Stardew Valley's Crystalarium: A Gem-Growing Guide
Stardew Valley offers more than farming; shrewd players seek valuable resources beyond crops and livestock, including gemstones. These shiny finds are valuable for crafting and gifting. However, tirelessly mining for rare gems can be inefficient. This is where the Crystalarium shines, allowing players to multiply their gemstone holdings. This guide covers obtaining and utilizing this invaluable tool, updated for Stardew Valley's 1.6 update.
Obtaining a Crystalarium
Unlocking the Crystalarium recipe requires reaching Mining Level 9. Crafting demands:
- 99 Stone: Easily obtained by breaking rocks.
- 5 Gold Bars: Smelt Gold Ore (found at mine levels 80 and below) using Coal in a Furnace.
- 2 Iridium Bars: Mine Iridium in Skull Cavern or obtain it daily from the Statue of Perfection (smelt as above).
- 1 Battery Pack: Collect these from a Lightning Rod struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.
Alternative Acquisition:
- Community Center Bundle: Complete the 25,000g bundle in the Vault.
- Museum Donation: Donate at least 50 minerals (gemstones or geodes) to Gunther's museum.
Using the Crystalarium
Place your Crystalarium anywhere – indoors or outdoors. The Quarry is a popular location for mass production.
The Crystalarium replicates any mineral or gemstone (excluding Prismatic Shards). Quartz has the shortest growth time but low value. Diamonds offer the highest profit despite a 5-day production time.
To relocate or change the gem type: use an axe or pickaxe to retrieve the Crystalarium. Doing so will also drop any gem currently being replicated. To switch gems, simply place a new gem into a working Crystalarium; the old gem will be ejected.
Maximize Your Profits
With a few precious gems and some patience, the Crystalarium significantly boosts profits and enhances your relationships in Pelican Town, making diamonds a particularly desirable choice.
