Was visiting from Chicago, and I'm an avid crystal collector, so I looked them up and decided to stop in. Wonderful selection of crystals, minerals, and fossils! I ended up going home with a fossilized mud ball--so cool. Friendly, knowledgable staff! Will definitely be back the next time I'm in town. read more

Love the deals you can find here and the quality of merchandise is very good ! Very fun place to take kids 8 and up (as there are glass shelves ) as there are small rocks at cheaper prices . The natural specimens are so very good here read more

I don't like how Burnies responded to my review, making it look like I am a liar about the price sticker on the item I returned. If the salesman who was handling my return had done their job properly, I would have been given a receipt of some sort with the $70 price on it and all of this nonsense would be a mote point. They can keep their $56 - I will never step foot in their stores again. Thanks for showing me and all of us who you really are. Petty, devisive and dishonest. read more

Shouting out from California! Proud of my alma mater city and a reason to go to one of the only lapidaries that agreed to cut a stone for an inexpensive ring. Everyone at Burnie's was OUTSTANDING in their communication. Story? I bought a set of 3 rings at my yoga studio that was going out of business during COVID. I wore 2 of the rings "stacked" and they were a staple for me. I had lost one of the dendrite agates and was devastated. Rae was so cool, let me mail in my other ring to match up and by George, we tried to find something in inventory - but there wasn't a clear match. I spent many a sleepless night looking at dendrite opal agates on ETSY and finally found one after much back and forth with the shop. I sent it to Burnie's and they did EXACTLY what I was looking for. TO MATCH THE OTHER RING. Honestly? I couldn't be happier. They were reasonably priced. Cut the stone exactly as I wanted it to be cut. Honestly, like a miracle how it all came out. I just looked at the number of emails back and forth, there were 38 many with photos of yeas or nays. Then the communication about the agate I needed to buy and it's characteristics and size. Anybody hoping for something spot on that can do their part to get what they want will not be disappointed. I am hoping to show what I got if I can with a photo. SO SO SO HAPPY! read more

When Burnie, the original owner still was there, this shop was so special! He always had interesting specimen, fossils and treasures. More so, he just had a truly friendly environment and was always up for a chat. Now it's just a shop with stuff that sells and the special has pretty much left the building. Having been a patron for a long time, it has changed tremendously! It is very evident this place is no longer the same! I do not like shopping there anymore! I have found better and as original places as this shop once was, a little bit out of town, which a true rockhound will look for and appreciate more! read more

Burnie's Rock Shop is a small rock shop that is like a natural history or geology museum where you can actually buy affordable artifacts or rock specimens! Once you walk in you will instantly be entranced by all the fascinating crystals, rocks, and beautiful unique custom jewelry! I love every time I visit the shop there is always something new, rare, and fascinating to look at! One time I visited, they had a very cool fossilized bear claw from Siberia, Russia (22,000-39,500 years old), trilobite fossils, Burmese Amber with Bug Inclusions (99 million years old), and a fossil turtle shell! They have some of the most rare gems and meteorites on Earth which is really cool such as meteorites from Mars, meteorites from Campo del Cielo, Argentina, and Sikhote Alin iron meteorites from Russia. They even carry one of the most powerful high vibrational authentic moldavite crystals which are super rare! I like that Burnie's Rock Shop is well organized especially by the type of crystal or rock category which is easy to find. Super rare rock specimens are encased in locked glass cabinets towards the front to the store and unique rock specimens of all different types are in the window display. They also have a whole section for making your own unique crystal jewelery pieces as well as also having beautifully crafted unique jewelry pieces that are already made for sale. Their prices are very affordable and decent. You can buy small individual crystal pieces for very cheap. Even the more rare specimens are decently priced for their authenticity. Burnie's Rock Shop also provides many services such as jewelry repair, lapidary, and custom design services. They do cleaning/polishing, ring sizing and re-shanking, chain repair, bead stringing and re-stringing. Their Professional Lapidary services include custom cabochon cutting, polishing, stone/shell drilling, inlay repair, stone sawing, etc. I have always had great customer service here and staff always asked me if I need help. The times I have been in there, there were only a couple of staff working busy helping alot of customers, so you may have to be patient or direct with them that you need h Burnie's Rock Shop is a great rock shop to explore! read more

