Owning one of San Jose’s most popular crystal shop wasn’t always set in stone for Theresa Gepila.

Growing up in Daly City, the 28-year-old never understood the significance of crystals — which are believed by many to hold metaphysical properties and help with people’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Related Articles

Can Saratoga Village’s downward spiral find an upswing?

Los Gatos antiques store pushed out by bookstore chain

Port of Oakland braces for tariff impacts on key trading partners

‘Change is inevitable’: Berkeley OKs demolition of historic theater

Bay Area cuisine thrives on global flavors. Trump’s trade war puts that at risk.

But when Gepila purchased her first few stones in college, the former health science major felt a special connection to them. Her life’s calling — slowly but surely — became crystal clear.

Several years later in May 2024, Gepila opened Bad Witch Crystals in downtown San Jose. She sells dozens of crystals alongside beaded crystal jewelry, home decor and sage. She even offers aura photography sessions, where people can get their portrait taken with a special camera that reveals the colors of their energy field.

The stones are still the star of the show. Each one takes a different shape — rugged, pointed or round — and has a special meaning. Dark purple amethysts can help reduce stress and anxiety. Translucent green-purple fluorite promotes mental clarity and focus. Fiery red-orange carnelian brings courage and confidence.

“Crystals are such a personal experience especially when you’re picking them for yourself,” Geilpe said recently, sitting near shelves and bins stocked with the precious gems. “I think when you’re able to see them in-person, touch them in-person, its a different type of connection that you’re making with the stone.”

We recently asked Gepila about her experience collecting crystals and running Bad Witch Crystals. Her answers are edited for length and clarity.

Q: How did you get into crystals and this really niche area?

A: It was honestly very sudden. I didn’t grow up buying crystals or anything like that. I was in college and I went on a trip to Seattle and something was just drawing me to go to a crystal shop. I felt like I was getting to a point in my life where I needed clarity and I didn’t know where to go … From there I just became hooked on them. I loved how they made me feel empowered about the decisions I was making. It just kind of grew into this really big collection and eventually the store.

Q: How did it work, did you collect crystals then realized you wanted to sell it and make different trinkets?

A: I started collecting crystals, and then I would post pictures on Instagram. I wanted to meet people who collected crystals like I did. My family didn’t really care for crystals and my friends didn’t care for it. I made an Instagram to share the new pieces. A lot of people would message me and ask me if they were for sale.

Eventually I was like, ‘Oh let me try and pick a few pieces.’ I feel like people liked the eye I had for crystals atheistically. I would sell a few pieces and then COVID happened. There was this huge crystal boom, and then from there it kind of took off … I think since everyone was at home, it was really popular to just go on livestream on Instagram and look at crystals.

I was doing the business from my mom’s place for so long that it felt like it was time to make the next step. I felt like I was being called to eventually just have it in person.

Q: What do crystals mean to you? How would you describe your relationship with them?

A: They’re honestly my whole life. They helped me through so much. I always felt like I was called to do something within this realm. Crystals were kind of my outlet to manifest that life I’ve always envisioned for myself.

Q: Where do your crystals come from?

A: They come from all over the world. I’ve very particular about pieces that I bring into my shop so I actually travel to gem shows in the U.S. There are two big ones, one in Denver and Tucson, Arizona. They only happen twice a year and that’s when vendors from all over the world come.

I go through boxes and boxes, picking out everything just because I’m so particular about what I offer to my customers. I’m always trying to get the best deals so its a lot of work.

Q: How did you come up with the name Bad Witch Crystals?

A: It was kind of a motivational thing I would say to myself all the time … I would always say I’m a bad bitch to encourage myself. When I started selling crystals, I was like, ‘What is something I naturally always say?’ And then I was like, let me switch it, because that goes with crystals.

Q: What are your favorite crystals?

A: I love the amethyst, the petalite and cellulite. I love larger home decor pieces. I feel like they just bring a sense of calm and peace into your home when you walk in.

Q: Is there a particular piece or pieces that customers are drawn to?

A: People love the small little tumbled ones. Some particular stones I notice that do well are labradorite, as well as fluorites. I recommend people start off with the small ones because they are a lot more affordable. You can also pick and see which stones you are drawn to the most before starting a collection.

Q: What kind of response have you gotten from your customers, and how does it make you feel?

A: In San Jose, there are times where it can be a little slow. But in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve gotten a lot of repeat customers, lot of regulars and they love coming back here. I think it’s because they know the care that I put into my shop. I think they know that I’ll take care of them, that all the pieces I stand by and are at a really good price.

Theresa Gepila
Age: 28

Job title: Owner, Bad Witch Crystals

Residence: San Jose

Hometown: Daly City

Education: Bachelor’s degree in health science at California State University, Fullerton

Five facts about Theresa:

1. She describes herself as being “very impulsive” with her hobbies. If she wants to learn something new, she’ll learn it very quickly.

2. Her astrological sign is a Pisces.

3. She likes to work out and do pilates and yoga.

4. She’s a huge fan of the Japanese entertainment company, Sanrio. If she can find crystals that are shaped as Sanrio characters, like Hello Kitty, she’ll buy them.

5. Her experience with running an online business started in high school, when she would sell clothes on eBay.