01
BE. Stone Buying Checklist
How to read a crystal bracelet before you buy it: ten checks, in order, with the reasoning behind each. A4 PDF included.
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Journal
Field notes for understanding materials, comparing stones, choosing size, and caring for what you wear.
Published records
55 records
01
37
Lab-Grown vs Natural Amethyst: What Actually Changes?
Lab-grown amethyst is synthetic quartz, not purple glass. Compare chemistry, growth origin, visual limits, laboratory separation and disclosure.
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38
Moonstone vs Pearl: Glow, Lustre and Durability
Moonstone is feldspar with adularescence; pearl is a biogenic gem with nacreous lustre. Compare light, hardness, care and bracelet use.
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39
Citrine vs Golden Rutilated Quartz: Two Yellow Structures
Citrine carries yellow body colour; golden rutilated quartz contains visible rutile needles. Compare structure, quality, treatment and buying value.
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40
Kyanite vs Sapphire: Similar Blue, Different Mineral
Kyanite and sapphire can share a deep blue, but differ in composition, structure, directional hardness, cleavage, treatment and wear.
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41
Obsidian vs Onyx: What Is the Difference?
Obsidian is volcanic glass; jewellery onyx is parallel-banded chalcedony. Compare structure, hardness, black colour, dye disclosure and safe checks.
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42
Smoky Quartz vs Obsidian: Crystal or Volcanic Glass?
Smoky quartz is crystalline SiO₂; obsidian is natural volcanic glass. Compare structure, appearance, hardness, fracture and bracelet wear.
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43
Garnet vs Ruby: How to Tell Them Apart and Choose
Garnet is a silicate mineral group; ruby is red corundum. Compare identity, hardness, visual overlap and what to ask before buying.
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44
Black Bead ID: Obsidian, Onyx, Tourmaline or Glass?
Black colour is not an identification. Compare obsidian, onyx, black tourmaline and manufactured glass through lustre, texture, edge light, internal features and laboratory limits.
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45
Moonstone vs Opalite: Don’t Buy the Wrong Glow
Moonstone is feldspar with adularescence; retail opalite is commonly manufactured glass with an even blue-orange glow. Compare structure, optical movement and disclosure safely.
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46
Cherry, Berry and Strawberry Quartz: Glass or Stone?
Cherry, berry and strawberry quartz are not interchangeable mineral names. Learn which labels commonly describe glass, which can describe natural included quartz and what disclosure to request.
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47
Amethyst vs Garnet: Two Dark Stones, Different Stories
Amethyst and garnet both make deep-toned bracelets, but one is quartz and one a silicate group. Colour, hardness, care and price compared.
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48
Black vs Golden Rutilated Quartz: Needle Type, Look & How to Choose
Black vs golden rutilated quartz: both are rutile needles in quartz, separated by iron content. Why the colour differs, what each looks like, and how to choose.
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