How Do You Tell What Kind of Quartz You Have?

The world of crystals includes every shape, size and color of formation that you can think of. These gifts from the earth have held mystical power and enchantment over the decades. Many use these crystals for healing and various other spiritual purposes. If you purchase or receive one as a gift and are not sure which crystal it is, there are a couple indicators to figure it out. If that doesn't work, simply ask someone who is familiar with crystals.

Things You'll Need

• Small velvet bag or a clear resealable sandwich bag

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Instructions

• 1

  Look at the color of the quartz. This is the clearest indicator. Clear crystals are called clear quartz and these are popular. Purple crystals are often amethyst. Citrine is yellow to golden. Aventurine is light green to golden brown. Carnelian is red to reddish brown. Jasper comes in all colors of the rainbow. Agates come in many colors but are distinguished by their layers of colors. Opal is iridescent, yellow and fiery red. Rose quartz is pink. Smoky quartz is brownish to black and often a smoky gray. Tigers eye is distinguished by the layered brown and gold streaks. Onyx is black.

• 2

  Observe the shape. Many crystal formations, such as clear quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, citrine, aventurine have a six-sided formation. These are either found with one or two termination points on a single crystal or still attached to a crystal cluster with many points. If the crystal has a clump-like shape and is pink, it is most likely rose quartz. If it is smoother like a pebble or rock, it may be carnelian, jasper, opal, onyx, tigers eye or an agate. Often the pointed formations can be broken apart into rough clumps or tumbled into smooth rocks so shape can sometimes be deceiving.

• 3

  Place the quartz in a small velvet bag or a clear resealable sandwich bag and take it to a crystal or new age shop. You can either look at other crystals and compare the characteristics or you can simply as the clerk or sales representative. They are almost always willing to help identify the crystals as well as give other information that is pertinent.