Not necessarily. Their irregular raw shapes work particularly well for wire wrapping, but pieces intended for drilling, setting or close-to-skin jewellery may need selecting, shaping or finishing first. Natural fractures can also make some pieces unsuitable for drilling.

They can be used in decorative craft projects, but adding crystals to a candle that will actually be burned requires more caution. Manufacturer-added inclusions, including crystals, are a potential fire-safety risk, particularly if they can enter or float in the molten wax pool; a finished candle should therefore be properly risk-assessed and burn-tested rather than assumed safe.

Yes. For loose retail, it is usually more practical to price pieces by size or create simple price bands rather than expect every stone in a pack to have the same retail value. Natural differences in size, shape and weight mean some pieces will inevitably look more substantial than others.

Yes. Unlike tumbled stones, raw crystals retain irregular surfaces and some pieces or points may have sharp or fragile edges. Encourage customers to handle them carefully, and do not position loose raw stones as toys for young children.

It is better not to give one intensive cleaning method for the whole range, as different minerals can respond differently to heat, chemicals and cleaning equipment. A soft dry brush or cloth is a sensible starting point; where appropriate, gentle cleaning with mild soapy water is preferable to strong chemicals, steam or ultrasonic cleaning.