
See also: The ultimate guide to electroforming crystals
Where to buy crystals for electroforming
The most common place to buy crystals is obviously your local crystal shop, but if you don’t have one near you, you can definitely go online. You can also go to gem shows, where you’ll find a bunch of different crystals for good prices. And the best part is, you can actually touch and choose them.
Most of the time though, I buy my crystals online. My go-to place is Etsy. It’s a is a great platform to buy your crystals for electroforming. You can find sellers from around the world, and most crystals on there look genuine. Some sellers even offer wholesale prices if you want to buy in bulk. Below, you’ll find a list of some of the best shops to buy crystals for electroforming.
Raw and polished crystals
Most of the shops I mention below sell raw and polished crystals. You will find many different stones and hopefully something beautiful for your next electroforming project.
The Spirit Nectar: The Spirit Nectar is my all-time favorite crystal shop. In this shop, you’ll find ethical and fair trade crystals mostly from Madagascar. The Spirit Nectar has a huge range of different crystals and minerals, and some are perfect for electroforming. Whether you want points, palm stones, spheres, or raw crystals, you’ll find something for your next project in this shop. On top of that, Martina, the shop owner, also makes copper electroformed jewelry with her crystals.
Moonchild Minerals: This shop is probably one of the most popular gem shops on Etsy. It features stunning gems such as Shungite, Larimar, Blue Apatite, or Crazy Lace Agate. You’ll also find crystal carvings in Moonchild Minerals. Most small crystals and basic shapes like moons and stars are really affordable.
I Love Lotus: I Love Lotus is one of the most affordable crystal shops I found. They sell a lot of small crystals that would be perfect for electroforming. Whether you want spheres, hearts, or points, you’ll find beautiful crystals for less than $5 each in this store.
Stone and Spirit Shop: Stone and Spirit Shop offers some of the most stunning crystals I’ve ever seen. Most of the gemstones have beautiful and fancy shapes. You can find things like Aura Opalite arrowheads or Angel Aura Obsidian stars. If you’re looking for unique one-of-a-kind items, I definitely recommend checking out this shop.
Lucid Harvest: This shop, located in Canada, sells mostly small gemstones. In this store, you’ll find all sorts of tumble stones, some raw crystals but also beautiful points and fossils. The prices in this shop are more than affordable, which is why it’s one of my favorites! If you have a small budget, I definitely recommend checking out Lucid Harvest.
Strong Healer: Located in Florida, Strong Healer is a great place to shop crystals. In this shop, you’ll find tumbled stones of all sorts, crystal points, and also palm stones. My favorites from this shop include raw Amethyst points, Jasper hearts, and Smoky Quartz points.
Mooncogemsupplies: This shop doesn’t have many crystals listed, but they are actually all perfect for electroforming. In Mooncogemsupplies, you’ll find mostly crystal points and moon-shaped stones. This shop is located in the UK, so if you’re from Europe this could be a good option for you.
See also: What can you electroform? 10 ideas for your next project
Cabochons & special shapes
In the shops I mention below, you’ll find a wide range of cabochons but also stones with special shapes like moons or stars.
ZME Shop: This shop, located in India, is the best place to buy cabochons for electroforming. Especially if you’re a Labradorite lover! ZME Shop offers so many different kinds of stunning cabochons, it’s amazing! They even have moon-shaped items and Rose Quartz cabochons. All for a very good price! If you want really beautiful cabochons, check out this shop.
Gemstone Point: Gemstone Point is also one of my go-to places when I need cabochons. With over 4000 crystals listed, there is no way you can’t find something you love. This shop is filled with Clear Quartz, Labradorite, and Jasper cabochons. They also sell a lot of crystal pairs, which are perfect for earrings.
Gemstone World UK: Gemstone World UK specializes in small and tiny gems. If you want crystals for earrings or rings, this is your place. You’ll find many Labradorite, Moonstone, Onyx, and Chalcedony cabochons. There is a wide variety in terms of sizes, and shapes. Also, don’t forget to check the shop announcement, where they put discount codes!
SK Gems Art: If you’re looking for high-quality moon-shaped Labradorite, head to SK Gems Art! This shop has some pretty stunning crystals, especially the Moss Agate and Black Sunstone cabochons. Truly, this place is a gem!
Charcoal Factory: If you’re looking for high-quality gems at an affordable price, the Charcoal Factory is the best shop for you. This store doesn’t have a lot of choices, but all the stones you’ll find are very high quality. The flashes in the Labradorite and Moonstone are truly exceptional.
Earth Stones Rocks: Another shop with a wide range of crystals. Mostly, you’ll find cabochons, but here are also tumbled stones and even coffin-shaped items. Check out the druzy Agate slices, and Aura Opalite moons, they are amazing. In Earth Stones Rocks, you’ll also find a wide range of heart-shaped crystals such as Lemon Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Tiger’s Eye, or Amazonite.
All Stone Shop: All Stone Shop is another fantastic shop for Labradorite lovers. This shop has a wide range of stunning blue Labradorite. You’ll also find incredible Moonstone cabochon, Mookaite Jasper, and Amethyst among other things.
Namorao Exports: Namorao Exports is actually the Indian equivalent of Gemstone World UK. Except that their prices are a little bit lower. So, if you want small cabochon to embellished your pieces of jewelry, check out this shop. This is where I buy all my tiny gems.
See also: The 10 best places to buy electroforming supplies online
What you should look for in crystals for electroforming
Before you buy your crystals for electroforming, make sure you check the following things:
Size: If you use your crystals for jewelry, you don’t want them to be too big! That’s especially a problem with crystal points, which are often large (and heavy). Cabochons are usually made for jewelry making so they come in all sorts of sizes from small to medium-big. In fact, cabochons are the best to work with because you can get so many different sizes and shapes.
Shape: The most common crystal shapes are clusters, points, and spheres. But you can also find fancier shapes such as moons, stars, unicorns, or hearts for example. Fancy shapes are often pricier, but they are also totally worth it!
Authenticity: This might be pretty obvious, but your crystals must be genuine if you want to sell your jewelry at a higher price. Be aware of glass points that are sometimes sold as Clear Quartz. Or of heat-treated Amethyst that’s sold as Citrine. I’d recommend reading about crystals before buying your first ones.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for great places to buy crystals, I definitely recommend checking out some online shops. Etsy is a good place to start, but you could also consider other platforms, like Instagram. All the shops I recommend in this post are my favorite sellers, which I use all the time.
No matter where you buy, don’t forget to check the authenticity of the seller (and the crystals), the sizes and try to find fancy crystals to create more unique jewelry. Where do you buy your crystals for electroforming? Let me know in the comments below!
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