Stardew Valley: Crystalarium Guide - Get & Use

Stardew Valley is more than just a farming simulator; it's a world brimming with opportunities to turn your small farm into a lucrative enterprise. Beyond the usual crops and livestock, players can delve into the lucrative world of gemstones. These dazzling minerals aren't only beautiful and valuable but also essential for crafting and make fantastic gifts for the townsfolk.

However, scouring the mines daily for the rarest gems can become tedious. This is where the Crystalarium proves invaluable. This ingenious device allows players to replicate a single gemstone or mineral, producing dozens or even hundreds more. Here's a comprehensive guide on how Stardew Valley players can leverage its potential.

Updated January 6, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update introduced significant changes to Stardew Valley, including subtle shifts in the mechanics of high-level items like the Crystalarium. This guide has been revised to reflect the latest updates on moving the Crystalarium and changing the stones within it.

Obtaining A Crystalarium

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

• 99 Stone: Easily obtained by breaking rocks on the farm or in the Mines with a Pickaxe.
• 5 Gold Bar: Mine Gold Ore at Level 80 and below in the mines, then smelt 5 Gold Ore with 1 Coal into a Gold Bar at a Furnace.
• 2 Iridium Bar: Source Iridium from Skull Cavern or the Statue of Perfection, and smelt it into bars.
• 1 Battery Pack: Place lightning rods outside during a thunderstorm to collect these.

Even without the recipe or the rare materials, players can still acquire a Crystalarium through alternative means:

• Community Center Bundle: Complete the 25,000g Bundle in the Vault section of the Community Center to receive a Crystalarium.
• 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, be it indoors or outdoors, on or off the farm. The Quarry is a favored location for setting up a crystal farm with multiple machines.

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

To relocate a Crystalarium, simply strike it with an ax or pickaxe to return it to your inventory. If it's currently replicating a gem, the gem will drop as well. To switch the stone inside, interact with the Crystalarium while holding the new stone. For instance, to change from replicating Rubies to Diamonds, approach the machine with a Diamond in hand. The Ruby will be ejected, and the Diamond will start the replication process.

By inserting a few precious gems and waiting a few days, players can watch their profits soar. Moreover, with many NPCs in Pelican Town delighted to receive Diamonds as gifts, you'll quickly become a beloved figure in the community.