Patricia has collected stones since she was a kid, and James has always been interested in anything unusual. For years they fed their appetites for both stones and music as regular customers of Goddess Elite, then owned by well-known crystal worker Robert Tyhulski. Tyhulski, who opened the store in 1985, also mined crystals in Arkansas, some of which are still in the store today. When he passed away four years ago, the Sieverts approached his family to buy Goddess Elite. After two years of assessing the unique inventory, the sale was complete.

With the purchase came the usual items—fixtures, customer list, bags, store sign—and a true gem of an inventory: 2,000 pounds (a ton!) of raw specimen crystals, barrels of spheres and polished points, bags of tumbled stones, more than 400 brass Hindu statues, and a selection of magnificent, one-of-a-kind, hand-carved Buddhas, not to mention 5,000 CDs, many of which are now out of press. A bit overwhelming for the new owners, but nothing these crystal buffs couldn’t handle!

Sorting and inventorying all the crystals and stones garnered from around the world was a monumental job. Goddess Elite’s unsurpassed collection includes clear-quartz crystals from Brazil, Arkansas, Peru, Tibet, and India, sold both by the piece and the pound; raw, polished, and carved fluorite; Lemurian seed crystals; natural and polished spheres; carved animals, hearts, and moons; and a huge variety of tumbled stones. Some of the most amazing pieces include a 5-pound turquoise Buddha ($325 retail), a 6-pound clear-quartz seated Buddha ($400 retail), and an antique carved jade Buddha with a money bag and dragon ($1,200 retail).

When asked the important question "What is your favorite stone?" James doesn’t hesitate to claim Mookite (Australian jasper) and zebra agate as his favorites. Patricia confesses amethyst is her top pick. (And no wonder, the color purple suits her beautifully! See picture on p. 68.) But when it comes to their inherited inventory, the Sieverts consider the collection of 20 crystal phalluses—one weighing 6 pounds and another measuring 20 inches—to be the most unusual items they now possess.

Goddess Elite stocks a nice selection of Egyptian and Pagan statuary, Gonesh incense (www.gonesh.com), gemstone candleholders, and jewelry. Most of the gemstone pendants Goddess Elite sells are considered gender neutral. Local artists provide wire-wrapped stone pendants, and silver jewelry from Dryad Design (www.dryaddesign.com) rounds out its selection.

While music is still a large part of the store, much of the original inventory (especially older titles) is being sold on eBay, which raises cash and space for current titles. Out-of-press CDs sell from 99 cents to more than $42 ($10 average) on eBay auctions.

Although they hope to add a part-time employee in the near future, the Sieverts currently staff the store themselves six days a week. Most customers are beginners, new to crystals and metaphysics and often with small budgets. Trying to keep prices low has challenged the profit margins. The bottom line is helped by regional energy workers and long-standing loyal customers who purchase the larger specimen stones and signature pieces. Patricia holds the vision of offering a higher-end jewelry line, chalices and other ritual items, and more classes to better serve their clientele.

Note to retailers: The Sieverts are happy to take special wholesale requests for specimen stones from other store owners. In fact, they hope to exhibit at retail and wholesale gem shows in the future. Just give them a call with your customers’ requests—their amazing collection would make them a favorite vendor no matter where they go.