How to Know if Your Crystals Are Real

by Vickie Gould

Real crystals feel cool to the touch, carry natural imperfections, and hold subtle vibrations, while fakes are often too perfect, too light, or dyed. With a few simple checks, you can spot the difference and protect your energy practice.

Key things to remember:

Authentic crystals often show inclusions, cloudy areas, or natural variations.
Fake stones may have air bubbles, neon colors, or suspiciously low prices.
Genuine stones feel heavier and cooler than glass, resin, or plastic imitations.
Certain stones like turquoise, moonstone, citrine, and malachite are frequently faked.
Sourcing ethically matters as much as authenticity for aligned healing.

If you’ve ever bought a stone and later wondered if it was real, you’re not alone. That’s why Life Changing Energy exists, to give you accredited courses, continuing education, and trusted tools so you can work with confidence, not doubt.

Keep reading to learn how to test your crystals, avoid common mistakes, and find the authentic stones that truly support your healing journey.

Why Crystal Authenticity Matters

When you choose a crystal, you're not purchasing a pretty stone; you're connecting with energy. Authentic crystals are formed over thousands, sometimes millions of years, carrying natural vibrations that interact with your body and spirit.

Fake stones, whether they're dyed glass or resin, may look convincing but often feel flat, heavy in the wrong way, or energetically "off."

When a stone is misrepresented, like dyed howlite passed off as turquoise, it can be disappointing. You're expecting calming and protective properties but instead holding a stone that doesn't deliver the same resonance.

For healers, that means sessions fall flat. For self-healers, it can feel like you're doing all the right things but not getting results.

There's also the question of ethics. Even authentic stones may be mined under harmful labor conditions or without care for the earth. Many of today's buyers want not only genuine crystals, but responsibly sourced ones that align with their values.

Authenticity matters because your healing practice deserves tools that are genuine, effective, and aligned with your energy and integrity.

Signs of Fake Crystals

Not every stone sold as “healing” is the genuine article. Many imitations are designed to trick the eye; but sometimes, it’s not your eyes that reveal the truth, it’s your body. When I was little, my mother taught me how to test jade by pressing it to my cheek. “If it stays cold,” she said, “it’s real.” That memory still guides how I work with crystals today. When you know what to feel for, spotting fakes becomes second nature.

Here are the most frequent red flags:

Visual Red Flags

Neon or uniform coloring. Authentic crystals show natural variation. Ultra-bright or candy-colored stones are often dyed.
Air bubbles inside. A telltale sign of glass, not crystal.
Too-perfect patterns. Nature creates irregularity. Perfect symmetry often means the stone is man-made.

Physical Red Flags

Too light in weight. Resin or plastic imitations don't have the density of stone.
Room-temperature feel. Genuine crystals feel cool to the touch and warm slowly.
Dull thud when tapped. Authentic crystals give a resonant "ring," while glass or plastic sound flat.

Market Red Flags

Suspiciously low prices. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Over-the-top labels. Phrases like "RARE" or "MUSEUM QUALITY" without proof of origin are red flags.
Too much availability. Truly rare stones aren't sold in bulk across dozens of shops.

Knowing these signs helps you avoid wasting money and ensures your crystal practice stays aligned with authentic energy.

Crystals That Are Frequently Faked

Some stones are faked far more often than others, usually because they're popular, expensive, or visually distinctive. If you're shopping for any of the following, it's worth being extra cautious:

Quartz family (clear, rose, citrine). Clear quartz and rose quartz are affordable but highly in demand, making them easy targets for glass imitations. Citrine is frequently heat-treated amethyst, which changes its color but not its true identity.
Turquoise. True turquoise is rare and pricey. Many sellers substitute dyed howlite or magnesite, which have similar veining but lack turquoise's deeper energy.
Amethyst. While plentiful, high-quality amethyst is often imitated with colored glass or synthetics that look flawless but feel "empty."
Malachite. Known for its beautiful green banding, malachite is often faked with lightweight resin painted or dyed with repeating swirl patterns.
Moldavite. Genuine moldavite comes only from specific regions in the Czech Republic and is limited in supply. Counterfeit versions made of green glass flood the online market.
Lapis Lazuli. Authentic lapis shows golden flecks of pyrite and a rich, deep blue. Many fakes are dyed or made from composite materials pressed together.
Moonstone. True moonstone has a soft shimmer known as adularescence, a glow that seems to float under the surface. Fakes often use opalite, a man-made glass that appears more iridescent but lacks moonstone’s subtle play of light and natural layering

These stones are beloved for their healing properties, but because they're also the most counterfeited, they demand a closer look before purchase.

And a quick note, those crystal identification apps? They're fun, but notoriously inaccurate. Don’t rely on them as your only source of truth. When in doubt, trust your hands, your eyes, and a trusted seller.

Simple Ways to Identify Authentic Crystals

You don't need to be a geologist to test your crystals. Many authenticity checks can be done right at home.

Start with these simple methods:

Temperature test. Authentic crystals feel cool to the touch and warm slowly in your hand. Glass or plastic usually feels room-temperature right away.
Weight test. Genuine stones have a natural density that makes them feel heavier than resin or plastic imitations.
Magnification. With a jeweler's loupe or magnifying glass, look for natural inclusions, fractures, or wisps. Air bubbles, however, usually signal glass.
UV test. Some species fluoresce under a black light. While not universal, it can be a helpful clue when used alongside other checks.
DIY specific gravity test. For water-safe crystals, you can calculate density by weighing the stone in air and again in water (A/(A--W)). Authentic stones tend to match their known density ranges.

