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Q: What is the difference between crystal bowls and Himalayan (metal) bowls?

Crystal bowls are made from pure quartz (often with added minerals for colour/alchemy). Their sound is very clear, luminous and focused, with long, singing overtones.
Himalayan bowls are traditionally hand-hammered from bronze or metal alloys. Their sound is earthy and complex, with many layered overtones and a more “ancient” feel.

Both can be used for meditation, sound baths, yoga, therapy and personal practice – it’s mainly a question of taste, sensitivity and how you like to work with sound.

Q: Are your bowls tuned to specific notes?

• Crystal bowls: yes. Each bowl is tuned to a specific note (e.g. C, D, F…). Sets are curated so that the notes form a harmonious scale or chord structure.

• Himalayan bowls: many are tuned to clear notes, but because they are hand-hammered, they often contain several overtones. We select them so that they blend musically when played together, even if they’re not “laboratory perfect”.

Q: How do you curate your sets?
For both crystal and Himalayan sets we consider:

• Musical harmony (intervals, chords, overall “mood” of the set)

• Dynamic range (some bowls more grounding, some more bright/expansive)

• Practicality for facilitators (usable for groups, individual work, yoga, etc.)

• Visual and energetic coherence

Every set is played, listened to and adjusted until it feels like a complete, coherent instrument family.

Most crystal singing bowls are made using a process similar to glassmaking:

1. Pure quartz powder (and, for alchemy/coloured bowls, mineral pigments or metals) is placed in a mold.

2. The material is then heated to extremely high temperatures until it melts and fuses.

3. The molten quartz is shaped and cooled in a controlled way so that it becomes a solid, resonant bowl.

4. After cooling, the bowl is ground, polished and tuned so that it sings clearly on a specific note.

Because this is a high-heat, high-precision process with natural materials, the surface of the bowl does not behave like a machine-printed, flawless plastic object. Tiny irregularities can appear and these are part of the nature of quartz and fire.

Q: My bowl has a tiny mark / dot / dimple. Is that normal?

Yes. Small visual marks are common with high-quality quartz and hand-hammered metal bowls.

We call them birthmarks; they arise naturally during firing (crystal) or hammering (Himalayan) and are not considered defects when the bowl is structurally sound and sings clearly.

Here are the most common natural variations we see:

1. Tiny dimples or “pinholes”

   • Small indentations in the surface (1–2 mm.)

   • Caused by microscopic air bubbles in the molten quartz that collapse or freeze near the surface during cooling.

2. Inclusions or dots of pigment

   • Small spots, specks or tiny lines inside the wall of the bowl.

   • Arise when a grain of mineral colour or metal melts slightly differently than the quartz around it.

3. Subtle waves or streaks in the wall

   • Very gentle variations in thickness or texture.

   • The result of the molten quartz flowing inside the mold and then solidifying.

4. Slight colour variations

   • Areas where the colour looks a shade lighter or darker.

   • This is completely normal in alchemy/coloured bowls, where mineral blends are unique each time.

Q: How do these marks appear on crystal bowls?

Crystal bowls are made from melted quartz (and minerals for colour) at very high temperatures. Microscopic air bubbles or pigment grains can sit near the surface. As the bowl cools and is polished, they can become visible as tiny dots, lines or dimples in the wall (usually not bigger then 1-2 mm).

Q: How do marks appear on Himalayan bowls?

Himalayan bowls are shaped by many hammer blows and then hand-finished. You may see:

• hammer marks

• light colour changes in the metal

• subtle unevenness in thickness

These are signs of handcraft, not machine production and part of what gives each bowl its unique tone.

Q: Do these marks affect sound or quality?

No. As long as there are no deep structural defects and cracks these natural marks are purely cosmetic.

Every Soulravel bowl is:

• visually checked

• played and listened to

• tuned / matched into its set

If a bowl does not sound clear and resonant, it does not leave our studio.

Q: What is considered an actual defect?

• Cracks: visible hairline fractures in crystal or metal that run through the surface.

• Chips: missing pieces on the rim/edge that feel sharp or jagged.

• Deformation from impact: clearly bent or warped shape, dents from a fall.

• Sound issues: very short sustain or a “dead” tone.

If you see anything like this, contact us immediately.

Why we embrace these small imperfections

Soulravel works with bowls that are slowly made, tuned and selected, not mass-produced to look identical. Just as hand-hammered bronze bowls carry tiny hammer marks and variations, crystal bowls also reveal subtle traces of their journey through quartz, heat and time.

For us, these small marks:

• are a reminder that your bowl is a singular object, not a copy,

• hold the story of the fire and the minerals that came together to create its tone,

• do not diminish its value, they often make it more unique.

If you still feel unsure

We want you to feel completely at ease with your instrument.

