How Do You Identify Stones, Gems & Crystals?
Stones, gems and crystals are all types of minerals that have over time developed into colored or clear formations. The three are often referred to collectively as gemstones and may be identified using the same process for each type of mineral. Determine that the stone, gem or crystal you have is really a gemstone. There are colored rocks, and ores that may appear to look like precious stones. If the stone, gem or crystal has a sandy texture, then it is not a gemstone; it is also not a gemstone if it is easily malleable by hand or hammer. Measure the hardness of the gemstone. The hardness kit will come with samples of other minerals that represent each level of the Moh’s hardness scale. Use the test minerals to scratch your unidentified gemstone; if a test mineral scratches your gemstone, then your stone, gem or crystal is not as hard as that test mineral. Use a cleavage chart to examine the break of the gemstone and compare it to the breaks of other gemstones on the cleavage charts. S
