What is a Crystal Tub? 2024 Buying Guide: What You Should Know

Tired of traditional bathtubs on the market and want something new? Crystal bathtubs can provide you with a unique alternative that will immediately make your tub the star of your home.

What is a Crystal Tub?

A crystal tub is a tub constructed from a high-end/expensive material, typically high-end quartz. This quartz is usually refined into a crystal, giving it its signature name. However, in addition to high-end quartz, there are other materials that crystal tubs can be derived from. 

Common Crystal Tub Materials

Here are common crystal tub materials and some of their positives and negatives:

Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is a pink-colored variety of quartz and derives its color from the trace amounts of other metals apparent in its structure, such as titanium and iron. It has high aesthetic appeal as it appears pink, and its softness makes it easy to shape into whatever mold you want. Rose quartz is also non-toxic and very easy to obtain. However, it is also soft, which makes it easy to chip, scratch or damage. Prolonged exposure to heat will also cause it to fade with time, and it does not react well with harsh chemicals/acids, leading to damage and discoloration. 

Malachite

Malachite is a copper carbonate mineral that is formed through copper ore that has undergone significant weather changes. You can distinguish malachite by it’s bright green color and the banding patterns running through it. It has a distinctive and unique appearance that is highly attractive and it can be shaped easily. However, due to the softness of the material, it is also frail and can easily be damaged, scratched or chipped. In addition, malachite is also rare, making it difficult to obtain large quantities and is expensive to source. 

Amethyst

Amethysts are purple varieties of quartz and owe it’s familiar color to the minerals and iron within the crystal lattice. Amethyst is a popular crystal as it has a vibrant purple color, and unlike other materials so far, it is much more dense, making it more durable to impact and scratching. It is also more widely available, reducing its overall cost. However, it is still quite sensitive to heavy impacts and can still be damaged by heat and chemicals. 

White Quartz

White quartz is another variety of quartz that has a white or colorless appearance. This mineral is versatile as it can be cut into various shapes. It is relatively durable and easy to source, making it quite affordable. However, it is still sensitive to hard impacts and cannot weather heat and harsh chemicals, which will discolor and damage the material. 

Agate

Another variant of quartz, agate, has multiple colors and patterns as it is formed in the presence of different minerals and impurities, making it wholly unique in appearance. Agate is also versatile, allowing it to be cut into varying shapes and sizes. It is also easy to obtain and has some durability over other crystal types. However, it still has some inherent weaknesses, such as a weakness to hard impacts and harsh chemicals. 

Pros and Cons of a Crystal Tub

There are a few positives and negatives to owning a crystal tub.

Pros 

• Brilliant Aesthetic-The biggest positive of owning a crystal tub is appreciating the unique design and the look of a high-quality crystal. These bathtubs are extremely rare; the crystal used in their design is vibrant and can easily be the centerpiece of your bathroom. 
• Highly customizable-Crystal is quite easy to work with, so any changes you want to make to your bathtub can easily be done. If you want to add a unique design or change any element, you can customize the shape however you see fit. 
• Unique Bathing Experience-Since the material is not often used for bathtubs, it provides a unique feeling that not many bathtubs have. In addition, crystal will respond differently when heated and in the presence of water so you can enjoy a colorful light show while you bathe.  
• Status Symbol-As stated previously, a crystal bathtub is exceedingly rare and if you happen to have one in your home, you will surely be the envy of the neighborhood. 

Cons

• Very Expensive-Crystal bathtubs are exceedingly expensive for what they offer. The material cost is rare and you will generally be paying for the sourcing cost of the raw material alone. Additionally, if your bathtub is damaged, you will likely have to replace the entire tub as the material cannot be repaired piecemeal. 
• High Maintenance/Care Cost-Crystals require a great amount of care and maintenance to achieve their appearance. In addition to routine maintenance, you will have to cover you tub when not in use and avoid having small children near it, as a crystal tub cannot handle impacts or heavy use. 
• Impractical for Daily Use-With the fragile nature of the material itself, it is simply not practical to use daily. In addition to the material itself, you will need to vigorously clean and care for it after use, which is impractical. 
• Delicate-Crystal is a very delicate material, meaning that it will not react well to chemicals and extreme temperature shifts. Any temperature spikes will alter the material, so you should consider service for your tub at least every 6-8 years. 

How To Care for a Crystal Tub

Now that you’ve purchased one, here is all you need to know about caring for your crystal tub:

• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Only use mild, non-abrasive and non-acidic cleaning agents. Any harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers, or bleach could damage the finish and leech into the material itself. 
• Only Use Soft Cleaning Tools-Only use soft microfiber or sponges when cleaning your tub.
• Avoid Extreme Heat-Do not expose your bathtub to extreme heat or any temperature spikes as this will potentially crack and damage the material itself. 
• Service frequently, more if the tub sees heavy use-Ensure that your bathtub is properly sealed and maintained. If you use it regularly, service it at least once a month to ensure the tub is healthy. 
• Gentle Cleaning-Only use mild soap and warm water to clean the tub. Always rinse thoroughly to remove any residue as it may stain the material. 
• Dry After Use-Most importantly, dry heavily after use to avoid water spots, or mineral deposits. Prolonged exposure to moisture could also damage the material long term, so be careful. 

For those looking for something unique to add to their bathroom, a crystal tub is the perfect addition. However, remember to take proper care of it, otherwise, you may end up with a very expensive mess on your hands instead. 

Eric Jensen

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.