Crystal, rock, mineral, gemstone ... aren't they all the same thing? Not exactly. Learn the differences between these commonly used terms, why they often get mixed up, and how one specimen can sometimes fit into more than one category. This beginner-friendly guide breaks it all down without requiring a geology degree.

If sunshine could be tucked into a pocket, it might look a lot like Sunstone. With its warm colors, coppery shimmer, and flashes of light, this fascinating feldspar has become a favorite among collectors and crystal lovers alike. Discover the geology, symbolism, and summer appeal of June's featured crystal.

Flower Agate may look soft and simple at first, but a closer look reveals delicate, bloom-like patterns formed naturally over time. Often associated with gentle growth and steady change, it’s a stone that reflects progress as it quietly unfolds.

Chrysanthemum Stone is one of those rare natural formations that looks almost impossible at first glance—a flower frozen in stone. Formed over millions of years, its striking pattern develops from minerals growing outward within a darker matrix. What starts as a rough, unassuming rock is carefully cut and refined to reveal the bloom hidden inside. The result is a piece that stands apart, drawing attention in a way few stones can.

Lemurian Quartz stands out for its straight, ladder-like lines and slightly uneven shape, but those features are only part of the story. This month’s Stone of the Month explores where the name came from, how these crystals form, and why collectors often see them as something a little different from ordinary quartz. Whether you notice the geology, the history, or just the character, Lemurians tend to leave an impression.

After a rockhounding trip, the work isn’t over — it’s just beginning. Buckets come home full, but every piece has to be cleaned, sorted, and looked at again. Some turn out better than expected, others don’t make the cut, and a few leave you wondering why you carried them all that way. This post is about what happens after the trip and why not everything makes it into the shop.

Once we finally get to a rockhounding spot, you’d think the hard part is over — but that’s when the real work begins. Not every rock is worth the walk, backpacks get heavy fast, and some days the rocks win. From sorting through look-alikes to hauling buckets back to the truck and realizing not everything turns into inventory, this post shares what it’s really like when we actually start finding rocks.

We get asked a lot what we actually do on our rockhounding trips, and the answer is usually, “a lot more than it looks like.” Before a single rock makes it back to the shop, there’s planning, packing, driving, hiking, dust, wrong turns, and sometimes wondering if the whole thing was a good idea. This post is about everything that happens before the fun part even starts.

Green Aventurine meaning — a stone linked to luck, renewal, and confident new beginnings as winter gives way to spring.

Go behind the scenes with jujujems to learn how we choose crystals and minerals at gem shows and while sourcing. From quality checks and pricing decisions to ethical questions and long-term fit, discover the thoughtful process behind every stone that makes it into our shop.

Nothing prepares you for Tucson. Forty-plus gem shows, miles of walking, glittering displays, and rapid-fire math in kilograms. We arrived ready — backpack, list, mints — and quickly realized Tucson had other plans. From sensory overload to serious sourcing, we navigated warehouses, tents, and desert dust with intention. Here’s what we learned, who we met, and what made the cut for jujujems.

Rose Quartz is one of those stones almost everyone recognizes. Soft, familiar, and easy to live with, it often becomes the first crystal people own — and one they return to again and again. This February Stone of the Month explores why Rose Quartz feels so approachable, meaningful, and perfectly suited for Valentine’s Day and beyond.

At White Sands, the sand isn’t what you expect. Made of gypsum — pre-selenite — it feels soft, cool, and silky, slipping through your fingers like powdered snow ✨ Just steps away, that same mineral turns sharp and crunchy in the park’s famous “popcorn field.” Same mineral, wildly different textures — and a reminder that nature loves a good transformation.

Fluorite is a crystal shaped by structure, color, and time — valued for both its natural beauty and its practical uses throughout history. From its precise crystal formations to its wide range of colors, Fluorite offers a quieter way to think about focus, balance, and intention at the start of a new year. This guide explores how Fluorite forms, why it has mattered for centuries, and what draws people to it today. Read on to learn more!

There’s something magical about standing at the edge of a great lake. The wind in your hair, waves lapping against the shore, and sunlight glinting off the water — it’s enough to make you pause, breathe, and just be. ... Lake Superior Agates are famous for their rich red, orange, and golden banding, colors created by iron deposits in volcanic rock more than a billion years old. These stones are Minnesota’s official state gemstone, but they can also be found along ...

Let's explore the amazing journey of quartz crystal formation and uncover the secrets behind their growth and diversity.

At jujujems, we use terms in our product descriptions that bring attention to the unique beauty of the item. Vugs and druzy go hand in hand

Congo or Brazilian Citrine - what's the difference?

At jujujems.com, we have two categories that can be a bit confusing—Specimens and Rough Rock. Both categories are closely related, and although we may put an item in both categories now and then, they are not the same thing. In this blog, we'll do our best to explain the differences between the two and answer the questions:

Introducing gorgeous Tiffany Stone! This one-of-a-kind rock is also known as "Bertrandite," "Ice Cream Opal," or "Opalized Fluorite." Here's some interesting info about it: