Where it’s not “just a rock”
Hi, I’m Adam — the guy behind TopRockShop.
I’ve been selling online since the early days of e-commerce, when a close friend — who was deeply into computers — showed me how to list items on eBay, from taking photos to researching part numbers, details, and retail prices. He taught me everything, and from that point on, I was hooked.
Before crystals, I spent nearly 10 years selling lucky bamboo plants imported from China and Taiwan, which introduced me to feng shui and the idea of energy in natural elements. They allowed me to express my artistic side and brought out my creativity.
That said… live plants are not exactly the easiest thing to ship. No matter how much I loved them (and selling online), it was a great learning experience — especially when it came to wrapping, packaging, and shipping techniques that still come in handy today.
Around that time, as a side hustle, I was also helping small businesses get their products listed online. One of those businesses belonged to someone in the natural health and energy space, and she introduced me to crystals and minerals — which completely changed everything for me.
At first, I was just organizing and listing her inventory. What started as the equivalent of data entry turned into hours of research, learning names, and double-checking everything — back when finding accurate information — even online — actually took time. It meant a lot of scrolling, cross-referencing, and double (sometimes triple) checking just to be sure you had your facts right.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t just listing products — I was retaining everything I was learning, including the spelling of scientific names, many of which I still may not be pronouncing correctly.
That was a big deal for me because, in school, retaining information was always something I struggled with. So the fact that all of this was sticking and genuinely resonating with me was a surprise.
After putting her entire inventory online, I ended up keeping one of every stone type she had for myself… which, in hindsight, may have been the start of a bit of an obsession.
From there, I wanted to learn even more — not just names, but how to truly identify stones. Almost everything I know today is self-taught, with guidance from more experienced collectors. In the beginning of my journey, one of the most effective (and fun) ways I learned was by purchasing 55 lb bulk boxes of mixed tumbled and polished stones, as well as rough, natural material, and comparing them side by side.
These mixes come from different countries all over the world, and they’re never labeled — just a wide variety with different colors, patterns, textures, weight, etc. Learning to recognize the same material in both its rough and polished state became something I really focused on. Over time, that became a specialty, and I’ve had people bring me stones they’ve owned for years just to help identify them — and sometimes even try to test me, which may require a second guess.
While many sellers in this space focus on working their way up to larger and more expensive pieces, I found my niche in the opposite direction. I’ve always been drawn to smaller stones — pieces that are beautiful, unique, and full of character.
Smaller stones, especially tumbled and polished ones, are often overlooked and underappreciated, but they have a lot to offer. They’re accessible, versatile, durable, and each one still has its own individuality — something I’ve always appreciated.
It turned out to be a perfect fit. Focusing on smaller specimens allowed me to build my business and my collection without needing massive space or huge upfront investments, while still offering pieces that people genuinely connect with.
Today, TopRockShop is built on that same curiosity, hands-on learning, and attention to detail. I personally source and purchase everything in my current inventory with a business mindset heavily focused on origin and authenticity; however, every crystal, mineral, and fossil I sell is carefully selected with a collector’s eye. Each piece I list is chosen for its quality and uniqueness, then photographed as accurately as possible so you know exactly what you’re getting. What you see is what you get.
My promise to you is that I won’t sell anything here unless it’s something that I would purchase myself.
No filters, no surprises — just real, natural pieces from the earth.
Whether you’re a long-time collector or just starting out, I want you to feel confident in your purchase and connected to what you’re receiving.
Thanks for being here and supporting a small business — it truly means a lot.
I’ve been selling online since the early days of e-commerce, when a close friend — who was deeply into computers — showed me how to list items on eBay, from taking photos to researching part numbers, details, and retail prices. He taught me everything, and from that point on, I was hooked.
Before crystals, I spent nearly 10 years selling lucky bamboo plants imported from China and Taiwan, which introduced me to feng shui and the idea of energy in natural elements. They allowed me to express my artistic side and brought out my creativity.
That said… live plants are not exactly the easiest thing to ship. No matter how much I loved them (and selling online), it was a great learning experience — especially when it came to wrapping, packaging, and shipping techniques that still come in handy today.
Around that time, as a side hustle, I was also helping small businesses get their products listed online. One of those businesses belonged to someone in the natural health and energy space, and she introduced me to crystals and minerals — which completely changed everything for me.
At first, I was just organizing and listing her inventory. What started as the equivalent of data entry turned into hours of research, learning names, and double-checking everything — back when finding accurate information — even online — actually took time. It meant a lot of scrolling, cross-referencing, and double (sometimes triple) checking just to be sure you had your facts right.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t just listing products — I was retaining everything I was learning, including the spelling of scientific names, many of which I still may not be pronouncing correctly.
That was a big deal for me because, in school, retaining information was always something I struggled with. So the fact that all of this was sticking and genuinely resonating with me was a surprise.
After putting her entire inventory online, I ended up keeping one of every stone type she had for myself… which, in hindsight, may have been the start of a bit of an obsession.
From there, I wanted to learn even more — not just names, but how to truly identify stones. Almost everything I know today is self-taught, with guidance from more experienced collectors. In the beginning of my journey, one of the most effective (and fun) ways I learned was by purchasing 55 lb bulk boxes of mixed tumbled and polished stones, as well as rough, natural material, and comparing them side by side.
These mixes come from different countries all over the world, and they’re never labeled — just a wide variety with different colors, patterns, textures, weight, etc. Learning to recognize the same material in both its rough and polished state became something I really focused on. Over time, that became a specialty, and I’ve had people bring me stones they’ve owned for years just to help identify them — and sometimes even try to test me, which may require a second guess.
While many sellers in this space focus on working their way up to larger and more expensive pieces, I found my niche in the opposite direction. I’ve always been drawn to smaller stones — pieces that are beautiful, unique, and full of character.
Smaller stones, especially tumbled and polished ones, are often overlooked and underappreciated, but they have a lot to offer. They’re accessible, versatile, durable, and each one still has its own individuality — something I’ve always appreciated.
It turned out to be a perfect fit. Focusing on smaller specimens allowed me to build my business and my collection without needing massive space or huge upfront investments, while still offering pieces that people genuinely connect with.
Today, TopRockShop is built on that same curiosity, hands-on learning, and attention to detail. I personally source and purchase everything in my current inventory with a business mindset heavily focused on origin and authenticity; however, every crystal, mineral, and fossil I sell is carefully selected with a collector’s eye. Each piece I list is chosen for its quality and uniqueness, then photographed as accurately as possible so you know exactly what you’re getting. What you see is what you get.
My promise to you is that I won’t sell anything here unless it’s something that I would purchase myself.
No filters, no surprises — just real, natural pieces from the earth.
Whether you’re a long-time collector or just starting out, I want you to feel confident in your purchase and connected to what you’re receiving.
Thanks for being here and supporting a small business — it truly means a lot.