What determines the Price of a
Crystal Skull?
To the novice a crystal that has been carved to resemble a human skull is 'no big deal'. However, those that understand the lapidary arts, know that certain skills and techniques must be employed, even on small skulls, if the carver is to prevent it's fracturing or falling apart before it is finished. And the larger the crystal the more care must be taken. Today's crystal skull sculptors (as well as those of antiquity) must consider the orientation of the crystal's axis, or molecular symmetry. If they carve "against the grain" the carving is likely to shatter. Many hours of painstaking work can be lost with one wrong move. 
This difficulty, of course, varies with the type and size of the crystal - or stone - the carver is working. Many stones, such as marble, are softer and somewhat easy to work and carve. Others are naturally harder and more brittle, putting a premium on the skill needed to produce a quality finished piece. This is why human sized skulls in some of vast varieties of natural materials being carved today can be quite costly - often ranging into many thousands of dollars. Those wishing to acquire - or become a caretaker of - a crystal skull, will find that there are several factors that control and determine their value. These 'factors' must all be considered and weighed against how much you can afford to spend.
Size
Perhaps the single largest factor controlling the price of crystal skulls is size. As with diamonds and other jewels, suitable large raw stones are very difficult to find, placing a premium on their value. Also, depending on the type of crystal, as much as 50 percent of the original crystal is lost during carving. So you can see why, the cost rises so fast when you find a large crystal skull.Type
With the increased interest in crystal skulls, today there are many stones that are being carved by skilled craftsmen. Clear quartz, rose quartz and smoky quartz are just the beginning. We can now easily find skulls in tourmaline, amethyst, citrine, fluorite, marble, onyx, jade, jasper, topaz, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and even corral and petrified wood. The scarcity of some materials will naturally make them prized over others.Quality of the Crystal
A large skull, carved from a very clear quartz crystal is probably the most desirable, but it also the rarest and most expensive. As with all lapidary work, the beauty, uniqueness and clarity of the beginning stone or crystal has a lot to do with desirability and final value of the finished piece. Craftsmanship
In all artistic endeavors the skill of the artisan or carver is evident in the finished piece. Some skulls, especially the smaller ones, are crude and barely resemble their human counterpart. However, there are others that are very intricate and detailed, displaying the style, abilities, and care of their creators. These, works of art, of course, will command a much higher price.Metaphysical Properties
Many people contend that gemstones and minerals have healing powers, as well as mental and physical uses. Various crystals are seen as symbolic with metaphysical significance. It is commonly believed that stones and crystals shaped in the form of human skulls seem to magnify these properties. Many people seek a certain skull based on their desire to attain the powers attributed to a particular stone. A listing of those purported properties can be found at Powers of Crystals. Some skulls with strong powers or 'charge', will be deemed more desirable by knowledgeable caretakers.
_Discount Crystal Skulls - MAIN GATEWAY