Prelude
They come in all shapes, colours, and sizes. They are mysterious and sparkly. But more importantly, they, too, are having a pandemic moment. Crystals and gemstones have long been mankind’s fascination; tribal villages in Ancient Egypt believed amulets made using lapis lazuli or clear quartz can ward off evil while the Aborigines believe in using crystals to communicate with the dead.
This trend is even palpable today with megastars and millennials hopping onto the bandwagon. Case in point: Katy Perry swears by using rose quartz to attract love while Adele has a pre-concert routine involving citrine to calm her jitters. In fact, these gorgeous crystals and gemstones have earned themselves a reputation as spiritual healing tools. Today, crystal sellers who retail these shiny trinkets on Instagram are a dime a dozen.
The Beginning of Well-being Crystals
25-year-old Belicia Sun, founder of local metaphysical store Illa Nocte says crystals are harvested from the earth, and at a time when we are becoming increasingly interconnected with technology, these gemstones may be what we need to stay grounded.
For Belicia, her journey to becoming a crystal-selling entrepreneur began in 2018. “I wanted to do something more meaningful while I was still studying,” says Belicia, who was 22 years old then and pursuing a degree at the University at Buffalo in Singapore Institute of Management. “I was introduced to the world of crystals at a young age. I figured I could use what I learnt in school, especially social media and marketing classes, and my knowledge on crystals to better share my love for crystals to like-minded individuals.”
“Buying crystals is an experience. You are not just buying a physical product that spruces up your home, you are also taking home all the good vibes it carries.”
Belicia Sun, Founder of Illa Nocte on her crystals.
Between Being Student & Boss
And so, she began her online shop, Illa Nocte. In the beginning, she juggled both school and work, only allocating time on the weekend to scour for crystals from wholesalers and marketing them on Instagram. “There were a lot of things I didn’t know, and I needed to learn everything from scratch,” she adds as she recounts her struggles with merchandising and marketing. “I did not want to compromise my studies so I could only do live sales once a month.” As her university operates on a tri-semester basis, the week-long breaks between semesters became crucial for her and her business. On several of these breaks, Belicia, along with her boyfriend, and occasionally her parents would appear at pop-ups to sell her goods.
“It’s nice seeing my customers and talking to them,” she reminisces. “I hope I get to do these again once the pandemic pass.”
It wasn’t until May 2020, when she graduated, that Belicia started putting all her efforts into running the business full-time. At a time of economic uncertainty and a ravaging pandemic, her decision to do so was what one would consider a risky move. Against the backdrop of gym closures, work-from-home arrangements, and seemingly endless loops of virtual meet-ups, the coronavirus pandemic has changed much about people’s lives.
“I don’t think it’s risky. I have grown to love my community and I didn’t really want to give up. I saw potential in the business back then, and I went with it.”
Belicia Sun, Founder of Illa Nocte on growing her crystal venture.
That, of course, includes mental health. Many millennials have turned to alternative medicine or spiritual healing to combat rising anxiety and conflicting emotions. Crystals, tarot card readings, and astrology started seeing a second-coming of sorts amongst this very generation — many of whom may have been unemployed, broken up, or feel depressed during the pandemic.
“I have seen more people turning to crystals and tarot readings during the pandemic. I think it has got to do with seeking consolation or validation. At the end of the day, it’s about surrounding oneself in positivity and picking himself up against setbacks,” Belicia theorised. “We are living in trying times after all.”
Crystals And Spiritual Healing
For the uninitiated, crystals are purported to have healing properties. Some practitioners and collectors believe that crystals possess vibratory properties that help tune your body with its surroundings. “It’s really empowering,” she says. Rose quartz, for instance, are synonymous with promoting love, compassion, and self-love, while Pyrites (otherwise also known as ‘fool’s gold’) are said to attract wealth and prosperity. For those who are looking to ground themselves and ward off negative energies, darker-hued crystals, such as black tourmaline and obsidian, are great choices.
“My customers are always looking to improve different aspects of their lives. Some want to foster love and peace while others may want to improve their career.”
Belicia Sun, Founder of Illa Nocte on those who seek spiritual healing through her crystals.
And yet, Belicia is quick to caution that crystals are not the cure-alls for life’s many woes. “It’s important to consult a doctor when one needs medical help.”
At Illa Nocte, the crystals sold run the gamut from crystal spheres to sparkly geodes, and even intricate crystal carvings. Over the years, the 25-year-old has expanded her collection to include many more: think dainty, handcrafted jewellery, essential oil blends, and even larger-sized statement pieces.
“Priorities. You have got to manage your expectations and set realistic targets. Sometimes, you have to give up some parts of your social life to focus on the business. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s fulfilling.”
Belicia Sun, Founder of Illa Nocte on learnings from her entrepreneurial journey.
All images courtesy of Illa Nocte.
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