Many collectors warn against destructive tests like scratching or flame-testing. While often suggested online, these methods can damage genuine crystals and still leave you uncertain.

Stick to non-invasive checks whenever possible.

Specific Authenticity Checks

Each crystal has unique features that make it easier to tell the genuine from the fake. Here are quick guides for some of the most frequently questioned stones:

Rose Quartz. Genuine rose quartz has a soft, cloudy look with natural inclusions. If it's perfectly clear and bubble-free, it's likely glass.
Amethyst. Authentic amethyst often shows subtle shade variations within a single piece. A flat, uniform purple is a warning sign of synthetic material or dyed glass.
Turquoise. True turquoise is dense and varies in tone. Dyed howlite, often sold as turquoise, is lighter in weight and tends to have uniform coloring with dyed veining.
Citrine. Natural citrine is relatively rare and usually appears in soft, pale honey or smoky yellow hues. Most of what’s sold as “citrine” today is actually heat-treated amethyst, often darker, more orange-brown, and sometimes visibly “crackled” from the heating process. Technically, heated amethyst is still considered citrine by mineral standards, so it’s not necessarily “fake”, just manmade. Whether that matters is up to you. Citrine is hard to find in its natural state these days, so I don’t mind the treated version personally; but it’s worth asking questions so you know what you’re getting.
Malachite. Authentic malachite displays irregular banding in varying shades of green and feels heavy for its size. Resin imitations often show repeating swirl patterns and feel too light.

When in doubt, always compare your crystal to reference photos of verified specimens or consult a trusted seller.

Why DIY Can Fall Short

Trying to identify crystals on your own can feel empowering at first, but it often comes with hidden risks:

Risk of misidentifying stones (or damaging them): Many "at-home hacks" like scratch or flame tests can ruin a genuine crystal and still leave you uncertain.
Over-reliance on misleading online tricks: Viral posts often spread misinformation. What works for glass won't always apply to quartz, leaving you confused and frustrated.
Lack of community support: Without guidance, you're left second-guessing your findings. Many people end up with drawers of tools they don't feel confident using, a regret among new healers.

That's why we emphasize education with support. We don't hand you facts and walk away.

Our courses combine bite-sized, easy-to-finish lessons with a community that continues supporting you long after certification. You never feel alone or stuck.

Why Work With Life Changing Energy

The truth is, crystals aren't tools, they're extensions of your energy. And when you're learning how to identify, use, and trust them, you deserve guidance beyond guesswork and Google searches.

That's where Life Changing Energy comes in.

Ethical, practical, heart-led training – We don’t teach identification alone. We show you how to use crystals responsibly, ethically, and with spiritual integrity.
Bite-sized lessons you’ll actually finish – No overwhelm. Each certification is broken into easy, digestible steps designed to fit into real life.
Accredited and ideal for continuing education – Whether you’re a yoga teacher, energy worker, therapist, or simply someone ready to deepen their gifts, our courses give you recognized credentials and professional credibility.
Community-driven learning – You’re never left alone. Our support continues long after certification, so you always have guidance when you need it.

Trust Your Energy + Education

Learning how to spot authentic crystals is about avoiding fakes, protecting your practice, honoring your energy, and building confidence in your gifts.

And you don’t have to figure it out alone. With Life Changing Energy, you’ll find accredited training and a supportive community that helps you grow step by step.

Here’s where to begin:

Crystal Healer Certification – Learn to identify, cleanse, and use crystals ethically and effectively in your personal or professional practice.
Shop Authentic Crystals – Ethically sourced and energetically tested, so you can trust the tools you’re working with.
Explore Our Full Course Catalog – Our accredited programs support both beginners and experienced healers looking for meaningful continuing education.

Every authentic stone carries a story. Every healer carries a purpose. With the right training and the right tools, you can bring the two together, safely, powerfully, and with confidence.

✨ Begin your journey today, and let your healing ripple out into the world.

FAQ

Sometimes the simplest questions cut straight to the heart of crystal buying. Here are the answers people are most often searching for:

What's the easiest way to identify crystals?

Start with the basics: feel the temperature (authentic stones are cool) and use a jeweler's loupe to look for natural inclusions vs. bubbles.

How to check for purity?

Look for internal transparency with wisps or fractures (not bubbles), test for fluorescence under UV light, and always source from trusted suppliers who disclose origin.

How do I spot fake rose quartz?

Authentic rose quartz has a soft, milky-pink cloudiness. If it's perfectly clear or a neon-pink shade, it's likely glass or dyed.

What crystal is white with black lines?

That's usually howlite, a stone often left natural or dyed to imitate turquoise.

Where do I find authentic crystals?

Skip the bargain bins. Stick with geology shops, vetted holistic suppliers, or trusted online sellers with transparent sourcing and clear reviews.

Disclaimer: The practices and information shared in this blog are for educational and entertainment purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, nor are they a substitute for professional medical advice. Life Changing Energy and its representatives are not licensed medical doctors. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new wellness practice, especially if you are pregnant, have a medical condition, or are currently under medical care.