About Natural Inspirations
Located in downtown Burlington, Iowa, near the banks of the Mississippi River, Natural Inspirations is a forth-generation family business with more than 90 years of experience in gems, minerals, and jewelry.
Our story began in the 1930s, when our founder, Ed Smith, began digging and selling geodes found locally in the region. From those humble beginnings grew a lifelong passion for natural wonders and a reputation built on honesty, integrity, and deep product knowledge, values that continue to guide our shop today.
Today, Natural Inspirations is proudly owned and operated by David and Karmen Smith, who bring decades of hands-on experience and a genuine love for helping people discover pieces that feel meaningful and personal.
The shop now welcomes its fourth generation, with their daughter Lindsay joining the business to guide its digital expansion and their son Bradyn stepping further into daily operations and in-store sales.
Having grown up surrounded by stones, stories, and shared knowledge, Lindsay brings both deep familiarity and a modern digital and application development background to this next chapter. Bradyn contributes hands-on support across the storefront and fulfillment side of the business, helping ensure the same care and attention continues at every level.
Together, the family’s goal is to offer thoughtful guidance, rare and beautiful finds, and a welcoming, joyful shopping experience — whether in-store or online.
Our shop is a Mind, Body, Spirit destination, featuring a carefully curated selection of:
-
Crystals, minerals, and geodes
-
New and vintage gemstone jewelry
-
Loose stones and collector pieces
-
Custom jewelry design, including access to premium settings through our Stuller partnership
-
Fossils, figurines, ritual tools, fragrance, incense, and mindful gifts
Our custom jewelry work is supported through a partnership with Stuller, while all stone setting and hands-on detailing is done in-house, continuing the craftsmanship our family has been known for across generations.
As we expand into online shopping, we remain committed to the same care and attention our in-store customers have trusted for generations. Every piece is selected with intention, quality, and authenticity in mind.
We are deeply grateful to our loyal local community and longtime customers, as well as those discovering us for the first time online. If you are ever in the area, we invite you to visit us in person, and wherever you are, we are honored to be part of your journey.
Curious what the inside of our Burlington, Iowa crystal and metaphysical store looks like? Explore our gallery for a peek inside Natural Inspirations and discover our curated displays of crystals, minerals, and handcrafted pieces.
Three Generations of Gems, Knowledge & Integrity
Our Commitment to Quality
Our Purpose
At Natural Inspirations, quality is the foundation of everything we offer. With generations of experience in gems, minerals, and jewelry, we understand that true quality comes from knowledge, care, and thoughtful selection.
Every crystal, stone, fossil, and piece of jewelry in our shop is chosen for its authenticity, integrity, and natural character. We take the time to understand where our pieces come from, how they are formed or crafted, and what makes each one unique. Many of the items we carry are one of a kind, shaped by nature over time and valued for more than appearance alone.
Our standards extend beyond materials. Whether selecting a mineral specimen, sourcing ritual and sound tools, or designing custom jewelry, we focus on craftsmanship, durability, and lasting beauty. We offer only pieces we would confidently recommend to our own family, items meant to be appreciated, worn, and enjoyed for years to come.
Our purpose is simple: to help people find pieces that feel meaningful and authentic to them.
At Natural Inspirations, we believe the connection someone feels to a stone, a piece of jewelry, or a symbolic object is deeply personal.
People visit us for many reasons, including spiritual practice, creative inspiration, personal milestones, or simply because something speaks to them. We honor all of those reasons.
Our role is not to tell anyone what a piece should mean, but to offer knowledge, guidance, and space for discovery. We strive to create a welcoming environment where curiosity is encouraged and customers feel supported in choosing what resonates with them.
This intention guides everything we do, from the way we curate our crystal, mineral, and jewelry collections to how we approach custom jewelry design. As we continue to grow and share our offerings online, our purpose remains rooted in respect for the natural world, thoughtful connection, and a genuine desire to serve our community, both near and far.