Raw crystals, also known as rough crystals, have not been polished or treated. Their surface is typically coarse and uneven, as if chipped off of another rock, or dug up from the ground or a riverbed. 

It’s important to note, most crystals on the market today have been broken down from larger specimens that are too bulky to carry or wear. They’ve also been cleaned of debris, thus implying that even “raw” crystals are not entirely in their original state.

Polished crystals begin in their raw form, but, with human intervention, are tumbled, cut, or sanded into smooth, glossy specimens. In some cases, such as Moonstone and Fluorite, the true beauty of the stone is only fully exposed through polishing. Without it, it’s tougher to discern their rich coloring. Moreover, certain raw crystals are too sharp to wear or even toxic against the skin. By polishing them, their surfaces are stabilized, making them safe to handle and wear.