I finally made it to Rare Earth pto utilize a gift certificate that I had gotten for Christmas and I was really excited to see all the different crystals they had on display in the store. They have a beautiful variety from all over and the staff was knowledgeable which helped me decide which crystals to buy. They teach classes at this location and they have a great room set up for you to make different types of jewelry. I can't wait to go back and try one of the classes. Be prepared though the parking lot is shared with a very popular restaurant and parking is at a premium. read more

This is such a beautiful shop! I instantly felt more relaxed walking in. The shopkeeper was incredibly gracious and must've thanked us for coming in at least 3x. We ended up purchasing a few small crystals and some bead strands. I found the prices to be very reasonable! The selection is astounding! If you're a crystal person, you'll absolutely love looking at all the beautiful options here. She also has a huge selection of crystal beads (actually crystals, not like Swarovski crystals, though she might have some of those in the bead room). She teaches classes, too, but it's a bit too far for me to drive. Would love to take them! We'll absolutely be back! Random observation: There are a bunch of 1 star reviews for this shop, all for the same reason of the store hours differing from the website. All of the reviews are from Yelpers with only one review, which I find highly suspicious. Pay them no mind, this is a wonderful crystal and bead shop that you shouldn't pass up! read more

Rare Earth - The crystal shop is next to the book store. Just follow the incense scent :) - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

this place is amazing, they have everything you could want and more. Real natural gem stone beads! The staff is very helpful to advise in problem solving on your project, just ask them. I love going here. read more

Great customer service!!! All the employees were extremely helpful and well mannered.

Rare Earth Beads is my favorite crystal shop! Not only is the staff always so nice and welcoming, but the shop has the best vibes and the best selection! Support your local small businesses! Rare Earth Beads is the best. read more

Rare Earth - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

I had been carrying around a baggie of broken, but beloved, delicate and inexpensive necklaces. I stopped by on the off-chance an employee could repair these necklaces for me, and they did! They were enthusiastic and inventive, and I'm happy with the results. (Maybe you guys deserve a tip jar for your work? I felt like I was walking off with a steal. What a good price!) I don't make necklaces myself (obvi), but I recommend Rare Earth. The store is fun to browse even as a non-crafter/maker, and in a good location if you want to also grab a coffee and browse books at the places next door. Rare Earth has a lot of fun fossils and crystals to look at, too. read more

So cute, best prices I've ever seen at a crystal/bead shop. Employees were friendly but not constantly hovering.

I probably would've never stop in rare earth beads if my friend hadn't been visiting me but I am grateful that I did. We were recommended this bead shop by everyday magic because my friend was looking for someone to wrap her stones. When we entered my friend immediately fell in love. She found several stones that she loved. The staff that was there knew a lot about the stones. The best part was the prices of the stones. If you want authentic beautiful and great priced stones this is the place. In the photo she purchased the 2 that has the loop for necklace. read more

Rare Earth - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Absolutely love this shop! Has such a great selection of beads. Fun clearance section of stringed beads too! The owner was so nice and helpful. read more

I could have bought what I get from Rare Earth Bead Shop off the internet for less money. But I really believe in supporting local businesses, particularly now. On Saturday, I checked the web site for opening hours, and took a 20 minute drive to get there about 30 minutes after opening. Walked in the store and the maskless clerk said: C: We are actually not open. Me: What? C: We are not open yet. We don't open until noon. Me: Your website said you open at 11:00 C: The sign on the door says noon. Me. I can't see your door from my house. C: (dismissively) Just be sure to call first next time. Thank you. I will be sure to call first next time....to a different bead store. Glad you don't need my business, I was worried that you might have to close as so many other local stores have! read more

Delightful shop full of beautiful crystals and beads of all types. The staff was friendly and helpful as we wandered through the store in search of specific crystals. Best part was how affordable the stones are here compared to the places we've been before! read more

See all

If visited the store today and the lady was very helpful and friendly. I will go back one day if I really need something. The drive is about 40 minutes but worth it considering there are not the many bead stores. You just have to shop online. I'm touchy person and looking me to see my stuff I'm purchasing. read more

