08 Nov Crystal Identification: Best Apps, Color Charts, and More
Whether you’re new to crystals or a seasoned collector, it can be difficult to identify crystals. There are so many different ones out there, so to help you out, we’ve outlined the process of mineral identification and made a list of the best identifier apps to simplify the process for you.
What Is Crystal Identification?
Crystals contain many different dynamic compositions and patterns. This is what makes them so unique and beautiful, but in order to understand their unique properties and use them appropriately, we have to be able to differentiate and identify them.
Crystal identification is done by evaluating the physical or chemical properties of crystals. This can be based on color, streak, luster, hardness, crystal shape, specific gravity, tenancy, and more.
How To Identify Crystals
There are many different ways to identify crystals. More scientific tests that we can use to help us include resistance tests using the Mohs hardness scale, acid tests, ultraviolet light tests, magnetism, and tenacity tests.
However, the majority of us don’t have the time, resources, or desire to do these kinds of tests. We want to know what we’re working with – and quickly. If you’d still prefer to do your own research without having to do anything too sciencey, color charts can help you to identify stones daily easily. Or, you can try a crystal identification app to do all the hard work for you.
Stone Color Charts
Color is the easiest way to identify crystals; although there are several crystals of similar colors, it using a color spectrum chart can help us to narrow down what type of crystal it may be. Not only can color charts help us to identify what a crystal is, but crystal colors also have different meanings spiritually.
Red Crystals
Red is a powerful, passionate color. It is the color of the root chakra; which sees to our health, weight, appearance, and basic needs and brings us security in the physical and material world, as well as our connection to nature.
It is also associated with love, blood, masculine energy, and the planet Mars; which is the planet of energy, action, desire, and war in astrology.
Examples:
- Garnet
- Jasper
- Ruby
- Red Calcite
- Red Howlite
Orange Crystals
Orange is the color of the element of fire – which represents spontaneity, adventure, passion, warmth, and desire. It is also associated with the sacral chakra, which governs our sexuality, fertility, body confidence, creative energy, charisma, and lust for life.
Examples:
- Carnelian
- Amber
- Sunstone
- Orange Calcite
- Fire Opal
Yellow Crystals
Yellow is the color of pure hope and positivity. It is powered by bright, happy sunshine energy and naturally uplifts and inspires the atmosphere around it. It’s also associated with the solar plexus chakra, which governs our sense of purpose in life, as well as our self-esteem, optimism, and joy.
Examples:
- Yellow Jasper
- Citrine
- Yellow Quartz
- Yellow Topaz
- Yellow Adventurine
Green Crystals
Green is the color of nature and signifies growth and rebirth. It is also the color of wealth and success; so very often, green crystals can be used to promote monetary wins, financial stability, business opportunities, and career growth. It’s also associated with the heart chakra, which governs our sense of love, self-love, compassion, forgiveness, and healing.
Examples:
- Emerald
- Green Adventurine
- Jade
- Moss Agate
- Serpentine
Blue Crystals
Blue is the color of calm, peace, and tranquility. It can be used to relax physical tension and ease emotional stress and anxiety. They’re also often associated with the throat chakra, which governs our sense of truth, identity, self-expression, and communication. These stones are great for performers, public speakers, and people with social anxiety.
Examples:
- Blue Lace Agate
- Lapis Lazuli
- Angelite
- Sapphire
- Celestite
Pink Crystals
Like green, the color pink is associated with the heart chakra, but it is more feminine, romantic, and soothing in nature, so you can use it to ignite deep connections and passion in your love life, heal yourself from deep emotional wounds, and elevate your feminine energy.
Examples:
- Rose Quartz
- Rhodonite
- Pink Topaz
- Kunzite
- Lepidolite
Purple Crystals
The color purple has the highest frequency on the spectrum, which is why purple crystals tend to be valued so highly in spiritual circles. They’re often associated with the third eye chakra, which is known for being the gateway to the soul – helping us to access our natural psychic gifts and elevate our spiritual intuition.
They’re also excellent meditation and manifestation aids, as they amplify your energy and make your spiritual practices richer and more enlightening.
Examples:
- Amethyst
- Lolite
- Lepidolite
- Taaffeite
- Charoite
Clear Or White Crystals
Clear and white crystals signify purity and angelic energy. These gemstones are often used for energy cleansing and activating the crown chakra, which is responsible for our connection to the spirit world. Their purifying energies can be used to clear out blockages in our energy systems, as well as cleanse the energy of the environment around you and other crystals.
Examples:
- Selenite
- Clear Quartz
- Moonstone
- Howlite
- Diamond
Brown Crystals
Brown crystals represent stability and security in the home, as well as the physical body and family. They are also associated with nature and the planet Saturn, which represents practicality and responsibility in astrology, and the element of Earth, as well as the root chakra.
They’re great stones for manifesting material success and physical changes, as well as for anchoring you in the present moment and improving your mental health.
