Sedona Shop Owner Warns Buyers of Flood of Fake Crystals

Buyers in the crystal market are facing a surge in counterfeit products as social media drives record demand for gemstones. Jamie Inglett, owner of a crystal shop in Sedona, Ariz., said fakes are now common in both retail stores and at gem shows.

The popularity of crystals has exploded online. The hashtag #crystals has generated 20 billion views on TikTok. Inglett, who has 215,106 followers on Instagram, opened her physical storefront in Sedona after building an online following. She noted that consumers do not need to believe in healing properties to appreciate the aesthetic value of the stones.

Shannon Wimberly, a collector for several years, said she has purchased fake crystals in the past. She now examines purchases more closely to avoid errors. “I absolutely know I’ve run into getting fake ones, so I started scrutinizing other things more and more,” Wimberly said.

Inglett identified two main types of misleading products. The first category includes lab-grown crystals sold as natural stones. She displayed a lab-grown crystal purchased from a local shop for more than $100 that retails online for between $5 and $20. “You’ll see hundreds of these, depending on the store. They’ll all look about the same,” Inglett said. The second category consists of synthetic items made from plastic or glass.

To identify fakes, Inglett recommends asking sellers for specific details. “Asking the shop, where is this from? And then they should at least be able to tell you the country of origin, if not the actual mine name,” Inglett said. Physical tests can also reveal counterfeits. Glass imitations produce a different sound when tapped, do not feel cold to the touch, and display unnatural dye patterns. Fake moldavite lacks natural grooves and textures and appears too uniform in shape.

Inglett stated that lab-grown crystals are acceptable if sellers disclose their origin. She emphasized that buyers must verify authenticity to avoid paying premium prices for synthetic materials.

“As a consumer you really kind of have to do your own research,” Inglett said.