What You Need to Know to Tell Real Crystals From Cheap Fakes

Distinguishing between real crystals and fake ones can be a challenge, especially as some fakes have become increasingly convincing over the years. To help you identify real crystals, here are some guidelines and tests you can use:

1. Authenticity Documentation:

• Ask for Documentation: When purchasing a crystal, especially a valuable or rare one, ask the seller for authenticity documentation or certificates. Reputable dealers often provide certificates of authenticity.

2. Visual Inspection:

• Natural Imperfections: Real crystals typically have natural imperfections, inclusions, or irregularities within their structure. These imperfections are often absent in fake crystals, which may appear too perfect.

3. Weight and Temperature:

• Weight: Genuine crystals tend to be heavier than their synthetic counterparts. However, this can vary depending on the type of crystal.
• Temperature: Real crystals often feel colder to the touch than fake ones. This is because crystals are generally better conductors of heat than most synthetic materials.

4. Crystal Structure:

• Crystallography: If you have some knowledge of crystallography, you can examine the crystal’s geometric structure. Each crystal type has specific angles between its facets that are consistent across genuine specimens.

5. Price and Rarity:

• Price: If the price seems too good to be true for a crystal that is supposedly rare or valuable, exercise caution. Scammers often use lower prices to lure buyers into purchasing fake crystals.

6. Sound Test:

• Tapping: Gently tap the crystal with your fingernail or a metal object like a fork. Real crystals often produce a clear, melodious sound known as a “ping.” Synthetic crystals may produce a dull or flat sound.

7. Transparency and Clarity:

• Inclusions: Real crystals can contain various types of inclusions, such as minerals or other crystals trapped inside. Synthetic crystals may lack these natural inclusions.
• Clarity: Genuine crystals can range from completely transparent to opaque, depending on the type. If a crystal is too perfectly clear, it could be a synthetic.

8. Density and Hardness:

• Density: Some fakes are lighter than real crystals. You can compare the weight of the crystal to known genuine specimens of the same type.
• Hardness: Crystals have specific hardness levels on the Mohs scale. You can test the crystal’s hardness using known materials and see if it scratches or is scratched by them.

9. Fluorescence and Luminescence:

• Fluorescence: Some crystals exhibit fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. You can use a UV light source to test for this property.
• Luminescence: Crystals may also exhibit luminescence when exposed to other light sources.

10. Expert Consultation:

• Seek Expert Opinion: If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a crystal, consider consulting with a reputable geologist, gemologist, or crystal expert who can use specialized tools and knowledge to assess the crystal.

Remember that some fake crystals can be quite convincing, so it’s essential to combine multiple tests and consult experts when in doubt. Additionally, educating yourself about the specific characteristics of the type of crystal you’re interested in can greatly enhance your ability to identify real crystals from fakes.