As Montville’s Crystal Multiverse passes its second anniversary it’s amazing to think that some of its stock has been around a couple of hundred million years. 

“As you can see Richard and I are not the only fossils in this shop,” joked Serge Doumerge, who mans the shop on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

This gives owner Richard Sargent time off to source interesting and unique items from around the world. Items like 500  million year old Trilobite Adaluciana fossils from the Cambrian period, pictured, or a 160 million year old Ammonite fossil from Madagascar, also pictured.

“I do a lot of online searching and sourcing from word-wide locations,” said Richard. “And where possible I like to be able to hand-pick items in person, so I can check the quality. I can source items everywhere from Melbourne to Morocco.”

Despite starting right at the same time the pandemic Richard is proud and relieved his enterprise had survived and grown. “It’s reassuring in a way. We’re still here, so I think we must be doing something right,” he said. 

“I just love seeing the smiles on people’s faces from the fascination they experience in the store. It’s more than just retail therapy. Everyone has an experience when they come in. They walk away with a smile on their face, whether or not they’ve bought something.

“Part of the experience is being able to pick up and appreciate crystals and fossils that have been around for millions of years.

“We’re always happy to answer questions, and we offer something quite educational for kids that you can’t find anywhere else.

“The mystique and wonder of it all is what ties it together I think, from our ancient fossils to  Egyptian civilisations to Harry Potter. It’s all wondrous, magical and thought-provoking.”

“It’s like we’re in a natural history museum,” said Serge. 

“It really is quite a unique experience, to be able to experience something that is 500 million years old.

“That’s one of the key attractions of the shop. You can touch and hold almost everything we sell.”

Crystal Multiverse is at the top end of Main Street Montville and you can find them on Facebook @crystalmultiverse