Clear Quartz vs Selenite: What’s the Difference?
Clear quartz and selenite look alike but are opposites: quartz is hard and water-safe, selenite soft and water-soluble. How to tell them apart.
Daniel Ashford
A hobbyist mineral and crystal collector since 2008, he covers the geological side of the site: composition, formation, identification, and what a stone in your hand physically is.
Carnelian vs Red Jasper: What’s the Difference?
Carnelian and red jasper are both red quartz: carnelian translucent, jasper opaque. The one test that tells them apart, and how they differ.
Black Onyx vs Obsidian: What’s the Difference?
Black onyx is dyed chalcedony; obsidian is volcanic glass. Here's how to tell the two black stones apart, by weight, hardness, and lustre.
Black Obsidian vs Black Tourmaline: What’s the Difference?
Black obsidian is volcanic glass; black tourmaline is a crystal. How to tell them apart, how they differ in use, and which to choose.
Aquamarine vs Blue Topaz: What’s the Difference?
Aquamarine is naturally blue beryl; most blue topaz is treated colourless topaz. Here's how to tell them apart by colour, weight, and price.
What “Natural” Actually Means When You Buy Crystals
The word 'natural' hides a lot in the crystal trade: dye, heat, irradiation, even a false name. Here's what it means and what to ask.
Ethical Crystal Sourcing: What Actually Matters
Most 'ethically sourced' crystal labels mean nothing because the supply chain isn't traceable. Here's what actually matters when you buy.
What Is Gem Essence, and What Is It Made Of?
Gem essence is water that has been exposed to a crystal. Here is what is actually in the bottle and which crystals are safe to use.
What Are Crystal Points, Spheres, Clusters, and Other Shapes?
Crystal shapes split into two categories: natural (clusters, points, geodes) and lapidary (spheres, palm stones, towers). Here is what each one is.
Orange Calcite vs Citrine: What’s the Difference?
Orange calcite and citrine are both orange-yellow stones associated with warmth and positive energy, but they're entirely different minerals.
