Crystal chips are the workhorse of the crystal world. They go into resin art, candle tops, planter dressing, aquariums, jewelry filling, meditation bowls, gift bottles — almost anything you can think of. But before anyone orders, the same three questions always come up:
- How big is a chip, actually?
- How many do I get for 100 g?
- What shape is going to show up?
This guide answers all three with real photos shot from our own stock — no stock images, no guessing.
1. How big is a crystal chip?
Chips are sold by screened size range, not by exact measurement — stone is cracked by nature, so no two chips in a batch are identical. Here is the full range we carry, with everyday objects for scale:
| Size range | Feels like | In inches |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 mm | grain of coarse salt | 0.12–0.20" |
| 5–7 mm | sesame seed to mung bean | 0.20–0.28" |
| 7–9 mm | pea-sized | 0.28–0.35" |
| 9–12 mm | marbles & small beads | 0.35–0.47" |
| 12–15 mm | dime-sized | 0.47–0.59" |
| 15–20 mm | cherry-sized | 0.59–0.79" |
Quick reference with US coins: a dime (17.9 mm) is wider than most 12–15 mm chips, a penny (19.05 mm) is close to one 15–20 mm chip, and a quarter (24.26 mm) is wider than every chip size we sell. (1 cm = 10 mm = 0.39 inch.)
2. How much do I get? 100 g in real pieces
Chips are sold by weight, and 100 g ≈ 3.53 oz. Because a bigger chip weighs more, the piece count drops fast as the size goes up. All four piles below are exactly the same weight and were photographed at the same camera distance, so what you see is a true side-by-side comparison:
| Chip size | Pieces per 100 g | What it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 5–7 mm | 450–550 pcs | resin casting, candle tops, tiny bottles, shaker fills |
| 7–9 mm | 150–170 pcs | bracelet & jewelry filling, small planters, pockets |
| 9–12 mm | 90–100 pcs | decorative bowls, aquariums, display trays |
| 12–15 mm | 35–45 pcs | palm-stone accents, statement jars, single-piece details |
Counts are ranges, not promises. Density changes from stone to stone, and a flat flake weighs less than a chunky nugget of the same width. Order by weight, plan by range.
3. Which chip shape should I choose?
Shape is the one thing we cannot guarantee as a filter — it is decided by the stone type and by the batch. In practice you will meet four shapes:
- ROUND — smooth, rounded pebbles. The most comfortable to hold, which makes it the favourite for pocket stones, palm stones, bracelet filling and anything that touches skin.
- BLOCKY — flat faces & defined edges. Those flat surfaces sit flush, so this is the best pick for resin embedding, mosaics and geometric layouts.
- NUGGET — chunky, rounded shapes. The most natural-looking of the four; ideal for decorative bowls, planter tops, aquariums and displays where you want volume.
- FLAT — thin, flat flakes. Light and easy to glue, perfect for jewelry settings, thin-layer crafts, cards and bookmarks.
Note on the fourth photo: the pale aquamarine chips are shown in hand — very light stones disappear against white paper, and the hand doubles as a scale reference.
Why every batch looks a little different
Chips are a natural material. The same stone type can arrive round in one lot and blocky in the next; size ranges overlap slightly at the edges; colour shifts with the mine and the light. We photograph what is actually in stock, so the pictures above are a fair portrait of a real batch — not a promise of an identical stone.
If your project needs one consistent look (a set of matching bracelets, a mosaic that has to sit flat), buy all the material for that project in one order.
FAQ
Are the sizes exact?
No. Chips are screened through mesh, so a "7–9 mm" lot can hold a 6 mm chip next to a 10 mm one. The range is the promise, not the single stone.
How much do I need for one bracelet?
Plan roughly 15–30 g of chips for a single bracelet depending on size and stone density, and add a little extra — sorting always leaves a few pieces you will not use.
Can I choose the shape?
Not as a filter. Shape follows the stone type and the batch. Tell us your project and we will point you to the lots that fit best.
Do you sell by weight or by piece?
By weight — 100 g, 500 g, 1 kg and up. The piece counts here are typical ranges to help you plan.
Ready to pick yours?
Start with size if you already know your project. Start with shape if you already know your look. And if you are stocking a shop, buying by the kilo keeps your cost per piece lowest.
