Turquoise vs Howlite: How to Tell Them Apart
Much cheap 'turquoise' is dyed howlite. Here's how to spot the difference using hardness, dye in the veins, and price.
Comparisons
Sodalite vs Lapis Lazuli: What’s the Difference?
Sodalite and lapis are both deep blue, but gold pyrite flecks are the tell: lapis has them, sodalite doesn't. Here's how to tell them apart.
Selenite vs Satin Spar: What You’re Actually Buying
Selenite and satin spar are the same mineral, gypsum: selenite is glassy, satin spar fibrous and silky. Most 'selenite' sold is satin spar.
Opal vs Opalite: What’s the Difference?
Opal is a natural gemstone with play-of-colour; opalite is man-made glass with none. How to tell them apart, and why the names confuse people.
Jade vs Serpentine: How to Tell the Difference
Serpentine is often sold as 'new jade' but it's a softer, different stone. How to tell real jade from serpentine by hardness, weight, and price.
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.
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.
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.
Is There a Difference Between Green and Purple Fluorite?
Green and purple fluorite are the same mineral (CaF₂). The colour differences come from lattice defects and trace elements, not different stones.
Purple Fluorite vs Amethyst
No. Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, hardness 7. Purple fluorite is calcium fluoride at hardness 4, a different mineral in everything but colour.…
Is Phantom Quartz the Same as Clear Quartz
Yes. Phantom quartz is clear quartz that paused while it was growing. A film of another mineral settled on the faces it had at that…
Moonstone vs Labradorite: Are They the Same?
No, they are not the same stone, though they are close relatives. Moonstone and labradorite are both feldspars, and both owe their shimmer to the…
