Can You Identify These Crystals, Gemstones and Minerals?

By: Elizabeth Lavis
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Identify These Crystals, Gemstones and Minerals?
Image: miljko/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

It's no secret that our planet is bursting with brightly-colored gems, valuable minerals and opaque crystals of all shapes and sizes.

This quiz will take you deep below the Earth's crust on a quest to highlight some of the most fabulous crystals, gemstones and minerals that have been used and worn by humans for centuries. From romantic diamonds that signal everlasting devotion to jet-black obsidian forged deep in the belly of the planet, we tackle all of the popular - and not so popular - rocks that make up our big, beautiful world. Trust us; we have barely scratched the surface. There are plenty of rocks that simply didn't make the cut.

Even if you have a jewelry box stuffed with rare gems from all over the planet, you might have some trouble acing this quiz. You also could discover new favorites in this treasure-trove of questions that is designed to both educate and entertain you. If you have always wanted to show off your gem identifying skills, it's time to play geologist and prove that you know the difference between onyx and jasper, quartz and gypsum, and sapphires and emeralds.

We came ready to rock your world with this challenging quiz!

Geodes
JodiJacobson/E+/Getty Images
This normal-looking rock has a sparkly surprise inside! What is it?
Carnelian
Geode
Quartz
Mica
Sapphire
SunChan/E+/Getty Images
Its brilliant blue hue makes it one of the most coveted gemstones around. Which one is it?
Emerald
Ruby
Sapphire
Diamond
Pearl necklace
Tsuneo Yamashita/DigitalVision/Getty Images
A string of these makes a stunning necklace. What is it?
Opal
Moonstone
Onyx
Pearl

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Topaz
Matteo Chinellato - ChinellatoPhoto/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
This gem comes in a rainbow of different colors. Which one is it?
Topaz
Calcite
Amber
Onyx
Moonstone
Gemporia via YouTube
Wish upon a star for this fabulous stone. Which one is it?
Peridot
Quartz
Moonstone
Silver
Calcite
Walter Geiersperger/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images
This opaque crystal was used by many ancient people. Which one is it?
Calcite
Graphite
Tiger's eye
Feldspar

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Carnelian
Kerrick/E+/Getty Images
This vibrant orange-red semi-precious gemstone is totally striking. What is it?
Peridot
Topaz
Carnelian
Quartz
Amber
switas/E+/Getty Images
This ancient substance is made from a tree resin that looks good on a necklace. What are we talking about?
Moonstone
Amber
Graphite
Tiger's eye
Quartz
Wiki Commons by Scott Nazelrod
A hard, commonly occurring mineral. What is it?
Feldspar
Beryl
Quartz
Shell

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Emerald
SunChan/E+/Getty Images
Take me to Oz to see this brilliant green gem! Which one is it?
Emerald
Ruby
Sapphire
Garnet
Opal ring
Wiki Commons by Slovakiaopal
This psychedelic gem makes a beautiful statement piece. What is it?
Ruby
Aquamarine
Bloodstone
Opal
Onyx diamond ring
BankVaultJewelry via YouTube
A jet-black stone that pairs perfectly with diamond. What is it?
Carnelian
Onyx
Peridot
Tiger's eye

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Graphite
Wiki Commons by Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart
It's grey and somewhat sparkly. What are we talking about?
Jasper
Beryl
Graphite
Feldspar
Rainbow Fluorite
Ron Evans/Photodisc/Getty Images
This rainbow-colored mineral is used in a number of different industries. Which one is it?
Topaz
Beryl
Fluorite
Shell
Ruby ring
SEAN GLADWELL/Moment/Getty Images
A lusty red gem that's popular in jewelry. What are we talking about?
Ruby
Sapphire
Emerald
Quartz

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Peridot
Jim Simmen/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
August babies wear this stone. What is it?
Pyrite
Obsidian
Peridot
Cinnabar
Tiger's Eye
Wiki Commons by Marek Novotnak
This striped stone looks a little like varnished wood. Which one is it?
Moonstone
Tiger's eye
Calcite
Coral
Silver
gustavo ramirez/Moment/Getty Images
A precious metal popular for jewelry. What are we talking about?
Mica
Gold
Silver
Graphite

