THE JOURNAL / Gemstone Identifier
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THE READING ROOM / 07Rutilated Quartz vs. Tourmalinated Quartz: How to Tell Them Apart
Learn how to distinguish rutilated quartz from tourmalinated quartz by inclusion color, shape, and visible clues—and where identification remains uncertain.
Read the guideSelenite Identification: How to Recognize This Soft, Clear Mineral
Learn the visible clues that help identify selenite, how it differs from similar minerals, and what requires professional testing.
Read the guideSelenite vs Satin Spar: How to Tell These Gypsum Varieties Apart
Learn how selenite and satin spar differ in appearance, structure, naming, and what visual clues can—and cannot—confirm.
Read the guideSelenite vs. Calcite: How to Tell These Light-Colored Minerals Apart
Compare selenite and calcite by appearance, crystal form, hardness, cleavage, and safe identification methods—and learn what visual clues cannot confirm.
Read the guideSmoky Quartz Identification: Color, Clarity, and Key Clues
Learn how to identify smoky quartz by its color, crystal form, and inclusions—and understand what visual clues cannot confirm.
Read the guideSnow Quartz vs. Clear Quartz: How to Tell Them Apart
Compare snow quartz and clear quartz by appearance, inclusions, lighting, and practical identification limits.
Read the guideSnowflake Obsidian Identification: Visual Clues and Reliable Tests
Learn the key visual clues of snowflake obsidian, how it differs from similar stones, and what professional testing can—and cannot—confirm.
Read the guideSodalite Identification: Color, Veins, and How to Tell It Apart
Learn the visible clues that help identify sodalite, how it differs from lapis lazuli and other blue stones, and when expert testing is needed.
Read the guideTiger’s Eye Identification: Key Features and Testing Limits
Learn to recognize tiger’s eye by its chatoyant bands, color, and surface, and understand when gemological testing is needed for greater certainty.
Read the guideTranslucent vs. Transparent Gemstones: How to Tell the Difference
Learn how light passes through transparent and translucent gemstones, what appearance can reveal, and why visual clues cannot confirm a gem’s identity or value.
Read the guideTurquoise vs. Dyed Howlite: Visible Clues and Reliable Testing
Learn how turquoise and dyed howlite can look alike, which visual clues may help, and when professional gem testing is needed.
Read the guideTypes of Agate: Colors, Patterns, and Common Varieties
Explore common types of agate, how their colors and patterns differ, and which visible clues can—and cannot—help identify a specimen.
Read the guideTypes of Beryl: Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite, and More
Explore the main types of beryl, how color and trace elements distinguish them, and what visible clues can—and cannot—tell you about a specimen.
Read the guideTypes of Crystals: A Guide to Major Crystal Families
Explore how crystal families differ, what visible features can suggest, and why appearance alone cannot confirm a stone’s identity.
Read the guideTypes of Feldspar Gemstones: Moonstone, Labradorite, Sunstone, and More
Explore popular feldspar gemstones, the optical effects that distinguish them, and what visual clues can—and cannot—tell you about a specimen.
Read the guideTypes of Garnet: Colors, Varieties, and How to Tell Them Apart
Explore the main garnet varieties, their colors and visual clues, and why gemological testing may be needed for a confident identification.
Read the guideTypes of Gemstones: A Guide to Gem Families, Colors, and Uses
Explore major gemstone types, how gem families differ, and what visible clues can—and cannot—tell you about a stone.
Read the guideTypes of Jasper: A Guide to Patterns, Colors, and Varieties
Explore common jasper varieties, learn how their patterns differ, and see what visual clues can—and cannot—tell you about a stone.
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