How to spot the fake
The market for crystals, especially those associated with healing and spiritual practices, has skyrocketed in recent years–from amethyst geodes to rose quartz pendants, people are eager to incorporate them into their lives. As demand grows, so does the temptation to cut corners in this market and produce fake or altered versions of crystals to satisfy this demand at a low cost.
In a lot of cases, fake crystals are created through artificial coloring, heating, or resin treatments to mimic the appearance of rarer and more expensive minerals. In other cases, stones might be synthetically manufactured in a lab to resemble natural crystals. These fakes can often deceive the untrained eye, making it important for you to be vigilant!
Most Commonly Faked Minerals
Amethyst
One of the most common fakes is amethyst, especially in the form of dyed quartz. Amethyst is often imitated using cheaper materials like dyed purple quartz or heat-treated citrine. The fakes might appear slightly too perfect or have an unnatural hue.
How to spot a fake:
- Real amethyst has a deep, rich purple color, often with natural variations and inclusions.
- Fakes may have a uniform color or look overly bright and glossy.
Citrine
Genuine citrine is a rare and expensive quartz variety, which makes it a prime target for imitation. Heat-treated amethyst is often sold as citrine, especially if the original amethyst stone wasn’t of high quality. Sometimes, yellow-colored glass or plastic is passed off as citrine.
How to spot a fake:
- Citrine’s natural color is a golden yellow to amber, with a slightly smoky or brownish tint. Fake citrine may appear unnaturally bright yellow or pale.
Turquoise
Turquoise has been a prized gemstone for thousands of years, but due to its rarity and increasing demand, many fakes have appeared on the market. Some turquoise stones are dyed howlite or magnesite, while others are synthetic imitations made in a lab.
How to spot a fake:
- Genuine turquoise is opaque and has a natural variation in color, ranging from blue to green. Fake turquoise often looks more uniform or has a plastic-like sheen.
Jade
Real jade, particularly nephrite and jadeite, is highly sought after. Counterfeit jade is often made from serpentine, a less expensive stone, or it may be treated to mimic the natural jade appearance. Some fake jade is simply plastic or glass.
How to spot a fake:
- Authentic jade is dense and cool to the touch, while plastic or resin fakes will feel lighter and warmer.
- Genuine jade has subtle color variations and a smooth, waxy appearance, while fakes may appear more polished or glossy.
Labradorite
Labradorite’s striking play of colors, known as "labradorescence," is often imitated in cheap glass or synthetic stones. The real gem will display flashes of blue, green, or gold, while fakes may have a more static, less vibrant shimmer.
How to spot a fake:
- Real labradorite has a strong iridescence that changes depending on the angle of the light. Fake stones may lack the depth or shimmer.
Quartz (Clear and Rose Quartz)
Clear quartz and rose quartz are commonly faked or artificially enhanced. For example, some "rose quartz" pieces are actually glass that has been dyed pink or made from low-quality quartz treated to appear more translucent.
How to spot a fake:
- Genuine rose quartz is often cloudy or opaque, with a soft pink hue. If the stone is too clear or has a deep, even color, it may be fake.
- Clear quartz should have a pure, transparent appearance but can show natural inclusions and cracks. Fake quartz might appear flawless or have a plastic-like quality.
How to Detect Faked Crystals
To ensure that your crystal is authentic, consider the following tips:
- Visual Inspection: Look for natural variations, inclusions, and imperfections. Crystals are rarely perfect in appearance. A flawless, uniform stone could be an indication that it’s man-made.
- Feel: Many genuine crystals have a cool, smooth texture, especially when held in your hand. Fakes, particularly glass or plastic imitations, will feel warmer and lighter.
- Hardness Test: Crystals have specific hardness levels. For example, quartz (including amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz) ranks 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. A real quartz crystal should scratch glass but not be scratched by a steel nail. Keep in mind that this test can cause damage to more delicate stones, so it’s only for confident testers.
- Price: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Genuine crystals, particularly rare or high-quality ones, come with a price tag that reflects their rarity and natural origin. Be cautious of deals that seem unusually cheap.
- Buy from Reputable Sellers: When purchasing crystals, buy from trusted dealers who can provide authenticity certificates or clear information on where the stones were sourced. Sellers with transparency about their sourcing and treatment practices are more likely to sell genuine crystals.
Countries That Export Faked Crystals
Certain countries are more likely to export fake or treated crystals due to the high demand for affordable products. China, for instance, is a major player in the global crystal market and is known for producing a significant amount of synthetic and treated gemstones. While China also produces high-quality, genuine crystals, there is a large market for cheaper alternatives, which leads to the prevalence of fake stones.
Other countries, including India and parts of Southeast Asia, are also known for producing a variety of imitation crystals, often for export. In these regions, the production of treated or altered stones is often done to mimic more expensive materials like jade or turquoise.
Until next time
Crystals are beautiful, powerful, and highly coveted, but it’s crucial to know how to distinguish between real and fake stones! Whether you’re collecting crystals for their aesthetic appeal or for their metaphysical properties, understanding the common fakes and knowing how to test them can help you make informed purchases. Always be cautious of suspiciously low prices and consider buying from reputable sellers who are transparent about the sourcing and treatment of their crystals.
By learning to spot the differences between genuine and counterfeit stones, you’ll ensure that your crystal collection is authentic, high-quality, and truly reflective of nature’s wonders!
Xoxo,
Prettygoods
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