Examples:
- Smoky Quartz
- Aragonite
- Tiger’s Eye
- Brown Agate
- Bronzite
Black Crystals
The color black is grounding and protective. Black crystals are often associated with the root chakra and tend to be the best for protecting against negative energy. Some can even transform negative energy into positive energy.
Examples:
- Jet
- Black Tourmaline
- Black Obsidian
- Shungite
- Smoky Quartz
Shades & Inclusions
As mentioned above, lots of crystals share similar base colors, so another thing to pay attention to when identifying crystals is the shade of color. For example, Rose Quartz and Rhondonite are both pink crystals, but they are completely different shades of pink. Rose Quartz is a baby pink color, whilst Rhodonite is a more vibrant fuchsia shade of pink.
Similarly, crystals that are the same color can have different colored inclusions. For example, Bloodstone and Black Opal both have black base colors, but Bloodstone has red inclusions, hence its name, and Black Opal has multi-colored inclusions.
Best Crystal Identification Apps
Crystal identifier apps are by far and large the easiest way to identify crystals. They take out all of the guesswork and do all of the figuring out for you. Let’s take a look at some of the best apps for crystal identification out there.
Stone Crystal Identification App
This app not only has a detailed list of crystals filled with information to help you identify your stones, but it also tells you a lot about them in temrs of their history and metaphysical properties. It currently only has info about 69 crystals, but it is expanding.
This app is great for people who want to learn more about their crystals, especially people who want to use them for healing and spiritual purposes. Although it is a new and currently limited app in terms of how many crystals it has listed, it allows you to browse twelve of them at a time and has an incredibly easy and minimal layout and format – perfect for memorizing and learning.
Geology Toolkit
Geology toolkit is one of the best free apps of its kind. It is very easy to use and is even loved by experts. It is a great app for students and workers in the field – or anyone who is interested in learning how to identify crystals since it gives such accurate results.
It actually allows users to analyze and observe mineral, rock, and crystal characteristics through hand-specimen attributes or through a microscope. It also asks a bunch of different and detailed questions in relation to the color, streak, luster, hardness, form of habit, kind of fracture, and specific gravity of your chosen crystals to help you identify it for certain.
Once these questions have been completed, the app will provide you with a list of five options and their estimated probability based on your answers. It leaves no stone – or crystal – unturned!
Geology Toolkit Premium
This premium version of the Geology Toolkit costs at least $7 to download and has a bunch of additional features, including a huge database of rock and minerals as well as lots of information on each one. It can also be helpful as a reference for students of the subject when writing essays and expanding knowledge for hobbyists.
Geology Of Rocks – Handbook Of Rocks
Geology of Rocks is another great app for students and geologists, as well as crystals enthusiasts. It is free, accessible, and full of brilliant features, such as a place to record your findings and observations in exchange for high-quality results and details.
You can also take a look through a comprehensive list of the rocks, minerals, and crystals on the planet, as well as interesting facts about them all. This app also gives you information on protecting crystals and nature and is super accessible so everyone can use it, including children.
Minerals Guide: Rocks, Crystals, And Gemstones
This app has software that lets its users analyze crystal, mineral, and rock characteristics, and accurately identify them. It also works with fossils. With over 4000 crystals, properties, and terms in its database, it is a pretty comprehensive app and also offers its users information on each stone.
You can also search for certain characteristics of your stone’s color, streak, luster, hardness, specific gravity, fracture, magnetism, and more. Other features include an advanced search with autocomplete that allows you to look up keywords and text with helpful suggestions.
There is also a voice automated option for people who need or prefer that, as well as educational examples provided to demonstrate the concept of minerals or crystals. There is even an offline search option for no additional cost.
Crystalize: Crystals & Stone
This app is easy to use with a minimalist design for people that don’t want any frills. It’s incredibly user-friendly and fun to use with beautiful, high-resolution images and informative descriptions of each stone. However, there are only around fifty crystals on the app, so it’s not particularly comprehensive and it’s definitely not right for experts or students, but it’s the ideal app for beginners.
The Magic Of Crystal
The Magic of Crystals comes at a price, but it’s a great app for people who are looking to learn about crystals for spiritual and/or healing purposes. It has a minimalist design and is very simple to use, with names and descriptions of each crystal and helpful details about how to use the crystals for spiritual practices and chakra healing.
Other Cool Apps To Check Out:
In addition to our list above, here are some other fun apps that you can check out.
- Crystal Guru
- Healing Crystal
- Rockcheck
- Healing Crystals Database
- Healing Stones
Conclusion
From color to streak and hardness to luster, there are lots of ways that you can identify a crystal. However, if you want to make the process as easy as possible, use a color chart or one of the crystal identification apps mentioned on our list. Make sure you pick the best one for your needs, whether you’re a beginner, a hobbyist, or an expert – happy learning!
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