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September 14, 2021 Sheila Satin

Is Your Quartz Fake or Real?

sheila of satin crystals holding up a martini glass and a clear quartz sphere

Is your Quartz real or fake? How can you be sure? Is Clarified Quartz fake or real? What's the difference between real, reconstituted, synthetic, and fake glass or plastic Quartz crystals? Let's find out!

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Watch the video on fake vs real Quartz

Watch the video on Real vs Fake Quartz to see examples and hear the explanation on both. 

What is Quartz? 

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on earth. It is found worldwide from the sand you walk on to the mountain tops you climb. In its most pure form, it is a clear crystal also known as Rock Crystal. In its many variations, it can be found in a vast number of colors, shapes, and formations. 

To learn in-depth about Quartz, visit Quartz Crystal Meaning.

Is Clear Quartz rare?

Clear Quartz is very common. Then why does so much fake Quartz exists on the market? Simple. Most Clear Quartz will contain inclusions. Clear Quartz without inclusions is rare.

Collectors and some healers seek Quartz that is so clear that it's as see-through as glass. Unfortunately, that's how they sometimes end up with glass posing as Quartz. 

Real Clear Quartz without any inclusions is very rare. If you do find it, it will have a high price tag to match. 

sheila of satin crystals holding real quartz and glass

How do you know if your Quartz is real?

The best way to determine if your Quartz is real is to find a reputable seller who knows what they are selling you.

If you do not have access to a reputable seller, here are some tips to follow to tell if your Quartz is real: 

  • Real Quartz usually shows small inclusions. These inclusions will be random and unique instead of uniform. 

  • Real Quartz will not show bubbles like glass will. If it does have an air bubble it will also contain a moving water bubble and is then known as Enhydro Quartz. 

  • Real Quartz crystals are hexagonal. They have six facets and come to a six-sided pyramid at the top. However, some Quartz may not be fully formed and can show a three-sided pyramid at the top. 

    • Real Quartz is a 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It will not be scratched by glass, a steel knife, a penny, or anything lower than a 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. You can scratch glass with Quartz but not vice versa. 

    • Real Quartz will always have a white streak. Despite its outwardly gray appearance, Real Unakite will have a white or clear powder in the crystal streak test. 

    • Real Quartz will show rough edges at its fracture points instead of a smooth plane. It may also show a conchoidal fracture, which is a swirling pattern. 

    • Real Quartz is cooler than glass or plastic. Both Real Quartz and glass are cool to the touch, but glass will warm up much faster than Quartz. Plastic is much warmer to the touch than Quartz or glass. 

    clear faceted plastic and faceted glass bottle stoppers

    • The price for Real Quartz will be significantly higher than Fake Quartz. It takes a lot of work to mine, clean, polish, and shape Real Quartz, especially when retaining a large size.

    • Real Quartz is usually heavier than Fake Quartz. It is not mixed with glass or resins or contains air bubbles, so Real Quartz has more weight. 

    • Real Quartz will chip when dropped. Whereas glass will shatter. 

    • Real Quartz will not magnify words on paper whereas glass will magnify. However this is in debate as the magnification also depends on the curve of the stone and the angle the light flows through the Quartz. It is not a definitive test!

    • Real Quartz may fluoresce under UV light. This glowing phenomenon is found in some prized pieces.

    • Real Quartz has a specific gravity between 2.59 and 2.63. Here is a video on how to measure your stone's density at home. 

    • Real Quartz has a refractive index range of 1.544 to 1.553. This test requires a refractometer. 

    • Real Quartz is highly heat resistant. It has a high melting point at 3100 °F (1700°C), whereas glass melts around 2000°F (1100°C).
    Invest in a "Gem Tester" that can test for Real Quartz vs Glass specimens. Note that it will not tell the difference between Real Quartz and Synthetic Quartz. 
      clarified quartz phurba dagger and real quartz donut

      What is Clarified Quartz?

      Clarified Quartz is a reconstituted Quartz that is very clear like glass. It will not have the natural inclusions as Real Quartz does. In this process, Real Quartz is crushed, heated, and the inclusions are removed from the crystal. Reconstituted Quartz may be mixed with a small amount of glass. 

