Stardew Valley: Crystalarium Guide - Get & Use

Though it is primarily a farming simulator, Stardew Valley offers much more than just growing crops and tending to animals. Players strive to transform their modest farm into a lucrative enterprise, and there are numerous valuable resources to harvest beyond vegetables. Among these, gemstones stand out as not only beautiful and valuable but also essential for crafting and perfect gifts for the town's residents.

However, tirelessly scouring the mines for the rarest gemstones can become a tedious task. This is where the Crystalarium proves invaluable. This incredible device allows players to replicate a single gemstone or mineral, producing dozens or even hundreds more. Here's how players can leverage the Crystalarium's potential in Stardew Valley.

Updated January 6, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update has brought significant changes to Stardew Valley, including subtle adjustments to high-level items like the Crystalarium. Its functionality regarding relocation and changing stones inside has been modified. This guide has been updated to reflect the latest changes in the game, ensuring 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 materials required to craft one are:

• 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 using a Furnace.
• 2 Iridium Bar: Harvest Iridium from Skull Cavern or receive it daily from the Statue of Perfection. Follow the same smelting process as with Gold Bars.
• 1 Battery Pack: Place Lightning Rods outside during thunderstorms. When struck, they'll produce Battery Packs for collection.

Even without the recipe or these costly materials, players have 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 achieve this.
• Museum: Donating at least 50 minerals (Gemstones or Geode Minerals) to the Museum Collection will prompt Gunther to gift a Crystalarium.

Using The Crystalarium

Once constructed, players can position the Crystalarium anywhere, be it indoors or outdoors, on their farm or elsewhere. The Quarry is a favored spot for setting up a crystal farm, where multiple machines can operate simultaneously.

The Crystalarium can duplicate any mineral or gemstone inserted into it, with the exception of Prismatic Shards. Among the options, Quartz has the shortest replication time, though its low market value and abundance in the mines make it less appealing. Conversely, Diamonds take the longest to produce 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 to return it to their inventory. If the machine is currently duplicating a gem, that gem will also drop. To switch the stone inside the Crystalarium, simply interact with the machine while holding the new stone. For instance, if it's currently replicating Rubies and you want to switch to Diamonds, just approach the machine with a Diamond in hand. The Ruby will be ejected, and the Diamond will be inserted into the Crystalarium.

By inserting a few valuable gems and waiting patiently, players will soon witness a significant increase in their profits. Moreover, since many NPCs in Pelican Town appreciate receiving Diamonds as gifts, this strategy will also enhance relationships throughout the community.