Editorial Policy
How we choose what we recommend, how we disclose affiliate relationships, and how we handle claims about crystals.
Our Mission
CrystalsAlchemy exists to help readers find crystals that are beautiful, ethically sourced, and accurately described. We are a curation site, not a marketplace. Every stone, book, and tool we feature has been selected because it met our standards, not because a vendor paid to be here.
Our voice is editorial. We write for people new to crystals, seasoned collectors, and everyone in between, and we try to explain traditions honestly without overpromising.
How We Curate
Products appear on this site after passing a short internal checklist. We prioritize real supply, accurate descriptions, and fair pricing over catalog breadth.
Sourcing
We favor sellers who disclose country of origin, treatment status (heat, dye, irradiation), and material composition.
Accuracy
Titles must match the stone. We flag listings that mislabel dyed howlite as turquoise, glass as aventurine, or opalite as moonstone.
Price Integrity
We compare listings against typical retail for similar quality. Items priced well outside a reasonable range are excluded.
Vendor Standards
We look at seller history, return policy, and photo honesty. Shops that stage one photo and ship a different product do not make the cut.
Editorial Independence
No vendor pays for placement on CrystalsAlchemy. Rankings, recommendations, and editorial opinions are ours. A brand cannot buy its way into a guide, a “top pick” slot, or a shop tile. When we feature a product, it is because our team chose it.
If a recommendation turns out to be wrong, we change it. We do not keep a product listed because it earns us a commission.
Affiliate Disclosure
We participate in two main affiliate programs:
- Amazon Associates. Product links pointing to amazon.com may include our affiliate tag. Commissions do not change the price you pay.
- Energy Muse via AWIN. Links to energymuse.com go through the AWIN affiliate network. Same rule: commissions do not change your price.
We occasionally test other programs (Audible free trials, Kindle Unlimited). When we do, we disclose it inline near the link.
How We Talk About Crystal Properties
Crystals have been used in spiritual, cultural, and wellness traditions for thousands of years. We write about those traditions respectfully and describe what practitioners historically associate with each stone.
We do not present crystals as a substitute for medical care, therapy, or professional advice. If you are dealing with a health, legal, or financial situation, please consult a qualified professional. Our guides are for curiosity, beauty, and personal practice.
Fact-Checking & Sources
Mineralogy and color claims are checked against established references including Mindat, the Gemological Institute of America, and peer-reviewed mineral databases. Historical and cultural context draws on published folklore and anthropology sources, cited where relevant.
We try to separate three layers clearly when we write:
- Verifiable facts (hardness, chemistry, geographic origin).
- Historical tradition (what a culture has said about a stone).
- Personal practice (how readers might use a stone today).
Corrections Policy
If we get something wrong, we fix it. When a correction is material (wrong stone name, wrong price tier, wrong historical claim), we update the article and note the change near the bottom. Typos and small wording fixes are made silently.
Spotted an error? Tell us. We take accuracy seriously and we would rather hear about a mistake than leave it live.
Questions or corrections?
We read every message and respond within a few business days.
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