Treasures are easy to find at the Rock Garden in Branford. Whether you are a jewelry lover, jewelry creator, or enjoy the metaphysical elements, the Rock Garden is your oasis. Located on South Main Street in Branford, it is the place to go to if you love jewelry or making it.
When walking in, you are greeted with a case of gorgeous pendants and rings of various crystals and price points on one side. On the other side, there are shelves of various cards, and essential oils for whatever purpose you wish it to serve. As you journey deeper into the store, there are shelves upon shelves of crystals to choose from.
However, if DIY is more your vibe, there are thousands of different and gorgeous beads and findings to choose from, such as brass and silver plate to sterling silver to gold fill. What’s nice about purchasing beads from the Rock Garden is that the beads and materials vary in terms of price to satisfy every budget. Beads can range from less than $10 a strand to over $100. However, the quality of the beads, even on the lower end, are still really great.
As someone who makes jewelry as a hobby, one thing I will say is that the prices are very reasonable for what you get. For example, the price for a foot of sterling silver chain is $4.95 a foot, making the price for an 18 inch chain without findings about $6. Add in some crystal beads, eye pins, and a clasp, the necklace itself will cost you less than $20 to make. This makes it easier than ever to create a piece that is unique and totally customized to your taste at an assessable price, especially as they can go between $30 to $40.
One thing I really appreciate about the Rock Garden is the service. Every time I go there, whether it’s for beads or just for jewelry, the staff is always so helpful and patient. Furthermore, they are so knowledgeable when it comes to having questions about beads as well, which I really like. Sometimes it can be intimidating to have questions, and they are very approachable.
However, the Rock Garden sells way more than just jewelry. As mentioned earlier, they have a ton of crystals and other unique items such as dream catchers, and essential oils — just to name a few.
And while the Rock Garden has an online shop, I highly recommend making the trip there if possible. It is one of those places that is just so fun to walk around, and when you leave, you just feel good on the inside. It is definitely a place that I enjoy visiting for many reasons, but one of the main ones is that it allows me to embrace my creative side, which has been a goal of mine in 2024.
And, as there’s so many DIY TikToks that show people making their own jewelry, it is nice to have something like that in our very own Nutmeg state.
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