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How to tell if a Gemstone or Crystal is Fake

No one wants to study geology in an effort to avoid being scammed with fake gemstones. Artificial glass and manufactured quartz are the latest craze to those that don’t understand the power behind the source. However, there are a few signs to look for when purchasing crystals to know how to tell if a gemstone or crystal is fake.

Glass is Easy to Spot

Quartz is seasoned and cooled for centuries and has a geometrically perfect molecular structure, as all crystals do. Glass is quickly cooled to produce fast results. Because of the lack of time for conditioning, glass will have tiny air bubbles that have not been allowed to arrange in a pattern. There is one exception; clear Enhydro quartz refers to crystal that has fluid, gas or carbon bubbles beneath the surface. These bubbles will appear to have motion while glass bubbles do not.

Colored Quartz or Citrine

Quartz, citrine and amethyst glass pieces are often dyed to increase the clarity of the color. While the vibrant fuchsia, deep blue agate and yellow hues are beautiful, they also point to being fakes. Look at the cracks and you will see a darkened color where the dye has gathered.

Unnatural Formations

Tech companies use labs to manufacture high quality quartz crystals for electronics. Using a hydrothermal process, lower quality quartz can be forced into designed that promote new growth patterns. A stepped apex is the result and may form 3 facets instead of the usual 6 facet hexagon pattern. This process can also leave pieces with a greenish tint.

Hematite is not magnetic

Shops that advertise the power of hematite with magnetic characteristics are peddling man-made pieces. The power of the magnetism is due to the powdered iron oxide that is attached to a strong magnet. It is then buffed to a brilliant shine. Genuine hematite will not have magnetic properties.

Finding credible dealers can be a challenge when buying genuine crystals or gemstones. Price is not always a dead give-a-way, but the reputation of the company can put you on high alert. Do a little bit of research on new dealers and steer clear of inexpensive wares from China. Check out the credentials of website owners. There are many credible sources for finding real crystals and gems, but also some that only want to sell manufactured products.  These are a few signs to know how to tell if a gemstone or crystal is fake

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