If the mark on your bowl leaves you with doubts, please:

• send us photos and/or a video (showing the mark and letting us hear the bowl),

• tell us how it feels for you, visually and in sound.

From there we can:

• explain what we see from a professional perspective, and

• discuss possible next steps (reassurance, exchange options, etc., depending on our agreement and your individual case).

In closing

Thank you for taking the time to understand the nature of these subtle marks.

Your bowl has travelled through intense heat, transformation and fine tuning to land in your hands. Tiny variations are part of that alchemy – and when the structure and sound are clear, they are not defects, but signatures of its birth.

Q: How should I clean my crystal bowl?

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth – dry or slightly damp with plain water.

• Avoid harsh cleaners, alcohol, essential oils or abrasives.

• Let it dry completely before storing.

Crystal is glass: treat it gently and avoid sudden temperature changes (e.g. very hot water then cold air).

Q: How should I clean my Himalayan bowl?

• Wipe with a soft cloth after use.

• Occasionally you can use a little mild, non-abrasive soap and water, then dry thoroughly.

• Patina and small colour changes are normal and part of the character of hand-hammered bronze.

Avoid aggressive metal polishes if you want to keep the natural look and energetics of the bowl.

Q: Can I put water in my bowl?

We generally do not recommend playing crystal bowls with water inside for regular use, the added weight and vibration can increase stress on the glass. If you occasionally use water for a specific ritual, do so gently and at your own risk, and never move the bowl while filled.

For Himalayan bowls, light water use is more common, but still: dry well afterwards and avoid long-term standing water to prevent marks or corrosion.

Q: How should I store my bowls?

• Place them on a stable, flat surface, preferably on a rubber ring, felt ring or cushion.

• Keep them away from edges, places where they can be kicked, or direct heat sources.

• For sets, avoid stacking crystal bowls inside each other unless they are specifically designed and padded for nesting.

Q: What mallets and cushions are best?

We usually recommend:

• Crystal bowls: suede, silicone or rubber mallets for rim playing; soft rubber or felt mallets for striking.

• Himalayan bowls: felt or wool mallets for striking; wooden/suede sticks for rim tones.

Our sets already include suitable mallets and/or rings; this will be mentioned in the product description.

Q: I’m new – are these bowls easy to play?

Yes. With a little patience, most people can create beautiful sound quickly. Key tips:

• Hold the mallet upright and apply gentle, even pressure.

• For rim playing, move slowly around the outside edge (45 degree angle).

• Less force, more patience, let the bowl “wake up” gradually.

We include basic guidance, and you can always contact us or join one of our trainings for deeper learning.

Q: Are there any health or safety considerations?

Sound is generally gentle, but please be mindful:

• Keep volume comfortable, especially in enclosed spaces.

• Be cautious with people who are pregnant, have epilepsy, serious psychiatric conditions, pacemakers/implants, or strong sound sensitivity or tinnitus – always invite them to listen to their body, stay further from louder bowls, or opt out if needed.

• Never place large bowls directly on the body of someone with medical devices or conditions unless you’re trained and they have medical clearance.

Our instruments do not replace medical or psychological treatment. When in doubt, consult a healthcare professional.

Q: Can children and animals be around the bowls?

Yes, but:

• Use lower volume and shorter sessions.

• Never let small children or pets play unsupervised around glass bowls, they are breakable.

• Watch how animals respond; some love it, others may prefer to leave the room.

Q: How do you pack the bowls for shipping?

We pack each bowl in multiple protective layers and mark the parcels as fragile. Sets are arranged so bowls do not touch each other directly. We ship with trusted carriers and insure the parcel where possible.

Q: Where do the bowls ship from? Our Himalayan bowls are shipped directly from India, and our crystal bowls are shipped from Shanghai. Please note that depending on your location, a small import fee may apply upon delivery this is the responsibility of the customer.

Q: What if my bowl arrives damaged?

Please:

1. Take clear photos of the box, the packing and the damaged bowl as soon as you notice it.

2. Contact us within the timeframe stated in our store policy.

3. Keep all packaging until the claim is processed.

We will then discuss replacement or refund options according to our policy and the shipping insurance.

Q: Do you accept returns if I simply change my mind?

Please refer to our Returns & Exchange Policy on the website.

Q: Can I request a custom set?
Yes. We love curating personalised sets. We’ll usually ask you about:

• your work (1:1, groups, yoga, therapy, etc.),

• your experience level,

• the atmosphere, mood or frequency range you’re drawn to,

• your budget.

Based on this, we can propose tailored options and pricing.

If You Have Questions or Concerns

If you ever receive a bowl with a mark you’re unsure about, or you’re not sure which set is right for you:

• send us photos or a short video (ideally also with sound),

• tell us a bit about how you intend to use the bowls,

…and we’ll support you from there.