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Gemstone Identification Tool

Not sure what your stone is? Describe its colour, hardness, transparency and shine, and we'll match it to the most likely gemstones — with links to learn more about each one.

Describe your stone

Main colour *

Likely matches

Pick a colour to start identifying your gemstone.

The four clues that identify a gemstone

Gemmologists use precise instruments, but you can get surprisingly far with four observations anyone can make at home.

Colour

The first and biggest clue — but many gems share colours, so it’s rarely enough on its own.

Hardness

Whether it scratches glass or is scratched by steel places it on the Mohs scale.

Transparency

Transparent, translucent or opaque narrows the field quickly.

Lustre

A diamond-like sparkle, glassy shine, pearly sheen or waxy surface each point to different families.

Once you know your stone, find out which month it belongs to on our birthstone chart or take the birthstone quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I identify a gemstone at home?
Start with the four properties you can observe without lab equipment: colour, approximate hardness (whether it scratches glass or is scratched by steel), transparency (transparent, translucent or opaque) and lustre (how it reflects light). Enter those into the tool above and it ranks the gems that best fit. For a definitive ID, a gemmologist measures refractive index and specific gravity.
What is the hardness scratch test?
The Mohs scale ranks mineral hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond). A simple test: ordinary glass is about 5.5 and a steel knife about 6.5. If your stone scratches glass it is harder than 5.5; if a knife scratches the stone it is softer than 6.5. Do any test on an inconspicuous spot, as it can leave marks.
Can two gemstones look identical?
Yes — many gems share a colour. Red could be ruby, garnet, spinel or red tourmaline; clear stones could be diamond, white sapphire, zircon or quartz. That is why combining colour with hardness, transparency and lustre dramatically narrows the options, which is exactly what this tool does.
Does this tool tell me if my stone is real or valuable?
It suggests what your stone is most likely to be based on observable traits, but it cannot confirm authenticity, detect treatments, or appraise value. Lab-created and imitation stones can mimic naturals closely. For anything potentially valuable, have it tested and certified by a professional gemmological laboratory.
Which gemstones are birthstones?
Many of the gems this tool identifies are also birthstones — garnet (January), amethyst (February), aquamarine (March), diamond (April), emerald (May), pearl & alexandrite (June), ruby (July), peridot (August), sapphire (September), opal & tourmaline (October), topaz & citrine (November) and turquoise & tanzanite (December). Matched gems link to their birth-month guide.