The Crystal Journal

Honest guides to natural gemstones — what they are, how to care for them, and how to choose the right piece for you.

Raw vs polished crystals displayed side by side on ivory linen

Crystal Basics · 7 min read

Raw vs Polished Crystals: Key Differences and How to Choose

Choosing between raw vs polished crystals mainly comes down to appearance, handling and intended use. Raw stones retain more of their unpolished form, while…

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Natural crystals including quartz, amethyst, carnelian and tiger eye arranged on ivory linen

Crystal Basics · 8 min read

How to Tell If a Crystal Is Natural or Synthetic: A Practical Guide to Natural Crystals

You can spot reasons to ask questions, but you cannot reliably authenticate natural crystals at home. Appearance, temperature, price and photographs cannot…