Amethyst Identification Guide: 5 At-Home Professional Tests
Introduction: My First “Fake” Amethyst
Do you remember the first crystal you ever bought? Mine was a small piece of “amethyst” I ordered online. It looked amazing in the photos, but when it arrived, something felt off. It was too light, almost like plastic, and the color looked more like candy than a natural stone. I had spent $50 on a fake.
That mistake pushed me to learn how to identify real amethyst. Today, I’ll share five simple tests that you can do at home. No lab equipment needed—just your senses and a few everyday tools.
Test 1: The Temperature Test
Real amethyst feels cool to the touch. Place it against your cheek or lips, and you’ll notice a steady, lasting coolness—like a smooth river stone. Fake glass or plastic will usually feel like room temperature.
Pro Tip: Gemologists often use this quick method because quartz (the mineral family of amethyst) conducts heat differently from glass.
Test 2: The Inclusion Test (Nature’s Fingerprint)
Hold your crystal up to the light and take a closer look:
Natural amethyst: You’ll often see wispy clouds, tiny “cotton-like” veils, or mineral specks inside. These natural inclusions formed deep underground.
Glass imitations: They often contain small, round bubbles left over from the factory mold.
Watch this video for a clear side-by-side comparison:
This connects with what we discussed in Amethyst Crystal Meaning: History, Healing & Symbolism — natural inclusions aren’t flaws, they’re proof of authenticity.
Test 3: The Hardness Test
Amethyst ranks a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Glass is only about 5.5. That means:
A real amethyst can scratch glass.
Glass cannot scratch amethyst.
Safety Warning: Use a corner of your amethyst and lightly drag it across the bottom of a glass jar. You should see a scratch on the glass—but not on your crystal. Don’t press too hard; a gentle scratch is enough.
Test 4: The Color Zoning Test
Nature doesn’t color evenly. Real amethyst often shows variations: darker tips, lighter edges, or bands of violet and white.
Fake stones or dyed glass usually have one flat, uniform shade.
Test 5: The UV Light Test
Shine a small UV flashlight on your stone in a dark room. Many natural amethyst pieces show a faint whitish-blue glow. Imitations often don’t react.
Why Is Amethyst Purple?
The purple color doesn’t come from “earth dye.” It’s created by trace amounts of iron (Fe³⁺) combined with natural radiation inside the Earth. This process creates subtle color zoning and unique inclusions—details that imitations can’t perfectly copy.
For a scientific deep dive, check out:
Call to Action: Don’t Guess, Test
See? Identifying genuine amethyst isn’t that hard. With these five simple methods, you’ll never need to rely on guesswork again.
Still unsure about one of your crystals? Share a photo in the comments—I and other crystal enthusiasts would be happy to help.
Or, if you’d like a full breakdown of crystal identification techniques, grab our free guide:
👉 The Ultimate Crystal Identification Handbook
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FAQ
Q: Can dyed quartz be sold as amethyst?
A: Yes, sometimes clear quartz is dyed purple to imitate amethyst. Look for overly bright, uniform color as a warning sign.
Q: Is it safe to do the scratch test on jewelry?
A: No. Always test on a raw piece or an unpolished edge—never on a finished gemstone in jewelry.
Q: What’s the easiest test for beginners?
A: The temperature and inclusion tests are the safest, simplest ways to spot a fake.
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