David, Adrienne and Parker are great company while shopping! They are very informative, patient and pleasant. I am new to crystals so I am very inquisitive about meanings, rarities, etc, even if they do get annoyed they maintain an even temper(it does not show ;) I have become a regular and have become apart of their customer appreciation rewards where purchases accumulate credits, which makes shopping a bonus. I have bought quite a few display pieces, they are affordable and authentic forever a customer read more

This was my second trip to this bead shop, the internet claims the store opens at 11:00 am, only to arrive and find out that the store actually opens at 12:00. I was excited to return the next day after reading the reviews for a beads. The store did not have any customers, so I walked around looking at the product. Good selection but they did not have what I needed. The store rates zero for customer service. They must be doing very well during the pandemic because they elect to let money walk out because of poor customer service. I would not recommend this store, I will order my beads from the internet. read more

I drive 30 minutes to pick up something quick at Rare Earth only to find it doesn't open until 12. Before leaving, I checked online and on Mapquest (which is where most people go to check business hours) which says the store opens at 11. I waited outside the store for 20 minutes while the woman inside did random tasks like lighting incense, etc. She waited until after 12 to open the door (knowing someone was waiting outside) and when she did, she told me to move away in a very rude manner so she could put the sign out. I told her politely she might want to update the hours online and she corrected me saying they were accurate...? I then proceeded to show her the incorrect hours when she changed her story and said a previous employee was in charge of the website and left upset and mad one day and I guess abandoned the website? The whole experience was weird... had I purchased what I needed online it would have been 1/2 the cost. I would like to support local businesses but this was a crummy experience. read more

I frequent the Rare Earth Bead Shop after Sunday brunch at Guglhupf, mostly for their fine selection of .925 silver clasps and hooks, as I am always upgrading my cheap jewelry---those earrings from Target, for example---and repairing my nicer items. I find the silver accoutrements to be very reasonably priced: $6 will get you a nice little baggie of silver earring hooks or circle jumps, for example, and they've got all shapes, styles, and sizes. I've also purchased some great jewelry pliers here for about $12. Decent selection! They've got lots of lovely pendants and baubles and beads for your jewelry making project. The semiprecious stones are organized by color, which I find both helpful and aesthetically pleasing. There is often a small jewelry making class going on in the back room, which often means there isn't anyone at the register when you walk in. Just be sure to get the attention of the instructor when you first enter (say hello, for example) so they know you're there; they'll come out to assist after you've had a minute to browse. I find the staff here very friendly. Nice place! read more

Contrary to the other reviews, I have had a very good experience here. Service: When i walked it, the lady behind the counter was very friendly. after a few minutes, she asked me if i needed any help finding anything. once i left, she said "Have a nice evening!". So Five stars for service. Quality: lots of different beads, and MANY semi-precious gems. Beautiful glass and that carved metal stuff with that name in french that i cant remember. Five Stars. Price: Kinda Expensive- 30 cents for some of the beads (indiv.), and more for gems (getting up to $1.25 for some of the nicer ones). 3 Stars for price. read more

best crystal selection in the triangle + best prices . if you're rock obsessed and in the area you have to know about this place.

This shop has a really good selection of metals and semi-precious stones. It also has room to move around and sit, which is nice. The only downside is parking is tight during lunch hour, as the parking lot is shared with Guglhupf. read more

Family friends with the owner but I honestly can say the beads are even more beautiful in person !!!

This was my first journey to this store and will be my last. The internet says the store opens at 11 so ventured the 25 minutes only to find a sheet of paper on the door proclaiming their start time as noon. That was aggravating. I am new to beading. I am working a knitted shawl that requires beads and I have never put beads on my knitting so was hoping for some 'expert' assistance, along with supporting local businesses. There were NO other customers. I explained what I was looking for and was shown the multitude of racks of beads, spacers, and crimping something or others and then she walked away. Spacers and crimping will not be needed, so much for 'expert' assistance. To say the person in the shop was 'frosty' would do a disservice to frost. No small talk pleasantries, no interest in my project, and obviously no help in my purchase. I asked how many beads are on a string and she said, you can count, right? Ugh! No need for snark. She even forgot to ring up 2 strands of beads so I had to wait for a new transaction to be started. After waiting an hour to get into the store, having such negligent service with no other customers in the store, and snark to boot. UGH! It's so hard to support local, drive the 25 minutes at today's outrageous gas prices, wait for an hour, only to get poor quality customer service with an attitude. read more

