Fakes, Fakes + More Crystal Fakes

Parent Géry / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

BUT, the key point I’m trying to demonstrate here is that true-blue (pun always intended) larimar is MOSTLY blue. The very reason it has that Latin root “mar” in it describes it as blue.

What’s causing this “red larimar” confusion is an allegedly new red-colored pectolite find from South Africa that some sellers have taken to classifying as “Red Larimar”. Ummm, no. It’s a red pectolite.

Plain and simple.

Yes, blue Larimar is a pectolite (a type of silicate mineral), but it’s the blue variety with its own name. The red pectolite mineral has a completely different energy imprint than larimar. So, saying this red pectolite is “Red Larimar” is like saying smokey quartz is “brown amethyst” because both amethyst and smokey quartz are both quartz.  No, it’s smokey quartz. It has a different chemical makeup, a different way that it was “baked” in Mama Earth, and a completely different energetic signature to it.
So, I definitely classify “red larimar” as a total misrepresentation; simply a new confusing term on the market taking advantage of the fact that it’s of the same mineral family. Geez, if we’re gonna go that route, there’s going to be a whole lot more confusing mineral representations coming down the pike! Let’s just put the brakes on this sorta thing now.

Heads up!: Apparently, some are also marketing a “Pink Larimar”. Check out this screenshot I took:

What in the hell?

There’s so much wrong with this above listing title, I don’t even know where to begin!

Fake Ametrine

Ametrine is quite visually as well as energetically appealing because it contains the properties of both amethyst + citrine in one crystal. Fascinating, right?!

So from a geological description; its a single crystal with both amethyst and citrine color zones; obviously where it gets its name from.  

Prices should be high for a natural piece since they are EXTREMELY RARE and only are found in Bolivia (from the Anahí mine) and they’re quite difficult to mine.

BE AWARE: In the ’80s, scientists figured out how ametrine crystals develop in nature. And with that info, they became quite successful at replicating the process in the lab. Most of the ametrine on the market is synthetic, lab-created in Russia. Here’s all the info on that.

Gemsphoto (www.finesell.ru) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

I wish I could give you some easy testing methods to ID this fake stuff but you’d need some super-advanced x-ray techniques + expensive gemological equipment. If you still wanna totally geek out on HOW to do that, here you go.

CAUTION: At first I used to think to myself: “If you really want a piece of ametrine in your collection, locate a totally natural crystal point. It’s not a guarantee but the odds are much better that it’s gonna be natural than a cut, faceted gemstone.” But since, I’ve learned that even with a natural-looking ametrine crystal point, it’s still possible for someone to synthetically apply a process or lab-grown it to fake the separate color-zoning and mimic genuine ametrine. 

It’s a total shame — but I just can’t trust ANY of the ametrine on the market to be natural at this point.

Bottom line is: seems that MOST of the ametrine for sale out there is indeed fake.

Fake Malachite

Wait! What? They’re faking malachite now?

REAL: All-natural fibrous malachite is hard to fake

FAKE: See how we only have two shades of green swirled (not botryoidal-patterned by the way!) with black? Clearly fake! And this was being sold on eBay as natural malachite.

Actually, this fake malachite racket’s been going on for a while because it’s one of the easiest minerals to mimic while fetching a good price; good ole’ greed. As long as it’s labeled as “fake, synthetic, faux” or the like then I have no problem with this. But don’t try to pass this stuff off as the real thing!

Then there’s also “Red Malachite” that I blogged about before.

Quick ID Tips:

• Depending on the angle the malachite is cut or broken off at, it may display a very complex botryoidal pattern (circular, bubbly pattern — see below photo) that’s quite hard to replicate.
• A cheap price = a red flag. Real malachite ain’t cheap. Of course, this is no guarantee but it’s something to pay attention to.
• Usually, a streak test will ID genuine malachite for you. It will leave behind a pale green powdery streak on a porcelain tile. If you want to get all geo-geeky with me, there are some more “involved” but easy-to-do at-home tests I teach in my Crystal Savvy Class Elective.
• Oftentimes, the fake malachites (be especially careful with beads!!) are made of glass, polymer clay, plastics, resins, or any combo of any of those with various dyes swirled in. (Often these swirls and bands will be almost black; a key indicator of a fake! Actually, any black is usually a clear fake-flag. Real malachite is made of up many hues and tones of green, not just 2 or 3 shades plus black, as fakes often have.)
• If it’s a plastic/resin combo, then it will burn when you hold a flame up to it, and it’ll stink!
• Also, compare its weight to a similar in size natural piece. Malachite is quite dense and weighty due to its copper content. Whereas the glass, polymer, or plastic fakes will be relatively light.

Smoothed + polished but REAL malachite. Note all the many shades of green and absence of black? Plus very complex botryoidal (circular) markings? All tell-tale signs of the real deal. 🙂

Do Your Thing

Can you tell I’m a wee bit passionate about crystal fakes?

If you are too and want to know more about the mineral kingdom so you can be confident in what you’re getting then subscribe to my newsletter and get my FREE handy downloadable Crystal Fakes Reference eBook. This is the EXACT reference you need in order to navigate the gem shows, crystal shops, and eBay, get the REAL thing, and get what you pay for. Don’t get scammed or duped into buying FAKES… unless that’s exactly what you want! Sign up below:

Now, if you choose to work with man-made crystals and you enjoy them just fine, or it’s been working for you… as I always say:

“keep on ‘truckin’”. Don’t change a thing!

I just want us all to have the geo-knowledge first. Then you can make a well-informed decision regarding how you choose to work with these “stones”. Always use your common sense and the best protection from this is to be well-informed yourself.

And as always…

Buyer Beware: Who are you buying from? Are they reputable? Do they know what they’re talking about? Are you doing your own due diligence + research? The best way to protect yourself is through education.

We all love the beautiful jewels that mama earth creates and you don’t know what you don’t know… until you know better. So, I hope you’ve learned something new here today. If you feel passionate about this too, please share this post in any way you prefer. (***There are some handy “SHARE” buttons you can use at the bottom of this post***).

Have you seen any of these or new crystal fakes or misrepresentations recently? Please share in the comments below!

Crystal Blessings,