Are You Sure Your Crystals Are Authentic?

15 min read

Ensuring the Authenticity of our crystals

At Sylvia Crystals, we understand the importance of authenticity in the crystal industry. As a trusted supplier of genuine, high-quality minerals and crystals, we take pride in our rigorous verification processes and commitment to transparency. In this article, we'll delve into the measures we take to ensure the authenticity of our products, providing our customers with the confidence they deserve.

The Foundation of Authenticity

We only collaborate with trusted suppliers who share our dedication to authenticity. Each crystal is accompanied by detailed documentation, including its origin and any treatments it may have undergone. This ensures that our customers receive accurate information about their crystals, allowing them to make informed decisions.

Our team of experts conducts thorough inspections of each crystal, utilizing various methods to confirm their authenticity:

• Visual Inspection - authentic crystals often exhibit natural imperfections, such as inclusions or color variations, which are absent in synthetic counterparts.
• Hardness Testing - by employing the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, we can differentiate between genuine crystals and imitations.
• Spectroscopic Analysis - this technique allows us to identify the unique spectral patterns of each crystal, ensuring they are natural.
• We provide certificates of authenticity for our crystals, offering transparency and assurance to our customers. This documentation serves as a guarantee of our commitment to authenticity and quality.
• We believe in empowering our customers with knowledge. This blog features resources and guides on identifying genuine crystals, helping customers make informed decisions. By educating our customers, we promote a culture of transparency and authenticity in the crystal industry.

At Sylvia Crystals, we're dedicated to providing genuine, high-quality minerals and crystals. By adhering to our rigorous verification processes, sourcing from reputable suppliers, and committing to transparency, we ensure that every product we offer is authentic, ethically sourced, and of the highest quality. Visit our website to learn more about our authenticity protocols and explore our collection of genuine crystals.

Learn tips to check Crystal Authenticity

The Weight of Authenticity

Genuine crystals are denser than their artificial counterparts due to their natural formation process. Artificial crystals, often made from glass or synthetic materials, are typically lighter. Check the weight of your crystal; if it feels unusually light, it may be a sign of artificiality. Lets take Pyrite for example, an artificial Pyrite crystal, crafted from synthetic materials, may appear similar at first glance, but it will lack the weight, the texture, and the energetic vibration of its natural counterpart. It may be lighter, more brittle, and more prone to damage, revealing its artificial nature to the discerning eye. 

The Cold Touch of Authenticity

Authentic crystals tend to feel cold to the touch, as they are poor conductors of heat. This is particularly true for crystals like Agate, a majestic and ancient stone that has been prized for its beauty and spiritual significance for centuries. A genuine Agate crystal, with its intricate bands and swirling patterns, will often feel cool to the touch. This is due to its unique composition, which is characterized by a slow and gradual absorption of heat. On the other hand, artificial crystals, particularly those made from resin or glass, will warm up more quickly, revealing their synthetic nature. If your crystal feels warm to the touch, it may indicate that it's a fake, lacking the natural, earthy essence that only a genuine crystal can possess. Artificial crystals, particularly those made from resin or glass, will warm up more quickly. If your crystal feels warm to the touch, it may indicate that it’s a fake.

The Muted Hues of Nature

Real crystals often display muted, earthy colours, whereas artificial crystals may exhibit vibrant, unnatural hues. Be cautious of crystals with extreme colours, as they may have been dyed or treated to enhance their appearance. For instance, a genuine Carnelian crystal will often exhibit a warm, earthy red colour. This natural coloration is a result of the crystal's unique mineral composition, which includes iron oxide and other earthy elements.

The UV Light Test

A simple yet effective test can reveal the truth about your crystal's origins. Exposing your crystal to UV light can be a telling indicator of its genuineness. Genuine crystals, such as Calcite, typically exhibit fluorescence under UV light, emitting a soft, ethereal glow. This natural fluorescence is a result of the crystal's unique mineral composition and internal structure. To conduct this test, find a dark room and a UV light source. Hold your crystal under the light and observe its reaction. If you see a slight, natural fluorescence, then you're likely holding the real deal. The Calcite crystal, with its delicate, feathery patterns, is a perfect example of a genuine crystal that exhibits fluorescence under UV light.

The Clarity of Transparency

Most genuine crystals are transparent, allowing light to pass through to a certain degree. It takes a little practice but, once you’ve seen enough crystals, you’ll get a sense for how much opacity they should have. If your crystal appears cloudy or opaque and lacks clarity, it may be a sign of artificiality or treatment. Most genuine crystals, such as Clear Quartz, are transparent, allowing light to pass through to a certain degree. This transparency is a result of the crystal's unique mineral composition and internal structure. Clear Quartz, with its sparkling clarity, is a perfect example of a genuine crystal that embodies this characteristic. Observe your crystal's transparency and let its clarity reveal its true nature.   

The Absence of Air Bubbles

Natural crystals formed over time in geological environments rarely contain air bubbles. Artificial crystals, however, may retain air bubbles during production. Natural crystals, like  Amethyst, rarely contain air bubbles. The extreme conditions under which they form ensure that any air present is blasted to the surface, leaving the crystal clear and unblemished. This is a testament to the crystal's natural origins, a guarantee that it has been crafted by the earth's own hands, without human interference. 

The Imperfections of Nature

Genuine crystals often display unique shapes, irregularities, and asymmetries due to their natural formation process. Artificial crystals, on the other hand, may exhibit an unnatural level of perfection. Be wary of crystals that appear too perfect or symmetrical. Take, for instance, Stalactites, a type of crystal that forms in caves and underground caverns. Their unique, irregular shapes are a result of the enormous passage of time, paired with a millennia of mineral-rich water dripping. Resulting in  this wonderful gift from mother nature herself.  Each Stalactite is a one-of-a-kind creation, bearing the scars and imperfections of its natural formation process.

The Scratch Test

Imitation crystals are softer than their natural counterparts and can scratch more easily. If your crystal is prone to scratches, it may be a sign of artificiality. If it's quartz, none of the faces will scratch but if it has multiple harnesses, the softer faces will scratch (look for scratches with a hand lens).

The Price of Authenticity

Consider Sunstone, Its metallic adularescence, a result of the presence of copper or hematite, gives it a unique and captivating appearance. Due to its rarity and demand, genuine Sunstone crystals can command a high market value. If you come across a Sunstone crystal that is significantly cheaper than its market value, it may be a sign that it is not entirely natural.

 The Exotic Enchantment

Be cautious of crystals with extravagant or exotic names that seem too good to be true. These may be marketing tactics to make the crystal appear more unique than it actually is. Investigate further to ensure the crystal's authenticity. For instance, crystals like "Aurora Quartz", "Galactic Amethyst", or "Mystic Topaz" may sound appealing, but they may not be entirely genuine

The Magnifying Glass Test

Peer closely at your crystal's surface, scrutinising it for subtle imperfections that are hallmarks of authenticity. Genuine crystals often bear tiny inclusions, hairline fractures, or irregular patterns that tell the story of their formation. Observe the crystal's overall lucidity and transparency; authentic crystals typically possess a certain degree of clarity, permitting light to pass through with minimal distortion. If your crystal appears suspiciously flawless, symmetrical, or devoid of these natural characteristics, it may arouse doubts about its legitimacy or suggest that it has undergone heat treatment. Remember, a genuine crystal's true beauty lies in its natural essence, not in its elaborate labelling or artificial enhancements.

Keep our tips in mind, and let the power of authenticity guide your crystal journey.

 

At Sylvia Crystals, we are committed to providing the highest quality minerals and crystals. To demonstrate this commitment, each stone comes with a certification of authenticity.