Despite their lack of online presence, Rare Earth competes with digital stores and local brick/mortars through their typically high quality crystals. I have bought a few dozen rare specimens over the past year there and am always excited for new stock. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable -- always offering to lend a hand (especially if you are new and look lost). They are willing to perform authenticity checks and show you how, so you know there is nothing to hide. The elderly man that owns the store travels often and is quite talented at finding unique collections. Usually seems to sense out when crystals on the show floor reflect a quality batch. He admittedly is not the most tech savvy and probably has no clue the hours are wrong on Google. The women usually working also know a good deal on beading, but I do not sense that's his forte. Best selections and prices in Durham by far. read more

Really upset that I drove 45 minutes from Garner on Monday, my day off, when the website says that they are open from 10-6, only to find that they are in fact closed on Mondays. read more

I want to like this shop. It's beautiful, and stocks some high quality semi-precious gemstone beads. That being said, some of the prices are outrageous, and if you're a guy wandering the store you will be summarily ignored. The parking situation is an absolute nightmare-- the shop only has two dedicated spaces, and the Guglhuph is consistently packed. I went on Friday and literally circled the parking lot eleven times before managing to catch someone coming out of a space. read more

I brought in a simple, beaded necklace for repair and experienced the worst, most disorganized service I have had in the triangle. Not sure how they stay in business! Initially, they gave me an outrageous quote to fix it, then kept it weeks---always putting me off when I inquired about it. After weeks of waiting for my item and broken promises from them, they returned the item to me broken!!. Save yourself the headache, shop elsewhere. This place is a nightmare when it comes to repairs. read more

I was asked, by a repeat customer of my artisan business, to find a particular color focal for him. Usually I source my elements from Los Angeles, but I needed to find some possibilities locally in a short period of time. The three employees greeted me, sought to help me, and were kind and welcoming. My other two experiences here, early the year, due to a quick customer request, were also exceptional. There are high quality selections here, too, and value as well. Thank you! read more

My favorite bead and finding shop in the triangle by far. The staff is knowledgeable and gets to know their customers by name. They have a huge selection of gemstones and semiprecious stone beads and sterling,copper, brass, and gold filled findings. Anything they don't have they are usually happy to order for you. David the owner is great offering a personal touch and helps identify stones when I'm stumped on what something is. It's well run and the prices are good. Worth the drive! read more

I travel around US quite a bit for work and whenever I get to new city, I always look for bead shops. This is a great one. Lots of great quality beads, semi-precious stones, rocks and crystals. Fair prices and definitely beads that you don't see everyday. read more

I actually left without purchasing the beads I found because the elderly gentleman with some missing teeth who was waiting on me claimed he didn't understand what a basic silver lobster clasp was. What? I won't waste my time going here again. read more

I can not speak for experienced "beaders", but for a novice like myself, I could not have been more pleased with the offer of help and the selection of beads. I went in to learn to make a specific kind of bracelet for a one time thing, but I came out wanting to make more. the selection of classes they offer looks so interesting, and Melissa was so patient and encouraging. She actually stayed 2 hours after closing so that I could master it enough to teach my grandchildren at Grandcamp next week. The owner has only had the business for a little over 2 months, and she is very nice and very helpful. You won't find the kind of service described in previous reviews from the previous owner. read more

A decent store for semi-precious stones. It has a growing Czech glass selection and some seed beads. It's the only shop in the area with a good selection of Swarovski crystal beads. I'm a bead weaver, so I'd love more seed beads and a wider selection of rivolis, fancy shape crystals and the new shaped beads. But the store has become more friendly and is building its inventory. It's definitely worth checking out. read more

Great variety of beautiful beads, and the owner often brings new interesting items. Always a pleasure to go in there, and I always find more that I want to buy than I came in for! read more