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I've only been here once but damn this place is good. The clerks tell you about the rocks you buy (hazards, composition) and help you find a good addition to your collection. The prices are quite fine, too. read more

What a cute spot! I've honestly never been in a rock shop before...so I didn't know what to expect. But it was really cool! As one could imagine, there were lots of rocks and crystals to check out. I settled for buying an inexpensive rock/crystal ring that was really cute. They also had a large selection of fancier jewelry and decor to look at (and buy ofc). The staff were also very sweet and seemed super knowledgeable. read more

Every time I have been to Burnie's the clerk has always been very helpful in guiding me in the right direction whenever I'm having trouble finding a particular type of stone . And the selection is amazing and the prices are great read more

My favorite crystal shop in Madison! I always love visiting when I come to visit town. Great selection and nice staff. read more

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My grandpa was a rock and gem collector. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve digging through buckets of rocks in grandpa's garage, looking for treasure to take back home with me. We only got one rock each time we visited, but sometimes he'd bring a few agates or quartz specimens when he visited us. I was missing my dear old grandpa today, so I decided to check out Burnie's Rock Shop. I'm so glad I did! Gorgeous gems and rocks of all kinds, beautiful jewelry, and all the tools you'd need to make your own creation. In fact, the owner explained to me that they recently opened up Burnie's Design Annex next door where you can meet with a jewelry designer! I didn't realize really until today how much I still love looking at rocks, picking up a geode and examining its crystal insides, in awe that its beauty is hidden by a rough, rock exterior. I felt like my grandpa was with me today, looking over my shoulder, informing my admiration. I purchased a pretty cluster of amethyst for $6. I'm not sure why. But I'm pretty sure grandpa would have approved. read more

Burnie's Rock Shop - Burnie's Rock Shop window - Art Supplies Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I really like just about any rock shop because they're like a natural history museum you can buy stuff from. Burnie's is no different. I'm very fond of the fact that everything is so nicely organized by stone (and color too!), and that there are MANY options to choose from in each variety. Their prices aren't bad either (especially for that neighborhood). You can get a nice black kyanite fan for $6, and little Tibetan quartz crystals (beautifully terminated, for the price!) run anywhere from $0.50-$6. It's a great place to check out if you have a project or need to add some crystal vision to your life. ;) There are beads for making your own jewelry, finished one-of-a-kind pieces for every taste, and even metal fab supplies. And THEN there are the lapidary slabs... Did you know the Madison Gem & Mineral Society is located just behind the shop? This means that you can take a class there and shop for supplies RIGHT NEXT STORE. Is this dangerous? You bet your sweet rockhound arse, it is. The takeaway? Go with a budget. Stick to your budget. Get ready to fight to the death for a parking spot (it's the neighborhood--not the shop). And for the love of Pete, don't spend all your rent money on crystals, hippie. read more

Funny enough, I've never bought anything at Burnie's... however, this month I brought in three silver rings for repair (missing stones, bent our of shape, etc.). They were even able to repair two of the rings at the time of my visit!! Repair price is reasonable and staff seems very experienced and knowledgeable. read more

Burnie's Rock Shop - 3 repaired rings (pearl replaced, turquoise stone reset, amber and turquoise ring "re-rounded") - Art Supplies Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I took an old ring with sentimental meaning to Burnie's. Holy crap did they hit it out of the park. My ring looks better than new. Stunning. So happy to have it back on my finger. Thanks guys. You gave a guy without much to smile about a reason to smile. Love it and thanks. read more

I am so happy to have found this place! My husband has a wedding band and all the turquoise fell out. I called around to jewelry shops in the area and no one seemed to be able to help me. Then I was referred to Burnie's and when I took the ring in they assured me they could help. They have someone who does wonderful work cutting gemstones. They say this ring has a chance for a long life! I can't wait to see the work when it's done. I'll update when I get it back! But so far they are great! Life savers! Update: the guy who fixes stones on jewelry did such an amazing job with my husbands ring. I would recommend them to anyone. So appreciate his beautiful work! read more

