Stardew Valley: Crystalarium Guide - Get & Use

Stardew Valley is more than just a farming simulator; it's a world teeming with opportunities beyond growing crops and tending to livestock. Players are always on the lookout for ways to boost their farm's profitability, and gemstones are a prime target. Not only are these dazzling rocks valuable, but they're also essential for crafting and make fantastic gifts for the townsfolk of Pelican Town.

However, scouring the mines for rare gemstones can become a tedious task. That's where the Crystalarium proves invaluable. This ingenious device allows players to replicate a single gemstone or mineral into dozens or even hundreds more. Here's a comprehensive guide on how Stardew Valley players can leverage the power of the Crystalarium.

Updated January 6, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update has significantly altered Stardew Valley, introducing subtle changes to high-level items like the Crystalarium. These updates affect how the device is moved and how players can switch the stones inside. This guide has been revised to reflect these changes and ensure players have the most current information.

Obtaining A Crystalarium

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

• 99 Stone: Easily obtainable 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 and smelt 5 Gold Ore with 1 Coal into a Gold Bar using a Furnace.
• 2 Iridium Bar: Mine Iridium in Skull Cavern or obtain it daily from the Statue of Perfection. Smelt Iridium Ore into bars as described above.
• 1 Battery Pack: Place lightning rods outside during a thunderstorm to charge and collect Battery Packs.

Even if players lack the recipe or the materials, there are alternative ways to acquire a Crystalarium:

• Community Center Bundle: Completing the 25,000g Bundle in the Vault section of the Community Center rewards players with a Crystalarium. Simply donate 25,000g to fulfill this bundle.
• Museum: Donating at least 50 minerals (Gemstones or Geode Minerals) to the Museum Collection will prompt Gunther to gift a Crystalarium to the player.

Using The Crystalarium

Once constructed, players can place the Crystalarium anywhere, whether indoors, outdoors, on the farm, or elsewhere. A popular spot for a crystal farm is the Quarry, where players can set up multiple machines simultaneously.

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, but its low value and abundance in the mines make it less appealing. Conversely, Diamonds take the longest to produce, at 5 days, yet their high value makes them the most lucrative choice for the Crystalarium.

To move a Crystalarium, players should strike it with an ax or pickaxe, which will return the device to their inventory. If a gem is being replicated at the time, it will drop to the ground. To change the stone inside the Crystalarium, simply place a new stone into a working machine. For instance, if replicating Rubies and wanting to switch to Diamonds, interact with the Crystalarium while holding a Diamond. The Ruby will be ejected, and the Diamond will take its place.

By inserting 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, players will become beloved members of the community.