A Raw Crystal Sourcing Journey: From Finds to Inspired Designs [By Founder]

Hi, I’m Joy, the founder of JoySoul. I’ve been sourcing raw crystals for several years now, including exploring markets, handpicking stones, and building relationships with suppliers from all over the world. Today, I want to share a behind-the-scenes look at one of my recent crystal sourcing trips. It’s not just about buying; it’s about understanding the energy of each piece and ensuring every crystal jewelry you receive from JoySoul carries a story worth telling.

Early Morning at the Raw Crystal Market

At 7 a.m., I drove to the Tiancheng Raw Crystal Market, a mid-sized local fair that opens early and fills up fast. Parking is always tricky. I had to get creative and used an old parking ticket on my windshield in hopes the traffic warden would give me a break.

This market is familiar territory. I usually skip about 90% of the stalls because I know exactly what I’m looking for: rare finds, fresh stock, and standout pieces. The usual inventory doesn’t excite me anymore. I come for the surprises.

Browse the Raw Crystal Section

I started with the raw crystal section. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much that caught my eye today. Some decent-looking oil-drenched bony quartz was overpriced. A few batches of amethyst and agate clusters were interesting but didn’t meet my standards in grade or finish.

The amethyst wands were a nice surprise, new arrivals, but priced about 40% higher than what I paid on previous trips. Without a pricing edge, I decided to pass. The raw stone area was also a bit smaller this time, as many booths had shifted to selling pre-polished stock.

Off to the Bulk Material Suppliers

Since I didn’t buy anything at the market, I drove to my regular bulk material suppliers. The few tons of rose quartz I sourced last month had just run out. At the first supplier, I found out that my preferred grade was sold out and new stock hadn’t arrived.

Luckily, the second supplier had 500 kilograms of quality rose quartz and some amethyst crystal teeth that were 20% cheaper than what I expected, definitely a win.

Visit a Fellow Importer

Next stop was a visit to a fellow crystal importer who works directly with Brazilian mines. Their inventory was full of surprises: shelves stacked with Moroccan geodes, beautifully boxed like pastries; and a massive collection of ZhanGuo red agate bowls, some paired, some solo, some already made into keychains.

But the highlight was the amethyst trees. Unlike the typical money tree designs, these were crafted with natural-looking tree trunks and roots made from raw crystal clusters. They looked alive, like a piece of art. I brought several boxes back with me. I skipped the citrine trees, though, since they were heat-treated, a process I prefer to avoid.

Find Inspiration for Our Next Designs

I also stopped by a few partner workshops where we sometimes develop custom pieces. I picked out several styles as inspiration for our next design phase, either to refine or rework with our own materials.

Back at the Studio

Back at the studio, I carefully sorted the raw crystals and discussed design ideas with our team. They will turn them into original crystal bracelet and pendant styles, always handcrafted, and one-of-a-kind. Each piece we create starts with handpicked stones, but it’s our designers and artisans who give them life.

At JoySoul, every crystal jewelry starts with a story. From hand-selecting crystals at the source to sketching designs and working with experienced artisans, we ensure each piece is crafted with intention.

Later, I met with our retail staff to share the stories behind the new materials and brainstorm how we might turn them into meaningful jewelry. For us, it’s never just about looks—it’s about intention and connection.

Wrapp Up the Day

I rounded off the day by coordinating a restock of a few hundred kilograms of crystal chips from our tumbler factory. I also met with a client who’s organizing a crystal learning event for 50 kids. I connected them with some local partners and wished them a successful event.

Evenings are usually quieter. I spent some time answering questions from collectors, helping them pick pieces for their personal energy work or collections.

Final Thoughts

This might look like a busy, scattered day, but it’s what I love. Every raw crystals sourcing trip brings a fresh perspective and reminds me why I started JoySoul in the first place. Our crystals are more than just products, they’re chosen with care, insight, and a little bit of intuition.

Thanks for coming along on this sourcing journey. Stay tuned! We’ll be sharing more stories from the road and new arrivals in the coming weeks!