So you’re curious about crystal singing bowls…

As an authorized Crystal Tones® partner, I can help you with your search for your bowl(s). On this page you’ll find some information and tips to help you on this journey. If you have questions or are interested in setting up a consultation to purchase a bowl(s), please email me at soundandsoulsf@gmail.com. Find my full inventory of available Crystal Singing Bowls here.

Types of Bowls

Frosted Bowls

Frosted bowls are the most commonly used type of crystal singing bowl due to their powerful resonance, grounding sound, and affordable price point. These bowls are thick-walled and emit deep, resonant tones that are easily heard and felt. Their durable design makes them perfect for beginners and for use in group sound baths. They are typically a lower price-point than the bowl categories listed below. 

Price: depending on size/tuning/producer, they can cost anywhere from $100-$600

Pros: lower price point, durability, volume

Cons: larger, heavier, shorter sustain

Alchemy Bowls

Alchemy crystal singing bowls from Crystal Tones® are my personal favorite type of singing bowl. They are beautiful, artisan-crafted bowls made with pure quartz and infused with precious metals, gemstones, and rare earth elements such as gold, ruby, platinum, and amethyst. These bowls are renowned for their elevated vibrational frequencies and unique, complex tones that go beyond traditional singing bowls.

Each bowl is one-of-a-kind, with variations in color, texture, and sound depending on the materials used in its creation. The combination of crystal and alchemical elements amplifies their healing properties, making them especially popular among sound healers and spiritual practitioners.

Alchemy bowls produce ethereal, multidimensional sounds that are both soothing and transformative. These bowls have an incredible sustain (i.e. you can play the bowl, stop, and it can continue producing sound for a minute or two). They are often used for deep meditative work, energy clearing, and personal transformation. Due to their beauty and powerful energy, they are considered sacred instruments and are often treated as art pieces.

Price: depending on size/tuning/alchemy, they can cost anywhere from $700 - $7,000 (or more)

Pros: quality, purity of sound, sustain, light-weight, visually stunning

Cons: higher price-point, fragile

Practitioner Bowls

Practitioner bowls are handheld crystal singing bowls designed for ease of movement and direct energy work. These bowls typically come with a handle that allows the practitioner to move around a space or directly target specific areas of a person's energy field.

These bowls are typically small to medium-sized and lightweight, making them convenient for one-on-one sessions, as the sound and vibration can be focused precisely where it’s needed. Practitioner bowls are also useful for clearing spaces and energizing specific chakras or areas of the body.

They are typically priced slightly higher than a comparable, standard singing bowl.

Price: depending on size/tuning/alchemy, they can cost anywhere from $1,100 - $6,000 (or more)

Pros: portability, direct application, purity of sound

Cons: higher price point, can be tiring to hold

Considerations

Budget

When someone approaches me to purchase a singing bowl, the first question I ask is about their budget. Understanding your spending range helps guide the selection process—from the category of bowls we'll explore to the number of bowls you may want to purchase, as well as factors like size and alchemy blends.

You might be "bowl-curious" and looking to start with a single frosted quartz bowl for around $200. Or perhaps you're ready to invest in an alchemy bowl priced at $800 or more, or even build out a stunning set with a flexible budget. No matter where you are on your journey, we will find the perfect bowl(s) to meet your needs.

Note

When guiding clients in purchasing singing bowls, my second most important consideration is the specific note(s) they are seeking in their bowl(s).

Each bowl resonates with a distinct note, ranging from A to G. These notes carry both sonic and energetic significance:

• Sonic Impact: The note of a bowl influences how it harmonizes with other bowls or instruments, creating rich, layered soundscapes. If you plan to use your bowl alongside other instruments or as part of a set, it's essential to consider how its note/pitch integrates within a particular key or frequency range.

• Energetic Impact: Each note also corresponds to a specific chakra or layer of the endocrine system (see below), making bowl selection a powerful tool for targeted sound healing.

Chakra Notes:

C - root chakra

D - sacral chakra

E - solar plexus chakra

F - heart chakra

G - throat chakra

A - third eye chakra

B - crown chakra

Endocrine Notes:

C# - sexual

D# - adrenals

F# - thymus

G# - thyroid

A# - pineal

Tuning

As you begin your search for singing bowls, you’ll notice that many bowls are labeled with both a note and a tuning adjustment (typically shown as a +/- number following the note). For example, you might see a bowl listed as C-15. This indicates that the bowl is tuned to a C note but is slightly flatter (lower in pitch) than a standard C, specifically by 15 cents (a small unit of frequency measurement). Similarly, a bowl labeled B+25 is tuned to a B note but is slightly sharper (higher in pitch) by 25 cents.

Why Is Tuning Important?

1. Harmonic Balance – When building a set of bowls, understanding tuning is essential to ensure they sound harmonious together. Mismatched tunings can create dissonance, resulting in an uncomfortable sound experience rather than a relaxing one.

2. Chakra Alignment – Subtle tuning variations can influence how well a bowl resonates with a specific chakra. Slight adjustments in pitch may enhance or diminish the bowl’s energetic impact on the body.

3. Personal Preference – Some people prefer bowls that are slightly sharp or flat for their unique tonal qualities. Others may choose to align their bowls with specific frequencies, such as 432 Hz, 440 Hz, or 528 Hz, which are believed to have distinct energetic properties.

Understanding tuning can quickly become complex, which is why working with someone experienced can be invaluable. I can help you find bowls that meet your tuning preferences, complement each other in a set, or pair well with other instruments for a seamless sound experience.

Size

Another key consideration is the size of the bowl(s) you’d like to purchase. Classic Frosted Quartz bowls typically range from 7" to 22", while Alchemy Bowls range from 4" to 14". Size affects several factors, including volume, pitch/octave, the part of the body the bowl influences, and perhaps most importantly, transportability.

If you plan to travel with your bowls, size is an important practical consideration. Smaller bowls are easier to transport, can fit into overhead compartments, and are less cumbersome to handle. Additionally, you may want to ensure that your bowls can nest or stack inside one another to simplify transportation and reduce the risk of damage.

For those looking to use their bowls in large group settings, such as sound baths, larger bowls are more suitable due to their greater volume and resonance. Conversely, smaller bowls are better for one-on-one sessions or personal practice where portability and ease of handling are priorities.

Sets

Another important consideration is whether you’re looking for a single bowl or a set. You can choose from various sets, such as a 3-bowl set to create harmonics, a 7-bowl chakra set, a 5-bowl endocrine set, or custom combinations tailored to your needs.

A word of caution: Many bowl sets available on platforms like Amazon or Etsy are not properly tuned to harmonize with one another. This can result in a set where one or more bowls sound noticeably off, disrupting the overall sound experience. When purchasing a set, it’s essential to work with a knowledgeable bowl consultant, like myself, to ensure the bowls are tuned to complement each other and create a cohesive, resonant soundscape.