Positives: Nice staff. Super fun rocks and jewelry to look at. They take great care in jewelry description when dropping off for repairs. Negatives: Went in about a year ago for prong repair on my 15 year old wedding ring, which had never had any problems or work done on it before. All 4 prongs were "replaced" and they looked awful and uneven. I asked for them to redo the work and it was slightly better but still not as good as when the stone was first placed. Fast forward to a few weeks ago I noticed that my stone was loose - just a year after all prongs were replaced, never needing work in the prior 15 years - they charge me to tighten the prong then return the ring to me dirtier than when I dropped it off. They didn't buff or clean it. Will not be returning for any more repair work. read more

I have been going to Bernie's since I was a little girl. My first vivid memory was in first grade, when I wanted to display my rock collection for the school's "Share Fair." I had some cool specimen's that I needed help identifying, so my parents took me to Bernie's. Even as a child, the staff were so amazing and helpful to me. I remember one employee going through books, explaining how various types of rocks were formed and even teaching me about the Mohs Scale! Truly service at it's best. Now, I live in California, however I try to visit Bernie's when I am visiting my family in Madison. In August, I came home wearing my favorite antique scarab bracelet. It broke, I nearly lost it in the Memorial Union bathroom! My dad took me right to Bernie's (well, after breakfast at Lazy Jane's). They were as always, so helpful. Took all my info and had no qualms at all about shipping it to me in Oakland. They quoted me two weeks to complete the laser welding needed for the repair. It was done on time, very reasonably priced and I felt completely confident leaving the antique bracelet in their hands. I love Bernie's! read more

I have never been to this store....I've never even been to the state. But I heard about it from a friend as a great place to get custom stone jewelery. I had been looking for a pair of teardrop shaped blue lace agate plugs (for my stretched ear piercings) to wear at our wedding last year. I had looked all over the internet and couldn't find what I wanted. I contacted them by email to explain what I had been looking for. They had never made teardrop shaped plugs but were all about figuring it out and making them! I sent them a description with dimensions, they emailed me back a few drafts. I could tell by our first communications these guys really knew what they were doing! Now, I'll be honest. I was a little nervous to be paying $80 (not a bad price by the way) for a pair of wedding day earrings sight unseen. But after a few emails with the staff I could really tell that they were genuinely invested in making a product that I was happy with and proud to wear down the aisle. Anyway, the plugs turned out BEAUTIFULLY! And that's saying a lot for what a girl chooses to wear on her wedding day. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH, I still wear them to this day ! Thanks Burnies! read more

I went here for the first time last weekend and immediately fell in love. It's hard not to revert to a little kid and want to touch absolutely everything. I didn't used to think that a person could actually fall in love with a place, but it's true. I am seriously considering proposing marriage, or at the very least, that we move in together long term. I love you Burnie's. All your rocks, crystals, nic nacs, doo dads, jewelry, beads, and sparkly shiny things make my heart sing. The staff there is like the frosting on the cake. When I get old and geriatric I want these people to look after me with their rocks. The rocks really are my friends. xoxoxo read more

An important part of my rock nerd past. I became somewhat obsessed with crystals as a child and would spend hours looking at all the rocks and information this small loving shop possessed. The staff was always informative, nice, and patient. I once spend hours searching for a perfect geode for them to crack. When I finally got one it contained the most beautiful twin umbrella quartz. Years later these crystals are still among my prized childhood possessions. Burnie's Rock Shop is a Madison gem (pun completely intended), for adult rock geeks and interested children alike. read more

I wanted to love Bernies. The service is lacking. I walk in and wait for a helpers attention. I'm shopping for an engagement ring. He is out from behind the counter chatting up two lovely young ladies, not shopping, talking extensively about Kambuccha. Handkerchief hair guy, you cost Bernies a pretty big sale. I am ignored by two guys counting out a drawer in the back. For a shop with 3 attendants don't expect to be attended... Unless you are lovely, young and in a sundress. read more

