Entry No. 6 — the Albuquerque file — filed under: witchy
Mama's Minerals
Operating for over 40 years and now located at Avanyu Plaza, this woman-owned rock and mineral emporium houses raw geodes, rare mineral specimens, meteorites, and crystal gridding kits. Beyond raw stones, they carry a wide selection of tarot and oracle decks alongside cleansing herbs like sage and palo santo.
The story
Laura Randolph didn't start with a brick-and-mortar storefront; back in 1985, she spent her weekends hawking raw crystal gemstones and geodes out of Southwest arts and crafts fairs [1.3.1]. Over four decades later, that pop-up hustle has grown into what claims to be the region's largest rock and bead store, now anchored in Avanyu Plaza just east of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
It isn't just a shop for decorative crystals, either. While half the floor space caters to serious rockhounds hunting for lapidary gear, metal detectors, and fossilized shark teeth, the other half pulls in local practitioners sifting through tarot decks, palo santo, and crystal gridding kits. You'll find everything from massive severed geode halves resting on the floor to iron meteorites and raw turquoise waiting to be polished.
What it's like
Walking into the Avanyu Plaza space feels less like a boutique and more like a cavernous geological warehouse where scientific rockhounding and occult spirituality comfortably coexist. You'll navigate glass display cases of raw minerals, open bins of tumbled stones, and wall-to-wall drawers of beads alongside lapidary hobbyists and tarot readers. If you're hunting for bead inventory, drop in on a Friday for their weekly discount hours, and double-check their operating schedule before heading out.
The move: Walk through giant raw geode halves and meteorite displays, then pick out a crystal gridding kit or tarot deck to explore together at home.
- 📍 Avanyu Plaza / Near North Valley
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2500 12th St NW Bldg F, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Meltdown Studio — Pair raw stones and mineral specimens from Mama's Minerals with a hands-on silver jewelry workshop right down the road.
- Back Alley Brujas — Follow up your tarot and crystal browsing with handcrafted silver talismans hidden down an Old Town alleyway.
- The Herb Store — Round out your cleansing sage and gridding supplies with bulk botanicals and medicinal herbs packed into glass jars.
- Painted Lady Bed & Brew — Cap off an afternoon of sifting through meteorites with a craft beer inside an 1881 former brothel and saloon.
Good to know
What kind of items does Mama's Minerals carry?
The store stocks raw geode halves, rare mineral specimens, meteorites, fossils, and lapidary gear alongside tarot decks, crystal gridding kits, and cleansing herbs like sage and palo santo.
Where is Mama's Minerals located in Albuquerque?
It is located in Avanyu Plaza at 2500 12th St NW, Building F, just east of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center near the Near North Valley.
Does Mama's Minerals offer any weekly sales?
Yes, they hold a weekly 'Beading Happy Hour' every Friday with special discounts on beads and beading supplies.
Is Mama's Minerals a local, woman-owned business?
Yes, it is a woman-owned operation founded by Laura Randolph, who started selling Southwestern minerals and geodes in 1985.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site
last checked: 2026-07-21