Fake Crystals Vs Real Crystals - How To Spot A Fake

Over the last few years, crystal jewellery has grown in popularity, thanks to its healing properties. With a rise in demand for the likes of amethyst and rose quartz, more fake gems have appeared on the market. 

Although you might be savvy enough to realise when a deal is too good to be true, and the crystal advertised is likely to be fake, the only way to be certain is to see and feel the gem in real life. 

So, if you would like to buy crystal necklaces or bracelets but are unsure of how to tell whether it is authentic or counterfeit, read on for tips on how to spot the difference. 

Lukewarm to touch

If it feels lukewarm when you touch it, this means it is likely to be fake, as real crystals are cool. What’s more, they conduct heat easily so they can warm up quickly if exposed to heat. 

Too light

As real crystals contain other minerals and metals, they are typically quite heavy. However, fake ones generally contain mostly glass, which is why they are usually light when picked up. 

Air bubbles

If you spot air bubbles inside of the gem, you know it is not authentic. While cracks and scratches are usual on natural crystals, air bubbles indicate the stone is actually glass. 

You might need to hold it up to a magnifying glass to spot them, as they can be difficult to see. 

Melts when put to a flame

Although you wouldn’t reach for a lighter in a store, if you really want to determine whether a crystal is real or not, the flame test is usually quite accurate. 

Should the stone melt, smoke or smell, or the dye run, this means it is not real. Although natural crystals can change form under heat, the flame from a match or lighter is not hot enough for this. 

Light looks dull

Put the stone against a light and look through it to see whether it appears dull or flat. Real crystals react with light, either reflecting, diffracting, dispersing or scattering it, whereas counterfeit ones do not. 

Silly name

Crystals have been around for thousands of years, so their names, like carnelian, howlite and opalite, were written in history. 

Therefore, if you see a stone with a name that sounds modern or silly, this is a red flag that it is not real and you should walk away. 

Easily scratched

Although crystals can present with scratches on, they are hardwearing and very durable. However, fake ones can be scratched far more easily, and often expose their real colour underneath afterwards. 

Poor clarity 

Another way to tell whether a crystal is real or not is to look at its clarity. Authentic crystals appear transparent or translucent to let light pass through it, whereas you are unlikely to be able to see through a fake one as the clarity is far lower. 

Although some of these tests might need to be undertaken by a professional, many can be performed by yourself as soon as you see the gemstone, helping you to work out whether the deal really is too good to be true.