Organized, vast and reasonably-priced assortment of rocks, minerals, jewelry and fossils. Burnie's is a modest-sized store located a 1/2 mile or so from downtown. Within this shop, they include as much per square foot as I have seen in like establishments (white space be damned). Rock enthusiasts love their selection. Their prices are on par with larger shops and Burnie's includes more higher quality selections. My child was excited by the dinosaur fossils and the learning kits ($2.50 kits explaining and tying together minerals, rocks fossils and ore with real materials). The only thing missing was the ability to mine for gemstones via the five-gallon bucket. Of course, lack of space prohibits it, but to engage non-rock enthusiast ... hands-on activity is important. Regardless, its nearly perfect for anyone that would seek it out in the 1st place. More space could add to more fun ... but it would likely be at the expense of its convenient location. read more

Can be a little intimidating for the non-rock-enthusiast, but boasts a friendly, knowledgeable staff and an array of unusual gifts: seashell bracelets, amber earrings, uncut chunks of amethyst. Also a great place to run into angry ex-girlfriends of burnout ex-boyfriends, much to your chagrin. read more

I've loved Burnie's Rock Shop for years! They have amazing jewelry and great selections of rocks from all over the world! The store is fun and the staff has always been helpful. read more

Burnie's Rock Shop on E. Johnson is as good as it gets. But today I was in their shop on S. Park Street and came away impressed with all aspects of that location. It is sparkling clean, the jewelry is lovingly displayed in well lit tall mirrored cabinets -- full of gems in necklaces, earrings, rings. The two women who were working today were marvelous to me, showing me some very special pieces -- a large piece of angulated blue kyanite, an absolutely lovely and AAA rated pair of blue kyanite earrings, crystalline rose quartz (unusual), and a wonderful smoky quartz specimen. I was happy to come home with a small crystalline rose quartz and smoky quartz but my heart was lifted by the environment and the women's obvious love of the rocks, crystals, jewelry they work with. read more

My little girl was heartbroken after losing her pyrite chunk she "mined" from the zoo (which was her all time favorite activity...!) and we were about to head home to CO, when I googled this place and my sister-in-law said it was a cute shop, so we dropped by. The nice ladies were very patient with my daughter, who didn't want the $15 shiny stones, not the $5 or the $3. She wanted tiny tiny chunks, and soon she was handed the reject tray where they put broken stuff from other toddlers rampaging through the store(?) I had to insist on paying for something because she wanted to just give us her handful of scrap rocks. So incredibly nice and patient, we will definitely be back ASAP. read more

Bought this ring at Burnie's in April for $98 that's not cheap but the ring was! They will only guarantee for 90 days. Would charge $50 to replace the stone! I've had rings like this for 30 yrs. ! They should stand behind the products they sell. read more

Burnie's Rock Shop - Ring with missing stone from burnies - Art Supplies Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My favorite Madison rock shop. Love the beautiful and rare specimens I find at burnies. The staff feels like family. They were also very helpful with my wedding preparations. read more

Love Burnie's! Brought in some jewelry for some repairs. One bracelet to be polished, a chain that needs a new clasp, and an earring to be turned into a necklace. The bracelet looks like new, the chain is repaired, and the necklace is absolutely gorgeous! Everyone we spoke with was friendly and helpful. From the initial call with questions about the earring to necklace process, to the design, to finally picking up our completed pieces. Wish I could buy everything in the store. read more

I have shopped at Burnie's Rock Shop since the 1978. Professional Jewelry Store with people working setting stones and polishing rocks from all over the US. Can even make a custom piece for you, pick out a setting from a huge selection, a stone, set in bezel in 5 minutes. Place is staffed by local artisans who are very good. You can spend 30 minutes just looking at all the stuff in a snap read more

