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Crystals

Crystals have captivated human culture for centuries with both their beauty and suggested symbolism. From a talismanic charm to a celebration of nature's remarkable wonder, crystals are a coveted collector's item for the geology enthusiast.

The study and collection of stone specimens began in the days of ancient Babylon, when early natural historians first noted the difference in mineral properties. This examination, in many cases coinciding with a large collection of mineral specimens, developed into the field of mineralogy by the 1500s with the work of Georgius Agricola. Agricola's contributions paved the way for a scientific understanding of crystal structure, which arrived in the early 19th century.

Alongside greater scientific understanding of crystals and their structure, enthusiasts and amateur mineralogists began seeking out superior specimens to add to their own collections. Commemorating the beauty of crystalline structure in its organic form, antique and vintage crystals capture an ideal blend of history, science, and splendor.


Quick Facts

  • Some of the world's largest crystals have been discovered in the Cave of Crystals in Mexico. Measuring more than 30 feet in length, the crystals are made of the soft mineral gypsum and began forming more than 500,000 years ago
  • The name geode comes from the Greek word for earthlike
  • One of the most unusual crystal creations is the British Museum skull, most likely dating to the pre-Columbian era. The piece was created with a substantial chunk of quartz crystal

Recommended Items at Auction

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Natural Uncut Tourmaline Crystal Group [10]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Natural Uncut Tourmaline Crystal Group [10]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£153 Bids
Two Amethyst Quartz Clusters
Mar 02, 11:00 AM AEDT
Two Amethyst Quartz Clusters
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD50- AUD100
AUD353 Bids
Massive Amethyst Crystal Point Group [3]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Massive Amethyst Crystal Point Group [3]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £50- £70
£102 Bids
Mixed Crystal Mineral Specimen Collection [9]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Mixed Crystal Mineral Specimen Collection [9]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£52 Bids
A Collection Of Various Crystal Clusters In A Green Hard Stone Dish
Mar 02, 11:00 AM AEDT
A Collection Of Various Crystal Clusters In A Green Hard Stone Dish
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD602 Bids
A Large Amethyst Crystal Cluster
Mar 02, 11:00 AM AEDT
A Large Amethyst Crystal Cluster
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD1202 Bids
Large Quartz Rock Crystal Chunk Group [48]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Large Quartz Rock Crystal Chunk Group [48]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£51 Bid
Boxed Rock Crystal Quartz Display Point Collection [5]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Boxed Rock Crystal Quartz Display Point Collection [5]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £30- £40
£51 Bid
Large Rock Crystal Quartz Point Collection [6]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Large Rock Crystal Quartz Point Collection [6]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £40- £60
£51 Bid
Massive Rock Crystal Quartz Point Pair
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Massive Rock Crystal Quartz Point Pair
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £40- £60
£51 Bid
Natural Uncut Gem Quality Topaz Crystals [2]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Natural Uncut Gem Quality Topaz Crystals [2]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£51 Bid
Large Cut and Polished Agate Crystal Slice
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Large Cut and Polished Agate Crystal Slice
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £50- £70
£51 Bid
Fused Pyrite Cubes Mineral Display Specimen
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Fused Pyrite Cubes Mineral Display Specimen
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £30- £40
£51 Bid
Pair of Amethyst Crystal Specimens
Feb 23, 1:00 PM EST
Pair of Amethyst Crystal Specimens
by Block Auction House
Est: $10- $10,000
$51 Bid
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Amethyst, Pink Quartz, & Agate Chakra Crystal Wand
Feb 22, 9:00 AM EST
Amethyst, Pink Quartz, & Agate Chakra Crystal Wand
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $40- $80
$251 Bid
Suite of five crystal stones (H:9cm-tallest)
Feb 20, 1:00 PM AEDT
Suite of five crystal stones (H:9cm-tallest)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD151 Bid
PAIR ANTIQUE ROCK CRYSTAL OBELISKS.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
PAIR ANTIQUE ROCK CRYSTAL OBELISKS.
by William Smith Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
MANIFATTURA DEL XX SECOLO - Three quartz spheres with inclusions
Feb 18, 2:30 PM CET
MANIFATTURA DEL XX SECOLO - Three quartz spheres with inclusions
by Capitolium Art
Est: €200- €300
€1001 Bid
Yellow Citrine Crystal Tree on Amethyst
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Yellow Citrine Crystal Tree on Amethyst
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£50 Bids
Large Pink Dolomite Crystal Display Slab
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Large Pink Dolomite Crystal Display Slab
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £30- £40
£50 Bids
Rock Crystal Quartz Point Group [50]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Rock Crystal Quartz Point Group [50]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£50 Bids
Pyrite Crystal Mineral Group [100]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Pyrite Crystal Mineral Group [100]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£50 Bids
Popcorn Quartz Crystal Display Collection [4]
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Popcorn Quartz Crystal Display Collection [4]
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £50- £70
£50 Bids
Large Historic Spinel (209) Crystal Sample
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Large Historic Spinel (209) Crystal Sample
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £20- £30
£50 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Crystals


TimeLine Auctions

TimeLine Auctions

Clars Auctions

Clars Auctions

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Capitolium Art

Capitolium Art