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Clear quartz can help you focus and clear your mind, but how can you tell if your crystal is the real deal? Unfortunately, there are many crystal scams out there, and some people may claim they’re selling you clear quartz when, in reality, it’s glass. But worry not because there are plenty of ways to solve the real vs. fake debate! Real quartz has imperfections, is cool to the touch, and can scratch glass. To learn additional ways to tell if your crystal is real or fake, read on.

Things You Should Know

  • Notice if your crystal seems too perfect, as natural imperfections are what give crystals their healing energies.
  • Press your crystal between your hands and see if it’s cool or warm to the touch—cool means it’s the real deal.
  • Scratch your crystal against glass. If the glass scratches, the quartz is real—it's harder than glass on the Mohs scale.
1

Inclusions

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  1. An inclusion is when something gets trapped inside a mineral as it grows. These naturally cause fractures or bubbles to form inside the crystal, giving the crystal imperfections. Real clear quartz may have inclusions that make the inside of the crystal appear scratched or foggy, while fake glass quartz may appear completely perfect.[1]
    • Some inclusions can’t be seen with the naked eye. Try putting your crystal under a microscope to see if you can spot any imperfections.
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3

Scratch test

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  1. The Mohs scale is used in geology to measure the hardness of minerals. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardiest, clear quartz has a hardness of 7.[3] Glass, on the other hand, has an average hardness of 5.5. Perform a hardness test by scratching the crystal on a piece of glass. If the glass scratches, the quartz is most likely real.[4]
    • This test may not work if you have polished clear quartz, as a sharp edge is needed to scratch the glass.
    • Consider purchasing a Mohs hardness test kit if you plan to test multiple crystals.[5]
    • You can also try scratching the quartz on a steel or ceramic plate.
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About This Article

Sam Lagor, MSc
Co-authored by:
Geologist
This article was co-authored by Sam Lagor, MSc and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. 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 69,180 times.
63 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: September 18, 2024
Views: 69,180
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 69,180 times.

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