      Because it takes so much time and material to create polished stones and beads out of Real Quartz, Clarified Quartz is a substitute for those who don't want to use the cheapest option, glass. 

      Can I use Clarified Quartz in healing?

      Clarified Quartz still contains Quartz, so you can use it in crystal healing. Some healers believe Clarified Quartz only contains 50% of the energy of Real Quartz. Others love Clarified Quartz for its clarity, allowing them to focus on their goals and manifestations. 

      Just like any other crystal that has been altered, it is up to you as the healer to determine your preferences. If you are already working with polished stones, carved stones, or tumbled stones, you realize that they have already been manipulated from their raw state. 

      However, if you are working specifically with the energy of raw, unaltered stones, you are a crystal purist and you will want to use only Real Quartz. 

      Experiment and come to your own conclusions on Clarified Quartz. If it works for you, that's the most important part of healing!

      What is Synthetic Quartz?

      Synthetic Quartz has a purity of 99.999% which is not found in natural Quartz crystals. It is manufactured and vital in many industries that use semiconductors. Quartz conducts energy in a regular, accurate vibration, making it very useful in electronics. Electronics are growing and demand for synthetic Quartz is growing every day.  

      Synthetic Quartz is created in a heated furnace for half a year using a seed crystal. Natural Quartz is crushed, fractures and inclusions removed, melted, and recrystallizes on the seed crystal with heat. 

      Gemologists will be able to tell the presence of the Seed Quartz in the finished product to determine it if is real or not. 

      sheila of satin crystals holding real quartz wand and glass martini

      Why is Real Quartz preferred among healers?

      While collectors or people working with Quartz in other industries may prefer their Quartz "flawless," Real Quartz is preferred among healers. Real Quartz contains the full energy of the earth. It allows healers to glaze into the unique planes and inclusions, whisking them away into a world beyond this world.

      Real Quartz comes in varieties as diverse as humankind, as unique as your aura. Want to be blown away by rainbows in your crystal? Mesmerized by phantom inclusions? Activated with red flames? Choose Real Quartz and feel the energy of the Universe. 

      Where can I buy real Quartz?

      We have your natural Real Quartz and Clarified Quartz stones at Satin Crystals. Check out the Quartz Collection or shop right here on the blog: 

       

      Your Quartz Journeys

      Disclaimer: The metaphysical information provided is for entertainment only. See full disclosure.

      Filed in: clear quartz, quartz, real vs fake stones
      Previous article Jewelry for Throat Chakra Healing

      Comments

      Sheila Satin - July 25, 2022

      Hi Kirsta, yes we sell genuine gemstones.

      We also have some that are man-made but they are all indicated in the listings themselves. Just a few are man-made for example Opalite, Goldstone, and Hematine.

      When you were in doubt, you are always welcome to ask us by email.

      Krista - July 25, 2022

      Hi, your crystals are genuine?

      Sheila Satin - September 21, 2021

      Hi John, we are a boutique shop, so we have select items in small quantities. You may want to check with wholesalers at gem fairs or in Tucson where they have the bulk stones for sale!

      John - September 21, 2021

      Hello. I’m building hey 1600 square-foot yoga dance temple. I’m interested in putting crystals into the foundation when we pour it. Do you have any cost effective ways to do this? The crystals can be just small ones and in pieces and don’t have to be aesthetically perfect as they’re gonna be hidden anyways. But i want a lot of them! I wonder if I might be best off buying a large piece of quartz and breaking it up? Would love to hear any advice or suggestions.

      Sheila Satin - September 16, 2021

      Hi Kayla, I am not sure what the mountain side was made of, if it was something softer than Quartz, then it should scratch. To identify your crystal, you can get some tips here: https://satincrystals.com/pages/crystal-mineral-and-meteorite-identification

      Kayla - September 16, 2021

      I have a bunch of crystals that I got from the mountains but I found a “quarts”crystal on the ground and I tried scratching it on the mountain side and it didn’t do anything. Is it a real quarts.

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