The Fossil Cartel

I want to love Fossil Cartel, but I just can’t. I’ve worked in sales for a long time and I understand the need to protect your business from theft, especially when the product in this case is typically pocket size. However, I am not a shoplifter. I am a rookie collector who over the past years have spent thousands on my collection and would appreciate being treated as such.
Fossil Cartel is a great place to start your collection if you’re looking for smaller specimens, but not so much for collector pieces. They just don’t tend to rotate the stock on their larger pieces or carry much variety of large (i.e. expensive) specimens. This is fine. I still enjoy this place and in the past month have found plenty of specimens that I loved (despite being treated like a shoplifter for the ½ hour of each of my visits).
The owner is a peach. She is so helpful and knowledgeable and I love shopping when she’s there. Some of the staff (though not all), I’ve had less than pleasant experiences where I’ve been followed to the point of ruining my shopping experience and been given less than great customer service. When I asked one employee if she would bring out any other specimens of the types I was looking at, she replied with «what you see out is pretty much what we have» and wouldn’t bring out anything from their back stock despite having other employees pull from the back so I could find the exact piece I wanted several times. Call me picky but I find this inconsistency discouraging.
Overall, I find Fossil Cartel to be a pleasant place to observe some nice specimens but if you’re looking for a place to view grade A minerals or to be treated as a serious collector I have trouble with fully recommending a visit.

Lots of tumbled gems & raw stones. Decently priced, some things by the gram. Every crystal & stone usually has a jewelry piece that is close to it. Workers are helpful & very inviting. Good energy. My 5 month old loves looking at all the beautiful colors. Organized very well.

This owner is fabulous procuring a very interesting range of beads and an extensive, well picked assortment of minerals and fossils to say the least… Prices are extremely fair.

I’ve been a regular customer, and have always enjoyed looking at all of the unique crystals the Fossil Cartel carries. If I can’t find it at one of my other favorite crystals shops, it’s a good bet that I can find it at Fossil Cartel.
Sadly my last two visits in the new store have been uncomfortable, to the point of not wanting to shop there anymore. Several months back I took my friend, her fiancé and their 1 year old to visit the Fossil Cartel for the first time. I couldn’t stop talking about how much I loved the store, and couldn’t wait for them to see it! During our visit we were followed around by an older gentleman who was running the shop. We all felt uncomfortable, like we were being watched for fear of shop lifting. We weren’t able to enjoy our visit, and didn’t stay long.
I hadn’t been back since, and then when I visited recently, the same thing happened. I was followed around, and the older gentleman would turn to face me wherever I moved. I couldn’t enjoy looking around and ended up leaving the store empty handed. I can understand with the location and the small items that you carry, you’re fearful of shoplifters, but as a frequent customer I don’t think I can return. Sad!

I used to shop at The Fossil Cartel at the Galleria back in the day, Then I followed them to the Pioneer Place. One day I was in Pioneer Place and noticed that they were gone without a trace, I assumed they had gone out of business. Luckily I stumbled upon their new location.
It is filled with rocks and fossils, in nice displays, for your collection, or as Jewelry etc
It is a dangerous store for me. They have so many cool things. I don’t know that I have ever made it out without something… really nice rock bookends, a bowl made of stone with fossils ($ 28 on my last visit…) This is why I have to limit my visits.
The selection is great, and the prices seem reasonable but then I haven’t done comparison shopping (who else carries this stuff?) The staff really is knowledgeable and friendly. They make it seem like they like answering questions. Even if you don’t want to ask they will often approach to tell you about what you are trying to figure out… Then they are off about their business leaving you to explore.
Tip: if you are looking at the rocks and minerals in the bins, check out the bottom! People often hide their favorites there thinking they will come back later.
If you need something extra spendy they do layaways. On my last visit the most expensive temptation for me was about $ 130 a large stone with several fossil fish and most things were well under that.
It is a really cool shop that feels like a museum, If you haven’t been and like rocks or fossils or are gift shopping for someone who does you should check this place out.

I love shopping for new jewelry pieces or things to make gifts for friends and family. They have recently moved so i had to go a little further to get what i was looking for. But still the same great stuff and friendly staff.

I’ve never been in a crystal or stone store, ever. I loved this. They were so extremely helpful with showing me what I was looking for plus showing me all my options and giving me ideas (in a friendly, not pushy sales way).
They knew their stuff.
So friendly and helpful.
Didn’t linger, let me browse and admire independently but there when I had questions.
Their selection was huge and they wire for you.
I left so happy.

I have been a customer for over 15 years and every time I visit I discover something new. This is one of the best places to find gifts in Portland. Thanks Fossil Cartel!