Burnie's has very nice rocks, but DO NOT go there for custom jewelry. Their employees are unprofessional and their metal workers are careless. If your piece is delicate they will break it. I took in a diffraction grating, a piece of scientific glass that reflects beautiful rainbows, and asked if they could set it into a pendant. Its a 1/2"x1/2" block and I wanted metal on 5 sides and glass on the front. The woman I dealt with quickly told me they could bevel set it, and then rushed me through the rest of the process. I think she spoke with me for less than 10 minutes. She never asked me what material it was made out of, or how much it was worth. A diffraction grating has to be handled relatively carefully and I attempted to describe proper handling procedure to her but she rushed me through this as well. I called again later to describe proper handling and the box I gave it to them in also had the handling procedure on it, very clearly. It said. "The surface of a diffraction grating can be easily damaged by fingerprints, aerosols, or the slightest contact with an abrasive material. Always hold these optics by the sides and wear latex gloves or a similar protective covering." Later they called me and told me there was a problem. When I went in they showed me the grating and it had been cracked all the way through, and also had been severely scratched. I really wish I could post a picture in this review so you could understand how much they destroyed it. It had cracked because the box they had built for it was too small and the metal smith had forced it into the box, probably scratching it during this procedure. I work as an opto-mechanical engineer and deal with metal workers on a regular basis. A metal worker who doesn't understand things like machining tolerances or proper handling of delicate materials is an absolute farse. I asked to speak with him to ask him why he had handled it the way he did and was told I could not. I understand that there is some risk involved in metal working, and that when making custom jewelry accidents happen. But this was just the result of carelessness and a lack of professionalism. NEVER TRUST BURNIE'S WITH YOUR PERSONAL JEWELRY read more

They messed up, I complained asked for my money back and posted a bad review. They agreed to reimburse me and asked me to take down my reviews. At least I got my money back. read more

Busted ring finger, wedding band needed to be cut off. Simple repair. Was initially quoted $30-40, and was told that there'd be a difference in price between simply repairing the band (making the joint), and detailing the small rim where the joint would be made. Got back the estimate, $90-100. 2-3X the initial quote. WTH? Additionally, was told there'd be no difference in price whether they did the simple joint repair, or detailed the rim where the joint was made. We reminded them on both counts, ignored. Nope. read more

I love this store. I could walk around for hours and examine everything. Great place to buy gifts for people who love geology and fossils, and people who make jewelry. The staff is really helpful and friendly! read more

Purchased a specimen for a geology major friend of mine and she loved it. Knowing nothing about rocks, I appreciated the friendly service and suggestions. Thanks Burnies! read more

Burnie's is such a fun store. Even though I work in a fine jewelry store, I really enjoy dropping in there from time to time, just to check out all the unique items they have. The best one? Fossil pendants! That just appeals to all sorts of nerd in me. :) read more

Really friendly staff and awesome decor!! I love their selection of books, jewelry, collector stones and beads. What a wonderful gem in Madison. read more

Great merchandise. Arrogant staff. Referred me to books to read about healing rocks rather than being responsive to what I was looking for and helping me find it. I left with much less than I had planned to buy and it was a negative experience. read more

Burnie's used to be one of my favorite places... but after going there yesterday and insulted at every turn by a young person as an older person, I am not sure I will ever go back. I asked about replacing larger claspings on necklaces as I have done in the past. I explained it was harder to see the smaller clasps. the sassy clerk said "when putting on a necklace, trying turning it around so the clasp is in the front." Who would not know to try that? She had no understanding of someone whom starts to lose their eyesight through aging. The supply of repair parts is dismal. I grew up in this neighborhood, and now I wish they would leave.... give the space to some business with better customer skills. read more

Burnie's is a great place to shop, but not a great place to get something repaired. We have spent a lot of money on rocks (husband is a geologist and our wedding centerpieces were purchased here) but when I got my engagement ring repaired the service was not good. Not only did they ruin the integrity of the ring, but the blame was put entirely on me. I ended up with the exact same issue I went in for with the ring, and was out $60. Unfortunately this is our neighborhood store and we'd like to support them as a local business, but since we were treated like visitors to a corporate chain we won't be seeking any further support from Burnie's. Final observation: if they're selling you something on the floor, they'll be great to you. If they're handing something of your's, not so much. read more