How to Spot Fake Crystals: A Guide for Beginners

Crystals have become incredibly popular in recent years, not just for their beauty but also for their use in healing, meditation and energy work. But with rising demand comes an increase in fakes. Whether you’re a collector, spiritual practitioner or a casual buyer, it’s important to know how to spot fake crystals and understand the key differences between real and synthetic ones.

In this guide, we’ll explore the tell tale signs of fake crystals, provide examples of common fakes and share some tips to help you buy with confidence.

1. Understand the Basics: Natural vs Fake Crystals

What counts as a fake crystal?  Before we dive into specific signs, it's helpful to know what counts as a fake crystal.  Real crystals are naturally occurring minerals formed over thousands - sometimes millions - of years beneath the Earth’s surface. Each has unique properties, chemical compositions and energies.

Fake crystals fall into a number of categories:

Dyed stones - Real crystals enhanced with artificial colour

Glass imitations - completely man made

Synthetic, lab-grown crystals - chemically identically but created and grown in laboratories. 

Plastic or resin copies

2. Look Closely: Key Signs of a Fake Crystal

Here are some of the most common giveaways:

The colour is too bright/vibrant - if the colour looks too perfect, perhaps almost neon, it may be dyed or artificial. 

Example -  A vivid blue “quartz” could be glass or dyed howlite. Natural quartz doesn’t come in bright blue.

Air Bubbles - Real crystals rarely have air bubbles inside. Bubbles often indicate glass.

Example - Fake amethyst made from purple glass often has small round bubbles within.

Uniformity - Nature is perfectly imperfect. Real crystals usually have some inconsistencies such as cracks, colour zoning or inclusions.

Example: A perfectly clear “quartz point” with no inclusions and flawless clarity is probably glass.

Weight - Glass or plastic fakes are often lighter than the real stone. Weight matters, real crystals tend to feel denser.

Heat Sensitivity - Real crystals tend to stay cool to the touch, even on warm days. Plastic and glass warm up quickly.

Price - If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Genuine crystals like moldavite, turquoise or larimar command higher prices due to rarity.

3. Know the Commonly Faked Crystals

Here are a few crystals that are often faked and how to identify the real ones:

Amethyst

• Fake: Bright purple glass with air bubbles

• Real: Slight colour zoning, often with white or clear sections; no bubbles

  
  

Citrine

• Fake: Heat-treated amethyst that appears burnt orange or rust-coloured

• Real: Light yellow to golden colour, even and soft tone

Turquoise

• Fake: Dyed howlite or plastic (very light, overly blue)

• Real: May have a natural matrix or webbing; heavier and not evenly coloured

Quartz Points

• Fake: Molded glass with smooth, rounded edges or no natural imperfections

• Real: Irregular shapes, sometimes with inclusions, cloudy spots, or growth lines

Malachite

• Fake: Plastic with repetitive swirls or patterns

• Real: Varying patterns, rich green shades, heavier than plastic

4. Ask the Seller Questions

Don’t be afraid to quiz the seller, especially at metaphysical shops or markets. Ask them where the crystal was sourced, whether it is lab grown or natural and whether it is dyed or heat treated.  Reputable sellers should be transparent and will be happy to answer your questions. If they can’t answer basic questions, proceed with caution.

5. Trust Reputable Sources

Buy from crystal shops, metaphysical stores or online retailers known for ethical sourcing. Look at their history, whether they have any information about ethical trading and sourcing.  Check their reviews and return policies; a legitimate seller won’t hesitate to back their products - I recommend reading Ethical Trading and Fair Pricing in the Crystal World for my thoughts and stance on ethical sourcing.

Spotting fake crystals takes a sharp eye, a bit of knowledge and sometimes a little testing. By learning the key differences and being mindful of too perfect appearances or too good to be true prices, you can better protect yourself from fakes and build a collection of genuine, high-vibe stones.

Whether you're drawn to crystals for spiritual, aesthetic or geological reasons, authenticity matters. Stay curious, do your research and trust your instincts.