Frequently Asked Questions

Raw crystals are natural specimens extracted from the earth with minimal processing — they show the crystal's natural faces, fractures, and matrix. Polished stones are cut and ground to shape (sphere, tower, freeform, tumbled), then polished to a gloss or satin finish. Mineralogically they are identical. The differences are visual and tactile: raw pieces look and feel more geological; polished pieces are smoother and often show colour more vividly. Raw crystals at iLoadStar are priced at approximately 50% of their polished equivalents.

We source from suppliers with documented supply chains — mines and cutting operations we can trace by country of origin, and in most cases by region. Product listings always include the country of origin. We do not source from regions with active conflict mineral concerns. That said, the gemstone supply chain has real opacity issues at the mining level globally, and we believe in being honest about that rather than making claims we cannot fully verify.

All crystals we sell are natural minerals — not synthetic, lab-grown, or dyed (unless explicitly stated). Some crystals are commonly found treated in the market; for example, some citrine sold commercially is actually heat-treated amethyst. We label what we know and would rather tell you a piece is common and affordable than misrepresent it.

Key identifiers: colour, transparency (opaque vs translucent vs transparent), crystal habit (shape of the faces), lustre (glassy, silky, resinous), and hardness (scratch test against glass = Mohs 5.5). Our blog has identification guides for common specimens. If you are stuck, email us a photo at info@iloadstar.com and we will help if we can.

Yes — we ship to all provinces and territories within Canada via Canada Post. We do not currently ship internationally. All orders ship from Mission, BC.

Orders are typically processed within 1–3 business days. Transit estimates after shipping: BC 2–5 days; AB, SK, MB 4–7 days; ON and QC 5–10 days; Atlantic provinces and territories 7–14 days. These are Canada Post estimates, not guarantees.

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on weight and destination. Crystals vary widely in weight — bulk orders and large specimens will cost more to ship than small tumbled stones. We do not mark up shipping costs.

We offer a 30-day return policy. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us within 30 days of delivery. Natural specimens vary by their nature — we describe size and weight ranges on each listing. Returns are accepted if the item does not match its listing description. See our returns page for the full process.

Yes. Our bulk category lists crystals sold in 100 g increments — chips, small tumbled pieces, and raw fragments. These are priced per 100 g bag. If you need larger quantities than listed, email us at info@iloadstar.com with your request and we will quote you directly.

Care varies by mineral hardness and water sensitivity. Quartz family minerals (amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, clear quartz) are water-safe and can be rinsed or submerged briefly. Selenite, malachite, and fluorite should not be placed in water. Moonlight, smudging with sage, and placing on a selenite slab are safe cleansing methods for all minerals. Prolonged direct sunlight will fade colour in amethyst and rose quartz over time. Each product listing notes specific care considerations.

Natural specimens can occasionally chip during shipping despite careful packaging. Contact us at info@iloadstar.com within 7 days of delivery with a photo of the damage and your order number. We will arrange a replacement or refund including return shipping.