Dead stock kills profits. Here’s how to make sure you’re buying smart this year.

If there’s one thing every crystal shop owner dreads, it’s dead stock. we’ve been there, we once invested in massive crystal chunks, thinking they’d sell fast. instead? they sat… and sat… until we had to sell them under cost just to free up space.

holding onto inventory that isn’t moving is worse than taking a loss, it ties up your cash, your space, and your ability to bring in new stock that actually sells. so how do you avoid it?

3 ways to make sure your stock sells, not sits:

1. Price Point Reality Check. What’s Actually Moving in Your Shop?

Not every shop is the same. What sells in one store at $50 might not move at all in another. Before bringing in new stock, ask yourself:

• What’s the average price your customers are comfortable with? If most of your sales happen in the $10-$40 range, carrying too many high-ticket pieces might stall your cash flow.

• Do you have enough price variety? A good mix of low, mid, and high-tier pricing helps you capture different buyers without overloading on expensive, slow-moving inventory.

Key takeaway: stocking inventory without considering your typical customer’s spending habits is a surefire way to create dead stock.

2. Balance Unique vs. Proven Sellers. How Much Are You Gambling?

It’s easy to get excited about rare or trendy stones, but if nobody recognizes them, they won’t move. That doesn’t mean you should only sell the basics—but you need a smart balance.

• 80/20 rule → 80% of your stock should be proven sellers (tumbles, palm stones, clusters of well-known materials). The other 20% can be higher risk but higher reward unique pieces.

• New stones need education. If you’re bringing in a rare find, train your staff (or yourself) on how to sell it. Customers don’t buy what they don’t understand.

• Think about repeat customers. If someone buys a labradorite palm stone today, they might come back later for a labradorite sphere. Unique stones are great, but if they don’t have a “next step,” they might be a one-and-done sale.

Key takeaway: too much rare stock = customers don’t know what to buy. too much common stock = you blend in with every other shop. find the balance.

3. The Impulse Buy Factor, Does This Piece Sell Itself?

Some crystals practically sell themselves, while others require an explanation. The fastest-moving stock tends to fall into one of these categories:

• Low-risk, high-reward pricing → Items under $20 are impulse buy territory tumbles, small carvings, pocket stones. They require zero hesitation.

• Visually striking or interactive → Fluorescent sodalite under UV light. High-flash labradorite. Any piece with a bold color shift. If it grabs attention, it sells faster.

• Stones with a strong story → Customers love meaningful purchases. If a stone has a compelling history (like Moldavite) or a specific use case (manifestation, protection, etc.), it’s easier to sell.

Key takeaway: your best-selling inventory will always be items that require little effort to convince a customer they need it.