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Pro tip: Don't buy a $40 'crystal identification' kit from a gift shop

I thought it was a cool shortcut, but the included 'guide' was just wrong and the testing tools were junk plastic. Has anyone found a decent starter kit that doesn't cost a fortune?
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3 Comments
noahjenkins
Those kits are fun for kids, though, even if the info is a bit off.
4
vera541
vera5411mo ago
Been there, bought the junk kit. Those gift shop guides are often just pretty pictures with made-up names. Skip the pre-made kits entirely and build your own basics. A good 10x loupe, a streak plate, and a simple Mohs hardness pick set will get you way further. You can find decent individual pieces online without the fancy packaging markup.
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maxmurphy
maxmurphy10d ago
Oh man, that reminds me of my first "fossil" kit.
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