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.

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: