Stardew Valley: How To Get & Use The Crystalarium

Harnessing the Power of the Crystalarium in Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is not just about tending to crops and nurturing livestock; it's a rich world where players strive to make their small farm a thriving business. Beyond the usual agricultural pursuits, there are other lucrative items to harvest, such as gemstones. These shiny treasures are not only beautiful and valuable but also crucial for crafting and gifting within the game.

However, the repetitive task of scouring the mines for rare gemstones can become tedious. Enter the Crystalarium, a game-changing device that allows players to replicate a single gemstone or mineral into countless more. Here's a comprehensive guide on how Stardew Valley players can effectively utilize this powerful tool.

Updated on January 6, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update brought significant changes to Stardew Valley, including subtle shifts in how high-level items like the Crystalarium function, particularly in moving and changing stones. This guide has been updated to reflect these new mechanics and ensure players are fully equipped with the latest information.

Obtaining a Crystalarium

To unlock the Crystalarium crafting recipe, players need to elevate their mining skill to Level 9. The crafting materials include:

• 99 Stone: Easily obtainable by breaking rocks on the farm or in the Mines with a Pickaxe.
• 5 Gold Bar: Crafted from Gold Ore, which can be mined at Level 80 and below in the Mines. Combine 5 Gold Ore with 1 Coal in a Furnace to create a Gold Bar.
• 2 Iridium Bar: Mined in Skull Cavern or received daily from the Statue of Perfection. Follow the same forging process as with Gold Bars.
• 1 Battery Pack: Obtained by placing Lightning Rods outside during a thunderstorm; they will charge up and provide Battery Packs upon collection.

For those without the recipe or the required materials, there are alternative ways to acquire a Crystalarium:

• Community Center Bundle: Complete the 25,000g Bundle in the Vault section of the Community Center to receive a Crystalarium as a reward.
• Museum: Donate at least 50 minerals (Gemstones or Geode Minerals) to the Museum Collection, and Gunther will reward you with a Crystalarium.

Using the Crystalarium

Once crafted, the Crystalarium can be placed anywhere on the farm, indoors or outdoors, or even at the Quarry, which is a favored spot for setting up a crystal farm.

The Crystalarium can duplicate any mineral or gemstone placed inside it, with the exception of Prismatic Shards. Among the options, Quartz has the shortest replication time, but its low value and abundance in the mines make it less appealing. Conversely, Diamonds take the longest to replicate at 5 days, but their high value makes them the most profitable choice for the Crystalarium.

To relocate a Crystalarium, players can strike it with an ax or pickaxe, which will return it to their inventory along with any gem currently being replicated. To switch the stone inside a working Crystalarium, simply interact with it while holding the new stone you wish to replicate. For instance, to change from replicating Rubies to Diamonds, approach the machine with a Diamond in hand, and it will replace the Ruby with the Diamond.

By strategically using the Crystalarium, players can significantly boost their profits and become beloved figures in Pelican Town, thanks to the high demand for Diamonds as gifts among the NPCs.