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Mineral Mica
Wiki Commons by Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez
It's a shiny mineral sometimes used for makeup. What is it?
Silver
Gold
Graphite
Mica
Jasper
Wiki Commons by Aomorikuma
Commonly red, this mineral can also come in yellow, green or brown. Which one is it?
Jasper
Tiger's eye
Amber
Topaz
Diamond ring
ProArtWork/E+/Getty Images
This gem is mostly associated with wedding proposals. What are we talking about?
Emerald
Sapphire
Peridot
Diamond

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Beryl
Wiki Commons by Reno Chris
It is the base for another popular gem, aquamarine. What is it?
Sapphire
Moonstone
Beryl
Topaz
Pyrite
Wiki Commons by Didier Descouens
Called "fool's gold," this mineral is a sparkly fake. Which one is it?
Silver
Pyrite
Mica
Platinum
Cat's Eye
Wiki Commons by Mmmmkobayashi
A stone with an animalistic quality. What is it?
Diamond
Amber
Cat's eye
Moonstone

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Citrine
Wiki Commons by Géry Parent
This striking orange stone is a variety of quartz. Which one is it?
Citrine
Peridot
Ruby
Topaz
Feldspar
Wiki Commons by Robert M. Lavinsky
You're standing on it right now! What's the name of this common mineral?
Mica
Graphite
Feldspar
Pyrite
Lapis Lazuli
Wiki Commons by Adam Ognisty
Beautiful blues make up this semi-precious stone. Which one are we talking about?
Lapis lazuli
Sapphire
Aquamarine
Peridot

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Turquoise
Petri Oeschger/Moment/Getty Images
This blue-green mineral pairs perfectly with silver. What is it?
Quartz
Turquoise
Geode
Beryl
Seashells
Simon McGill/Moment/Getty Images
Collect it by the seashore. What are we talking about?
Mica
Shell
Pearl
Quartz
Obsidian
Wiki Commons by Ji-Elle
Forged in volcanoes, this jet-black substance is completely striking. What is it?
Onyx
Lapis lazuli
Obsidian
Jasper

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Sulfur
Wiki Commons by Ben Mills
It's not rotten eggs, it's this pale yellow element. What is it?
Feldspar
Graphite
Calcite
Sulfur
Amethyst necklace
Wiki Commons by Deomar Pandan
A purple beauty that is common in necklaces. What are we talking about?
Ruby
Peridot
Amethyst
Fluorite
Malachite
Wiki Commons by Calibas
Breathtakingly green, this lovely mineral is popular in jewelry. What is it?
Malachite
Obsidian
Turquoise
Opal

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Gypsum
Wiki Commons by Gikü
It's the main ingredient in chalk. Which mineral are we talking about?
Gypsum
Mica
Quartz
Carnelian
Coral
Darryl Leniuk/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Under the sea you'll find this living rock. What is it?
Shell
Pearl
Coral
Pyrite
Cinnabar
Wiki Commons by JJ Harrison
This tasty-sounding mineral is absolutely not fit for human consumption. What is it?
Silver
Jade
Topaz
Cinnabar

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Brazilianite stone
Wiki Commons by Robert M. Lavinsky
This green-yellow precious stone is native to Brazil. Which one is it?
Brazilianite
Citrine
Peridot
Topaz
Agate
Wiki Commons by Doxymo
This gorgeous stone is a collection of different hues. What is it?
Tiger's eye
Agate
Cat's eye
Mica
Bloodstone
Ron Evans/Photodisc/Getty Images
A gory gem also known as heliotrope. What are we talking about?
Shale
Onyx
Obsidian
Bloodstone

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Garnet
Paul Starosta/Stone/Getty Images
It's commonly red like a ruby, but this stone stands on its own. What is it?
Sapphire
Garnet
Amethyst
Citrine