How To Tell If A Crystal Is Real: 10 Signs + Common Fakes - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Tell if a Crystal Is Real PDF download Download Article Explore this Article Sections 1 Signs a Crystal Is Fake 2 Do heat-treated crystals count as fake? 3 How do synthetic crystals compare to natural ones? 4 The Most Commonly Faked Crystals + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Sam Lagor, MSc and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: December 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Sam Lagor, MSc and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Sam Lagor is a Geologist with over eight years of experience. He specializes in engineering geology (dams, bridges, and tunnels) and mineral exploration (gold, lead/zinc, andindustrial minerals). Sam holds a BS in Geology from St. Lawrence University and an MS in Geology from The University of Vermont. He is also a member of the Geological Society of America and the American Institute of Professional Geologists. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 201,630 times.

You sense that a crystal in your collection isn’t working very well and you suspect it might be fake, but how can you tell? There are a lot of signs to look for, from the crystal shop itself to the way it feels in your hand, to determine whether a crystal is legit or not. That’s why we’ve put together a handy guide to identifying fake crystals, plus what it’s like working with heat-treated and synthetic varieties. If you’re ready to put your collection to the test, keep scrolling!

Telling if a Crystal is Real

Tap the crystal gently—a real crystal makes a resonant sound, unlike fake ones made of glass or plastic. In your hand, it will feel heavier than it looks like it should if it's real. Most crystals also won't have air bubbles, unlike glass.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Signs a Crystal Is Fake

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  1. Step 1 The crystal feels suspiciously light when you hold it. 1 The crystal feels suspiciously light when you hold it. Natural crystals contain metals and other inclusions from their formation in the earth that weigh them down, whereas fakes might be mostly glass. In some cases, a real crystal might weigh the same as a fake that’s twice the size.[1]
  2. Step 2 The crystal feels too warm to the touch. 2 The crystal feels too warm to the touch. Real crystals don’t retain heat for very long and should feel cold to the touch. Pick one up and gauge its temperature—if it’s real, it’ll feel colder than your hand and probably colder than the ambient room temperature, too. If it’s warm or feels like room temperature, then it’s probably not the real deal.[2] Advertisement
  3. Step 3 The crystal’s color is super bright compared to other stones. 3 The crystal’s color is super bright compared to other stones. Many real crystals are bright too, but they’ll look translucent or a little muted compared to dyed fakes. If a gem looks exceedingly bright or saturated (think highlighter yellows or neon pinks), there’s a good chance it was dyed to look more attractive.[3]
    • Look at the little fractures and crevices on the crystal's surface. If you see darker colors there, it means dye pigment has accumulated in the cracks.
  4. Step 4 The crystal has tiny air bubbles inside of it. 4 The crystal has tiny air bubbles inside of it. When a real crystal is formed naturally in the earth, it might show cracks, scratches, or small particles inside of it, but never bubbles. Air bubbles are an immediate sign that the stone is probably glass that was cut to look like a crystal.[4]
    • The bubbles might not be noticeable right away—hold the crystal up to your eye or use a magnifying glass to look deep inside.
  5. Step 5 The crystal looks too clear, perfect, or glass-like. 5 The crystal looks too clear, perfect, or glass-like. Very few natural crystals have perfect clarity, especially colored gems like emeralds or topaz—that’s why it’s such an expensive and prized quality.[5] Instead, most real crystals have crisscrossing fractures or hydrothermal veins inside or attached to its walls. Look out for these inclusions while you shop (even if you’re looking at pictures online). If they’re absent, the “crystal” is likely glass.[6]
    • Glass imposters will have super sharp, clear angles and look highly polished (natural crystals are rarely cut as precisely as glass).
    • Hold your suspicious crystal up to some writing. Real crystals will distort the letters in many directions, but glass will just magnify them.[7]
    • Compare the price of the crystal to its clarity. If you see a large, perfect emerald that isn’t thousands of dollars, for example, then chances are it’s synthetic.[8]
  6. Step 6 The crystal shatters or gets scratched easily. 6 The crystal shatters or gets scratched easily. Many (but not all) of the most common healing crystals are fairly hard—at least a 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. They’re pretty resistant to damage when they’re dropped or scratched. Glass is only a 5.5 on the Mohs scale.[9] If you think a crystal is fake, look up its supposed hardness and test it by trying to scratch a glass sheet with it—if it’s genuine and the right hardness, it should leave a mark.[10]
    • This test won’t work for soft crystals like selenite or fluorite, which are below 5 on the Mohs scale.
    • Alternatively, try the drop test. Hard crystals like quartz (a 7 on the Mohs scale) will not break, but glass will shatter or partially break inside its walls.[11]
  7. Step 7 The crystal smokes, smells, or melts when it’s exposed to a flame. 7 The crystal smokes, smells, or melts when it’s exposed to a flame. If you suspect you’re working with a fake, hold your crystal over a lighter for 10 to 20 seconds. If there’s any plastic, it’ll start to melt or morph. Real crystals change with heat too, but not at the relatively low temperature of a lighter.[12]
    • This trick is great for exposing plastic, but won’t work if your crystal contains glass.
    • Do this test at home on crystals you already own (most shopkeepers won’t appreciate torching their products in the store!).
    • Plastic crystals will also feel lighter than real ones and scratch more easily.
  8. Step 8 The crystal has an eccentric, silly, or fruity name. 8 The crystal has an eccentric, silly, or fruity name. Some genuine crystals do have enticing names, but many that sound too “fun” or descriptive are typically a marketing device for fake stones. A fake rose quartz might be a piece of colored glass marketed as Rosey Quartz, for example, or strawberry quartz (which is real but rare) might be a fake that’s dyed to be extra bright-colored.[13]
    • If a name strikes you as odd and the crystal looks suspiciously clear, sparkly, and perfect, then it's most likely an imposter.
  9. Step 9 The price seems too low for a quality crystal. 9 The price seems too low for a quality crystal. If you spot a deal for a crystal that seems too good to be true, then it probably is (especially online). Look for your desired crystal at multiple retailers to get a sense of the standard price range, size, and quality. A low price doesn’t always mean it’s a fake, but be prepared to look for other clues to reveal its authenticity.
  10. Step 10 The retailer doesn’t seem to know much about their crystals. 10 The retailer doesn’t seem to know much about their crystals. Crystal shoppers have questions that a reputable seller could answer easily and in detail. If you walk into a shop and the seller only gives vague, unhelpful answers, it could be a sign they’re not selling genuine crystals.[14] If you’re buying online, read customer reviews to get a sense of the retailer’s reputation. Fake products are a big red flag!
    • Look at the number of rare crystals the shop has. If there’s a massive stock of an uncommon stone, chances are that at least some of them are imposters.
    • Real crystals have an energy you can sense. Trust your intuition if you feel like the shop isn’t supplying genuine crystals.
    11. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Do heat-treated crystals count as fake?

