Hypnotic GemsMaterials: 3 lbs (Best Value) Hand Bagged 17 Stone Type Madagascar Mix - Natural Raw Stones & Fountain Rocks for Cabbing, Cutting, Lapidary, Tumbling, Polishing & Reiki Crystal Healing

These are some beautiful and special stones. I've been trying to expand my collection and decided some of these 'mixed bag' orders would be more economical than ordering an entire pound or half pound of a type that I'm interested in. While I do really prefer to pick each stone out by hand to find one that calls to me I don't have the opportunity to get some of these types nearby and it can definitely get expensive to buy one by one.When I received them my order was a bit messed up. There was no amethyst, there were extras of many types and not as many of others. Since the description said exactly what and how many of each I would receive this was the order I decided to make first and I was a little disappointed. I contacted the seller from Hypnotic Gems and he immediately shipped me out a new order directly from their warehouse and everything was exactly as specified, each stone was accounted for. There are some real beauties in each separate order but I really feel the one directly from the warehouse had the best, which might just be luck of the draw (my initial order was Prime.) The neon Apatite is breathtaking and there were a couple Amazonites mixed with something that may either be mica or pyrite that are unique and special. There is one labradorite with really nice labradorescence, one with a few flashes and one with only a very tiny amount. After seeing two orders of the same mix I noticed a trend that you receive at least one stunning example of certain stones and a few of varying degrees of diminishing brilliance (probably to assure everyone gets a fair order.) I really have a hard time distinguishing between the clear Quartz and the girasol, I did receive one very interesting Quartz (or girasol?) that has some fine layers of green inside on one corner. I wish I knew what it was, I want to know everything about each and every stone, they are amazing in both look, feel and vibration.Note: I do not like to have to ask for corrections on an order but I was thankful the seller was eager to fix the issue with zero hassle, so I already ended up ordering more types of stones due to the company's integrity and the great quality of the product. Good customer service pays off!This is a really nice mix at a great price, this and their 3lb Asia stone mix are probably the best starters in my opinion because you get a good variety at excellent prices.The brilliance really does come out when most of these are wet and some are just as pretty dry. I took another reviewer's advice and put a tiny amount of oil on some of them to really bring out the color for display.*Photos show my original order and the replacement order, second order wet, examples from order one and two side by side for comparison and the remaining photos are some of the standout stones.

Good luck if you purchase this for mineral specimens. The description reads, "Every bag has a gigantic variety with a whopping 26-28 different Madagascar Stone Types." That's just not true in terms of what I received. I ordered two pounds, to increase my chances of getting usable specimens for each type. That's not what happened. I'm quite disappointed, because I read this and believed it: "Hypnotic Gems packages each bag one stone at a time in their USA warehouse. The stones are not random but are a hand selected consistent assortment which guarantees a perfect blend and variety with every bag ordered!" This description made me think there were 26 bins of rocks/minerals and a person was hand packing each 1-pound bag with one of each type. I received two 1-pound bags that were very different and neither included all the stones. Together, between the bags, I only counted 18 varieties. One bag had a lot of kambaba jasper (3 pieces) and the other bag had 0 pieces. One bag had 3 pieces of amazonite and the other bag had 2. I don't need that much and would gladly have traded several for just one piece of petrified wood. Or chrysocolla. Or Rhodonite!!! or Fire Quartz! Or Indigo Gabbro. Or Epidote in Matrix! Or Blue Quartz! I have now read a review that indicates the shipping, at least, is handled by Amazon. Maybe the packing, too? But there should be some way to increase quality control.The bags of rocks were shipped with two other bags I ordered, all together packed tightly into a Priority Mail square box. There was brown paper on the top and bottom to keep the bags from shifting, but I think the stones-on-stones action may have contributed to the pieces of broken opal in the bottom of the bags. Maybe wrapping the bags separately (even in paper, not bubble wrap) would have been helpful.On the positive side, the shipping was timely and there was no problem with delivery. The size of the pieces are very good for specimens (all at least 1" ). The Kambaba (Crocodile) Jasper showed distinct patterning and was a good inclusion. Since I'm not going to use for tumbling, I didn't need as much yellow Jasper or Chestnut Jasper, but if you tumble rocks they would probably turn out well. The pieces of Septarian Nodules were easy to identify and showed great fluorescence.

Okay soooo let me start with... buyers you must allow your crystals to soak overnight. Submerge your stones in water and add sea salt that’s the only way you’ll be able to really appreciated them and exude the energy from the colors and feels. Trust me.Soooo I’m happy with the choice of stones however like many here Not happy with the fact that some I have to figure out. For the money we’re paying, hire someone to label the stones, please. Or do them yourself if your well versed. This is why you aren’t getting 5 star ratings.I had to purchase Crystals for Beginners by Karen Frazier and it’s a wonderful guide so on that note... happy you didn’t include the labels. However... it’s time consuming and everyone doesn’t have that kind of time. I want more but considering finding someone who will provide labeling. Thank You!Oh... and I purchased the case here it’s a 30 slot jewelry case.Update: After matching all of the crystals I was promised in the description, I noticed two were missing. I reached out to the Seller and it was explained to me that my crystals came directly from Amazon and they didn't have control over the selection. although seller did provide instruction for every order. She apologized and told me she would send the two missing and the next day I got confirmation of the shipments tracking number. If you want GREAT crystals teach yourself the names and meanings and order from this company! I switched to 5 stars because the Customer Service was top notch Marci took care of me and truly felt bad about my purchase. Order from companies that STAND by their products Hypnotic Gems does that! Thank you so much and I'll be ordering again real soon.

Great product