Compare Crystals & Gemstones
Two stones that look almost identical often differ on one easy-to-check property. These side-by-side guides line up 22 commonly confused pairs on the traits that actually separate them — hardness, lustre, streak and habit — so you can tell which is which.
Look-alike pairs to compare
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Amethyst vs Fluorite
How to tell apart
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Citrine vs Amber
How to tell apart
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Jade vs Serpentine
How to tell apart
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Jadeite vs Nephrite
How to tell apart
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Turquoise vs Howlite
How to tell apart
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Turquoise vs Chrysocolla
How to tell apart
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Pyrite vs Marcasite
How to tell apart
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Malachite vs Chrysoprase
How to tell apart
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Moonstone vs Labradorite
How to tell apart
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Rose Quartz vs Morganite
How to tell apart
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Onyx vs Obsidian
How to tell apart
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Obsidian vs Jet
How to tell apart
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Hematite vs Magnetite
How to tell apart
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Carnelian vs Jasper
How to tell apart
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Garnet vs Ruby
How to tell apart
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Ruby vs Spinel
How to tell apart
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Sapphire vs Tanzanite
How to tell apart
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Aquamarine vs Topaz
How to tell apart
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Emerald vs Peridot
How to tell apart
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Lapis Lazuli vs Sodalite
How to tell apart
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Selenite vs Gypsum
How to tell apart
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Agate vs Jasper
How to tell apart