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  1. Heat treatment enhances natural crystals and isn’t considered fake. Heat treatment enhances natural crystals and isn’t considered fake. Many common healing stones, like citrine or aquamarine, are heated to improve their color. Heat is a natural element of crystal formation in the earth, and it can be almost impossible to tell whether a crystal was heated before or after mining without a microscope and a well-trained eye.[15]
    • Energetically, heated crystals are almost as vibrant as the stones you’d pluck from the ground and are used by professional healers with great success.[16]
    • Natural heating in the earth and laboratory heating after mining produce nearly identical results.
    • Even professional jewelers label gems and crystals as “probably heat treated” since it’s so hard to tell!
Section 3 of 4:

How do synthetic crystals compare to natural ones?

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  1. Synthetic crystals are chemically identical but energetically weaker. Synthetic crystals are chemically identical but energetically weaker. They’re made in labs and mimic real crystals so closely that it’s difficult to spot the difference—they’re typically clearer and lack the complex geometric structures found in nature. As a result, they only vibrate with about a third of the energy of earth-formed crystals.[17]
    • Synthetics are a great option for attractive, affordable, and ethically-sourced jewelry.
    • Research the average price for the crystal you’re interested in. If the price seems low, you’re probably looking at a man-made crystal.
    • Natural crystals get energy from the unique and rare combination of chemicals, heat, pressure, and luck found naturally within the earth.
    2. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

