Crystal River Gems — Local services in Pittsburgh

First off I hate that I feel that I need to write a review. My first and last experience with Crystal River gems leaves me with mixed feelings. Starting with the positive the agate slices are absolutely beautiful and the shipping was extremely fast. As for the negative aspect of my experience. Immediately after ordering online I realized I did not input my coupon code that was emailed to me. I quickly emailed the company to see if they could add the coupon code and included a screenshot of my email I had from them with the coupon code. I received no response! The next day I spoke with a girl named Bunny and explained my situation and she told me that the owner Jim would call me back. no response! The next day I call again and spoke with Bunny and she seemed shocked that I did not receive a response and left another message. Yet again no response! I finally received agates. 5 out of the 6 are exactly what I ordered. As for the 6th agate that I had "cherry picked", (an extra $1) was completely replaced by a different agate color other than what I had requested. Yet again I call to inquire why the agate was sent in the first place and why no one called me to tell me they could not find that specific color. Another message was left for Jim. I wait till the end of the day to hear from him and no response. I finally get a ding on my phone stating that $1 (cherry picking fee) had been refunded. I am so disappointed. I find the business ethics to be cowardly and sneaky. Forcing customers to purchase items they did not request and put them in the position to be charged a 15% restocking fee due to their unwillingness to properly correspond or take responsibility is shameful. Beautiful product but poor business practices. I would even be scared to shop in store if this is how they handle...

I've been shopping at Crystal River since they were in the Arcade Building, and I am happy to say they've certainly taken their quality and knowledge along with all of their amazing stones and glasswork when they moved across the street. They're on the 7th floor now and it's almost like a secret place, but I'm glad I was able to find them again. My friend and her girlfriend went the other day and the only "bad" thing I have to say about the experience is that I can only get a little at a time. They have so many different types of products from jewelry to lamps to blown glass, fossils, and so many beautiful crystals. I swear I feel better just being in the shop, and all the people working there are extremely knowledgeable and helpful beyond measure. They were able to point me where I wanted to go and always with a smile. I hope more people will continue to find this wonderful little shop and bring some happiness home with them. I highly recommend shopping here for personal reasons and gifts for others. If you appreciate pretty things or are looking to balance your chakras, you won't do much better than...

I'm a huge rock buff, and before discovering this store I would often trek to other shops or order online to get my rock fixes. Often when I did, what I found were overpriced specimens that varied wildly in quality and were often mislabeled or misidentified as something else that was rarer/more "mystical." Not so here! Crystal River Gems is my new go-to -- everything in the shop is labeled clearly and accurately, and if there are any questions about stone ID, the owner can answer them adroitly with no uncertain dithering. Plus, their rocks and minerals are some of the most affordable samples I've seen on offer anywhere -- you can literally buy a five-pound hunk of jasper for twelve bucks. The loose tumbled stones are also well worth a visit. The quality of these is top-notch, plus they often have larger pieces and jewelry findings on offer as well. My only critique is that I wish there were more large palm stones or unique offerings (like stones with inclusions, etc), but honestly, this is the most top-notch gem shop I've ever seen, and I'll be back many...