The Most Commonly Faked Crystals

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  1. Quartz, amethyst, moldavite, and turquoise are popularly faked crystals. Quartz, amethyst, moldavite, and turquoise are popularly faked crystals. They’re relatively in demand and popular, which means shady retailers can profit off of dyed stones and glass or plastic fakes. Scrutinize these stones extra hard when you’re crystal shopping:
    • Moldavite is popular on TikTok and it’s hard to spot the real thing since it’s a natural glass. Other glasses like obsidian are easily faked, too.[18]
    • Any quartz can be convincingly faked, especially clear or rose quartz. The imposters are usually made of glass.
    • Colored glass is also commonly passed off as amethyst, and it can be difficult to tell the difference.
    • Lapiz lazuli, citrine, turquoise, carnelian, agate, and pink or purple jade are commonly faked by dyeing less valuable stones to look more high-quality.
    • Other common fakes include malachite, fluorite, larimar, and peridot.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question How can you check the purity of blue sapphire? Kennon Young Kennon Young Master Gemologist Appraiser Kennon Young is a Master Gemologist Appraiser and the Owner of Vermont Gemological Laboratory in Burlington, Vermont. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kennon and his team specialize in handmade engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom jewelry. He attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Rhode Island School of Design Extension. He is a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician and received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016. Kennon Young Kennon Young Master Gemologist Appraiser Expert Answer It's best to take it to a gemologist who can test its purity with gemological instruments like refractometers. Search for a local gemologist online, or check with an organization like the American Gemological Association—they list all of their gemologists on their website. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 40
  • Question What are the three most rare crystals? Echo L Echo L Community Answer The three rarest crystals are Moldavite, Strawberry Quartz, and Larimar. Moldavite, formed from meteorite impacts, is extremely hard to find and often faked; Strawberry Quartz is genuinely rare, but many examples are dyed glass; and Larimar, found only in the Dominican Republic, is special and frequently counterfeited. Always be cautious if you see these crystals at bargain prices or if they look too perfect, as they are likely not authentic. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Tips

  • Be cautious of what you hear about crystals on social media. Many influencers aren’t as knowledgeable about their uses and properties as reputable retailers or healers. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 1
  • Some crystals, like obsidian, are naturally made of glass. However, there are imposters on the market that are just dyed glass meant to look like real stones. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 2
  • It’s perfectly safe to work with fake crystals since they can’t harm you. The downside is simply that they probably won’t work for healing, manifesting, or meditating like you want them to! Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 4

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Air bubbles don't always indicate that a crystal is fake—it depends on the type of crystal. Moldavite, for example, should always have air bubbles.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.centreofexcellence.com/how-to-tell-if-a-crystal-is-real/
  2. ↑ https://www.centreofexcellence.com/how-to-tell-if-a-crystal-is-real/
  3. ↑ https://www.centreofexcellence.com/how-to-tell-if-a-crystal-is-real/
  4. ↑ https://thezenuniverse.org/know-healing-crystals-legit-fake/
  5. ↑ https://www.rockseeker.com/synthetic-gemstones/
  6. ↑ https://www.neocrystals.com/how-to-tell-if-clear-quartz-is-real-or-fake
  7. ↑ https://thezenuniverse.org/know-healing-crystals-legit-fake/
  8. ↑ https://www.rockseeker.com/synthetic-gemstones/
  9. ↑ https://www.nps.gov/articles/mohs-hardness-scale.htm
More References (9)
  1. ↑ Sam Lagor, MSc. Geologist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.neocrystals.com/how-to-tell-if-clear-quartz-is-real-or-fake
  3. ↑ https://yesdirt.com/how-to-tell-if-a-crystal-is-real-with-a-lighter/
  4. ↑ https://thezenuniverse.org/know-healing-crystals-legit-fake/
  5. ↑ https://thezenuniverse.org/know-healing-crystals-legit-fake/
  6. ↑ https://www.gemsociety.org/article/gemstone-treatment-and-enhancement/
  7. ↑ https://happysoulonline.com/blogs/news/the-energy-of-fake-crystals
  8. ↑ https://happysoulonline.com/blogs/news/the-energy-of-fake-crystals
  9. ↑ https://www.rockseeker.com/synthetic-gemstones/

About This Article

Sam Lagor, MSc Co-authored by: Sam Lagor, MSc Geologist This article was co-authored by Sam Lagor, MSc and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Sam Lagor is a Geologist with over eight years of experience. He specializes in engineering geology (dams, bridges, and tunnels) and mineral exploration (gold, lead/zinc, andindustrial minerals). Sam holds a BS in Geology from St. Lawrence University and an MS in Geology from The University of Vermont. He is also a member of the Geological Society of America and the American Institute of Professional Geologists. This article has been viewed 201,630 times. 4 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10 Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 201,630 Categories: Rocks and Minerals In other languages Dutch Portuguese Vietnamese Spanish Italian French Indonesian Arabic Chinese German Japanese
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Reader Success Stories

  • Ernian R

    Ernian R

    Feb 8, 2023

    "This is great! It showed me that either the crystal are fake or real and it showed me all their materials."
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Sam Lagor, MSc Co-authored by: Sam Lagor, MSc Geologist Co-authors: 10 Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 201,630 100% of readers found this article helpful. 4 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Ernian R

Ernian R

Feb 8, 2023

"This is great! It showed me that either the crystal are fake or real and it showed me all their materials." Midnight Jones

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Mar 20, 2023

"This is very useful. Now I can sale my rose and clear quartz without anyone telling me it's fake." Rated this article: Melissa Ganz

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"A simple and clear explanation of fake or real crystals and much more." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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